Eva Munnich: 3D artist Eva Munnich: 3D artist - The CreativeMindClass Blog
Eva Munnich, an animator and illustrator from London. As a visual artist, she creates cute 2D/3D characters. She was a film student at art school in Germany as well as worked on many different animation-related projects. After experiencing the absence of any creative challenges, Eva actively sought new ways to stretch her wings. A few years ago, she traveled to London to explore its thriving, vibrant art scene, which led her to explore a new venture into character and illustration.
Below you can read about how Eva changed her path and find out the details about the unique X-Files animation she worked together with Phil Brookes.
About seeking challenges and changing creative career direction
Before I moved to London in the year 2017, I lived in a tiny town in Germany and worked in the field of After Effects animator. There weren't many creative challenges and my abilities slowed down quickly and I became very unhappy.
Moving from London and getting acquainted with everyone who is a wonderful animator in the city gave me an enormous boost. I felt like: "Damn, I'm running with the cool kids now I need to crank up my stuff. "
After visiting the 2019 Pictoplasma event, I made the choice to become part of that world of quirky character designers. The realization came quickly that my characters function best in 3D which is something I'm learning from scratch, which is hard but also very enjoyable!
My work caught the eye of Greenhouse Animation, which is now representing me as director for them.
About the X-Files project as well as the mystery of disappearing socks
One of the initial clients I worked on with my brand new-found style is my Covered by Lemonade clip.
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Lemonade Insurance approached me to create a work for their ongoing Instagram artist collaboration. Because the company is a content insurer and the concept of adorable household items that are in trouble came to mind. This is how the X-Files concept came to fruition.
The last winter, I was on lockdown rewatching all of the x-files, so involving a classic alien abduction seemed to be logical. The problem was that all characters had to be in the same spot to be in the same spot to close the animation loop so none of them could really be abducted. That is when I had an idea of having the washing machine pop open as well as the single pink sock flying up to the UFO.
While modeling an UFO while giving the UFO small legs, I realized how everything would get sucked into. The UFO has lost its sock and is now regaining it!
I find that creating a good story is best done by mixing different things that seem unconnected at first. Making something unplanned happen and to give inanimate objects an identity by putting silly faces on them is the most fun to me!
About the animation workflow
My work process starts with sketches of the characters and an outline of the story. I developed it into an animatic for Lemonade to convey the concept as well as the time. Then, I get into Cinema 4D and model all my characters. It is also the time I try out different the materials I use and create style frames.
Once the animation in Cinema 4D is done, I switch over to After Effects for final touches and compositing. The light beam that is pink, for instance, is created with After Effects.
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The sound effects, and working with Phill Brookes
It was the first time I did with a sound engineer, Phil Brookes and he truly took it to the next level! The work he did elevates the entire footage into the next level, and connects everything perfectly! It was an incredible undertaking to create, and I hope to make many more like it!
We've spoken to Phil about the process of creating sound effects to be used in The X-Files project. Read the conversation by Phil Brookes.
In the present I'm learning more methods to rig characters and to create stunning textures using Cinema 4D and Redshift. I'm trying to combine 2D animation with 3D, and am excited to find out where my character design journey will take me in the future!
Tips for visual artists on how to change a career direction
Some suggestions I have to anyone wanting to change directions:
- Choose the method that fits your ideas best and learn about it! Motion design can feel like you're required to learn everything there is. However, that's not the case.
- Take your weirdness seriously and never downplay it. Your uniqueness is yours. Your artistic voice is unique.
- Accept your thoughts. Whatever it is that's going on in your head, embrace it and make your own!
We're delighted by Eva's artistic work, the path she's on, and the changes she's made. We at CreativeMindClass we believe that creators are able to create paths similar to Play-Doh and make them look beautiful. We're loving to see ambitions and bold people succeeding. Thank you for sharing your story, Eva!
Go to Instagram to find more 3D character animations and keep track of Eva's upcoming projects. There is a greater selection of her work on her website.
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