Member Profile: Patricia Patalinjug
1. What do you do, and how long have you been doing it?
I currently work as a 2D Animator for the Center for Building Knowledge at NJIT, and I animate explainer videos for their programs. I also recently illustrated a children’s book called “Sara’s New Country and New Friend”, written by Daniela Palacios.
I will be seeking jobs and experience as a 3D Character Artist! I spent my time at NJIT learning the 3D character pipeline, and I am able to model, rig, texture and animate a character for either film, animation or games! Since I also have a 2D background, I will also look into concepting or 2D animation opportunities.
2. What was your first job?
My current 2D Animation job might be my first “real” job, but I have been a freelance Graphic Designer and Illustrator since I was in high school! I used to take commissions from clients on Tumblr and Instagram, where I would usually illustrate portraits, the client’s original characters, or even fan art from the shows trending at the time. I also designed some logos for local businesses in New Jersey, such as Planted Eats in Montville, NJ and Ivy Cottage Press in Nutley, NJ.
3. Where did you complete your formal education?
I graduated from NJIT with a BA in Digital Design in May 2023!
4. How did you first get involved with ACM SIGGRAPH?
I got involved right away in my freshman year at NJIT! The NJIT SIGGRAPH student chapter was advertised as the main professional resource for Digital Design majors, and I didn’t want to miss a single opportunity they offered. NJIT SIGGRAPH did not disappoint, and I eventually became Vice Chair in 2021 and Chair in 2022! Through the student chapter, I attended the virtual SIGGRAPH Conference in 2020, Vancouver in 2022, Los Angeles in 2023, and soon, SIGGRAPH Asia in Sydney! I hope to continue staying involved however I can in the future!
5. What is your favorite memory of a SIGGRAPH conference?
The Student Volunteer Closing Ceremony for SIGGRAPH LA 2023 turned out to be a casual party that also included a talent show! I participated in the talent show and sang karaoke, and I had so much fun watching the other volunteers show off their own unique talents, which ranged from juggling, to voice impersonations, and even to reciting six minutes of a SpongeBob episode from memory! I was crying from laughing so hard! The SVs, TLs and SVSC members that I met in LA are so creative and passionate, and I’m so honored to have been a part of this amazing group of people!
6. Describe a project that you would like to share with the ACM SIGGRAPH community.
My thesis project is an animated short called “Soul Food” and is about a girl whose soul almost gets eaten by a monster, but she befriends the monster by cooking for him instead! The story and designs are based heavily on ancient Filipino culture and folklore, and I also plan to use this story to show off Filipino cuisine! I was only able to complete a shortened version of the story in school, but I would love to produce the rest in the future! I already have finished 3D models of the main characters, as well as the entire concept and storyboards. I have considered animating this in 2D instead, or even blending 2D and 3D, but we’ll see in the future!
7. If you could have dinner with one living or non-living person, who would it be and why?
Emma Chamberlain. I’ve had her YouTube videos or podcasts playing in the background since high school, and she has both comforted and motivated me through my toughest projects all the way until college graduation. We’re also the same age, and I think we’d get along because we both work so hard on what we do!
8. What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m a musician! I play piano, ukulele, guitar, drums and I sing!
9. From which single individual have you learned the most in your life? What did they teach you?
I credit so much of my growth as an artist to Theresa Lappostato, my high school art teacher. On top of teaching me so many technical skills, she also had the most impact on my decision to pursue an animation career. The most important thing she taught me is that art is everywhere and art is relevant. She never once doubted my ability to become successful, and having her encouragement when I needed it most has brought me so far!
10. Is there someone in particular who has influenced your decision to work with ACM SIGGRAPH?
Glenn Goldman. “SIGGRAPH” was probably the third word he said on our first day of class as freshmen. No one knew what it meant, but three conferences later, I’m grateful that he does so much to advertise it to students, especially early on!
11. What can you point to in your career as your proudest moment?
In 2017, my sophomore year of high school, I entered the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards at the recommendation of my art teachers. I submitted a 1-minute animation to the Editorial Cartoon category. At the time I thought it was worth a try, but I did not have high expectations. I thought, “What are the odds? There are so many talented students competing and their pieces are probably so much stronger.”
I ended up winning the National Gold Medal and was invited to the Awards Ceremony at Carnegie Hall! It was surreal, and I was so proud of myself for walking on such a famous stage to receive a medal for my animation! This was the first time I truly believed I could beat the odds and make it as an artist, and this victory gave me the confidence to accomplish everything else I am proud of and to continue to achieve more!