We had the good fortune of connecting with Rain Rouhani and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rain, how do you think about risk?
For me, taking risks has been an integral part of my personal and professional development. I firmly believe that without embracing these challenges, I would never have uncovered my true potential. Failure, rather than being something to fear, is a testament to the courage it takes to step into the unknown. I don’t see failure as a bad thing. Failing should be more encouraged because that means you had the courage to try something new, different or difficult.

Leaving Iran at the age of 18 was the first major leap of faith in my journey. Arriving in Paris, a city where I knew no one, was both exhilarating and terrifying. However, it was precisely this fear that drove me to adapt and grow. Each day was a new challenge, but I persisted, determined to carve out a place for myself in this unfamiliar environment.

At 20, I moved to Denmark, which beckoned me with its own set of obstacles. