Think Tank Spotlights: Reflections with Simin Farrokh Ahmadi

I first met Simin F. Ahmadi (aka Simba), when members of the Think Tank and Warner Bros. Discovery teams surprised her with the news that she would be a recipient of the Doers and Dreamers ‘23 Scholarship. Within a few moments, Simba had every person on that Zoom call in tears as she expressed how significant of an opportunity this would be for her. I got the sense that her passion for art was something beyond a gateway to her dream career; it was about reconnecting with her past, expressing who she is, and making her family proud.

At the conclusion of the above-mentioned call, my eyes sufficiently puffy, Simba declared “I will not let you down” – perhaps speaking to herself more than anyone else. Now, after completing her CG Asset Creation for Films or Games program one thing is evident: no one has been let down. Simba’s work speaks for itself. An intense blend of technical knowledge, self reflection and a keen eye for detail, the portfolio that Simba’s produced during her time at Think Tank Online is remarkable.

Having Simba graduate is a bit bittersweet for me personally. I had just started at Think Tank when we called her to share the news about the scholarship, and it stuck as a defining “this is why I do it” moment. So, this Artist Spotlight is particularly special, and I hope by reading the below interview you’ll too get an appreciation for the person behind the art!

Think Tank: Let's start at the beginning. How did you first get interested in art?
Simon F. Ahmadi: My journey in art began in my early teenage years, participating in various artistic activities at school. This passion led to a national award in dramatic arts. Opting for a specialized education, I attended an art conservatory instead of a traditional high school, where I studied Graphic Design. Subsequently, I earned a certificate in Fine Arts, which prepared me for pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Interior Design and a Master of Arts in Animation.

TT: How did you discover Think Tank?
SA: With the support of my husband, an amazing artist and storyteller, I discovered Think Tank. He encouraged me to leave a job where I wasn't thriving and pursue my passion for 3D art, particularly for games. Given my background in Interior Design and Archviz, I was specifically looking for a school that could help me channel my existing talents into game environments. Think Tank, being one of the top schools in the industry, was my first choice.

TT: What are three things you love about learning Online?
SA: First and foremost, the flexibility of Think Tank's program was a major advantage. I could learn and practice at times that fit my schedule perfectly. Second, having continuous access to classes and feedback allowed me to review materials at my own pace. And third, the online format meant there was a large, online community, and Think Tank never disappoints when it comes to supporting your works, offering feedback and encouragement on major platforms. Although the workload can sometimes feel overwhelming, the chats and Discord servers ensure that you're never alone—there's always someone online to help out!

TT: Your 3D work contains themes of nostalgia, personal history, and memory. Can you explain the role of these themes in your art?
SA: A significant part of my life has been shaped by my experience as an immigrant. During my teenage years, my family and I moved from Iran to the UAE due to my father’s job. This transition left me feeling as though a piece of me was left behind. I often dream about my childhood home, vividly recalling every detail and memory, as if trying to freeze time and stay connected to that part of my history. When I think of home, it is always that place which comes to mind.

TT: Your Final Term Projects are consistently stunning. How about you go through each and breakdown your process for creating each!

Term 1 Final Project (Fundamentals)
SA: My Term 1 Final Project, supervised by Derrick Sesson was titled “Persian Afternoon”. As an Iranian artist, I was determined to showcase the unique beauties of Persian art and culture to the world. I’m not exaggerating if I say I spent 4 months looking for the perfect inspiration, that’s before I even started my journey at Think Tank! I finally chose a beautiful oil on canvas painting by Iranian artist, Manouchehr Malekshahi. Spring cleaning or Khaneh-Tekani (literally “Shaking the house”) is an Iranian tradition that falls on the first day of spring, which is Nowruz or Persian new year. This painting reminded me of our home as a kid, when we would clean everything thoroughly, and for a few days, objects would end up in odd places, like the rug on the armchair! For me the most challenging aspects of this project were modeling the intricate wood carvings, and texturing the rug to match the concept precisely.

