Caroline (Pricillia) Ng Talks Taking the Leap from New Zealand to L.A. to Build a 3D Career

Caroline (Pricillia) Ng’s path into the world of 3D art spans continents, disciplines, and some of the industry’s most recognizable studios. Originally from Auckland, New Zealand, she made the move to Los Angeles to study at Gnomon and quickly found her passion shifting from animation to character look development. In this interview, she reflects on that transformation, her experiences working with Blur, Aaron Sims Creative, Marvel, and Grinding Gear Games, and the importance of staying adaptable. Alongside her story, we’re showcasing a selection of her character work, from student and personal projects to industry credits.

Where did you grow up and what type of careers were common in your family?

I’m from Auckland, New Zealand. My family immigrated from Indonesia, and I was born in New Zealand. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, pursuing a career in the arts was a different path, and my family had their doubts initially.

You started your journey in digital design back in Auckland. What were you focused on early in your education and how did that transition into a more focused discipline?

I began with a digital design course that covered various aspects of animation and media, including modeling, 2D/3D animation, storyboarding, filming, VFX, and editing. It was a broad course, and I chose it with the goal of specializing in 3D animation. I did some small internships working in animation, however I still felt that my skills and knowledge were too limited. I needed specific training. I also realized later on that my passions were not actually in animating but creating the look and feel of characters and environments in 3D.

You moved from Auckland to Los Angeles in 2015 to study at Gnomon. That’s a significant change. How did you first hear about the school, and what motivated your decision to make such a big move?

I learned about Gnomon from googling "Best schools for 3D" but didn't seriously pursue the thought of going there until my friend was thinking about going too. I really wanted to pursue a career in animation, and I knew I had to go and study more. I'm glad I made the drastic change as I learned so much in two years! For example, we learned the ins and outs of Maya in 10 weeks at Gnomon, whereas it took me three years to learn Maya back in New Zealand and I only knew 30% of it.

My parents were hesitant about me moving at first, because they didn't want me to be so far away. They also weren't sure if my career path would work out, but now they say that sending me to Gnomon was the best thing they have done for me. I am so grateful that I was able to attend Gnomon.

How was that move? Is L.A. very different compared to Aukland? What are the things that you enjoyed and what struck you as culture shock?

Luckily the move was easy as I already had family friends and family there to help me settle. L.A. is very different from Auckland. Auckland is very laid back and small. I didn't know what real traffic was until I got to L.A. A 30-minute drive is supposed to be normal in L.A. In Auckland, it is something to complain about!

I enjoyed L.A.’s diverse culture and the ease of connecting with people. I liked that it was a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. The food was great! So many different types of cuisines I could try that I could not get in New Zealand. For me, nothing really struck me too much, but I think it was because I was too busy enjoying my time there.

I think I also had an easy time settling in because I quickly made such great friends at Gnomon. We saw each other every day, and we shared the same drive and passion for 3D. It's great to be surrounded by people who are just as passionate as you are. It definitely pushed me to be a better artist.

How did studying at Gnomon help with your job search? You worked at Blur, Aaron Sims Creative, and Tangerine Apps as short-term contracts. What was that process like?

We had our demo reels sent out by the Placement team at Gnomon during our second to last term. Blur Studios got back to them and asked if I would be interested in an internship. Around the same time that I started at Blur, Matt Millard (a fellow alum whose time at Gnomon overlapped with mine) reached out to me if I was interested in working at Aaron Sims. When I thought my time at Blur was coming to an end, I reached out to him again to see if the position was still available, and luckily it was! Gnomon’s Placement team helped me get a contract at Tangerine Apps after that. These were great experiences, and I got to meet amazing artists and see what it’s like to work in the professional world.

It’s amazing how many major studios you've worked with since graduating! Did you ever envision that for yourself?

I never imagined it would turn out this way, and sometimes I still can't believe that I get to do what I do for a living. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend Gnomon and be able to work at great companies and on remarkable projects.

How did the work with Marvel materialize? You worked on What if...?

Marvel Studios reached out to me after my resume came their way. Working on What If...? was an incredible experience. I had the opportunity to work off of designs by artists I admired and had followed on ArtStation while I was still studying. I learned a lot from the feedback I received. It was an unexpected and thrilling project. I remember doubting whether it was a scam when I first received the email.

You moved back to New Zealand and started working at Grinding Gear Games, a studio well known for the “Path of Exile” series. How did you get that gig and what is your role?

I think luck played a big role actually! It's always luck and timing on top of your portfolio. I had just changed my location on ArtStation to New Zealand. The next day, the Art Director was looking at portfolios of 3D Character Artists based in New Zealand. They asked me if I was interested in the job and if I was willing to do an art test and an interview. I didn’t have much games experience, so I learned a lot on the job (I initially wanted to continue with my texturing and look dev artist career path before they reached out.). I started as a 3D mid-level artist and worked my way to 3D Lead Character Modeler. I manage outsource, train artists if needed, look into any modeling/texturing problems, and I also still get to work on characters from time to time.

What advice could you give to aspiring artists and future graduates?

My advice to aspiring artists is to stay open and explore various aspects of 3D. What you think you want to do might be different than what you actually end up doing professionally. It doesn’t hurt to have a good depth of knowledge and skills in different areas. Having broad knowledge of 3D has helped me in the industry, as I’m able to point out specific problems coming from different areas of 3D.

For future graduates, really push yourself in your time at Gnomon. This is one of the few times you can do it and actually have the time. Work in the labs with your friends if you’re not doing that yet! I think working on my projects with friends really pushed me further, and having sets of eyes ready to give you constructive feedback is always great.

In order to survive, you have to keep learning! It can be hard to do when you need to juggle a job and everything else, but learning and practicing even just a little here and there will help. Don’t let yourself fall behind.

Caroline (Pricillia) Ng’s journey is a powerful example of what can happen when talent meets determination and the right support system. We’re proud to have been part of her path, from her early days honing her skills on campus to her work on major projects around the world. Her adaptability, creativity, and leadership continue to inspire us. Gnomon is honored to celebrate her accomplishments and share her story with our community.

About Gnomon

For over 25 years, Gnomon has educated many of the world’s best digital artists on its state-of-the-art campus in Los Angeles, California. Recognized as one of the top U.S. colleges in Forbes' 2023 rankings and called “the MIT of visual effects” by Fast Company magazine, Gnomon offers a variety of educational options to help students reach their goals in the entertainment industry, with certificate and degree programs, and over 100 individual courses. Our comprehensive programs, experienced faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities ensure that every student can achieve their full potential, just like Grayson. Gnomon's strong industry partnerships give students real-world experience and a competitive edge in the job market.