Despite these challenges, It turned out to be a great piece, and it was well received by industry experts, getting an Editor’s Choice badge from The Rookies, and two interviews from 80.lv and The Rookies Blog. Something to be proud of! Software used: Maya, Mari, V-ray, Xgen, Mudbox, Photoshop, Davinci Resolve.

Term 2 Final Project (Intermediate)
As I chose to specialize in props and environments for games, I realized that creating damage and imperfections is actually a true art - and a challenging one! I still wanted to create something meaningful to me, and after a lot of research, I found “A Day in Heaven” by the Iranian master of hyper-realism, Wahed Khakdan. Upon selecting this piece, I discovered that Khakdan’s work often revolves around themes of nostalgia and memories, making it a perfect fit for me. By adding a few personal touches, like my siblings’ toys, old Iranian newspapers and other items from my childhood, it became another piece of my personal history. This project marked my first attempt at creating a game-ready environment, involving optimization, modularity, baking, engine setup and material creations, under the supervision of Sergei Panin.

Software used: Maya, Unreal Engine, Substance 3D Painter, Designer & Sampler, Zbrush, Marvelous Designer, Photoshop, and Premiere.  

Term 3 Final Project (Advanced)
I have always been in awe of Persian architecture, particularly those from the Safavid era. For my Advanced term, I attempted to replicate one of the most iconic structures in Kashan, Iran: Aminoddoleh Caravanserai, built in 1863 by Ustad Ali Maryam. The most challenging part was deciphering the construction techniques of the original structure. I went through numerous trials and errors and an extensive amount of research for this. I am very thankful to Jason Gullion for all his support on this project.

“Rhymes & Remedies” is probably my most personal piece to date. Mentored by Nikhil Kedige and inspired by an illustration by Marlowe Lune, it instantly reminded me of our little library, filled with books where we spent countless hours reading and enjoying. I wanted to capture the warm and safe feeling of that environment and incorporate my dad’s poems into it. This became the core goal of the project. Gradually, it evolved into a tribute to how my parents inspired and encouraged me to become an artist. Both my mom and dad have worked in healthcare for most of their lives, yet they are artists at heart. Nikhil significantly helped me with the storytelling aspects, encouraging me to think backwards and create the reel from the beginning, then develop and refine the assets for it. I am incredibly grateful for his guidance, which helped bring this deeply personal project to life.

Software used: Maya, Unreal Engine, Marvelous Designer, Substance 3D Painter, Designer & Sampler, Zbrush, Marmoset Toolbag, Photoshop, and Premiere. 

TT: Do you feel prepared to enter the job market?
SF: You never really feel 100 percent ready, because technology is always advancing faster than you can keep up, and artists have to keep themselves up to date at all times. Though, I have to say, my studies have given me the confidence to see myself as a capable artist, and I am confident l’ll bring a lot to the table wherever I end up.

TT: What is your dream job and/or dream studio?
SF: My dream job is to become a prop/ environment artist at a top game company where I can create extraordinary immersive environments. Bandai Namco, Ubisoft and Eidos are at the top of my wishlist, and I will keep creating until I achieve my goal of joining one of them.

TT: Always a silly question: where do you see yourself in 10 years?
SF: Looking ahead 10 years seems like a long journey. I'm not sure how long it will take, but I'm determined to become a principal artist in AAA games someday, no matter how much effort I have to put in.

TT: Anything else you’d like to add?
SF: I would like to thank Warner Bros. Discovery Access Canada and the incredible Think Tank family for giving me the chance to find my voice and redefine myself as an artist. If I could, I would gladly do this program 100 more times, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone interested in game art, VFX or CG in general.

Simba is a Montréal-based Iranian artist specializing in Environments for Games. If you want to take a closer look at her work, be sure to check out her Reel or follow her Socials below:
Artstation
LinkedIn
Instagram
The Rookies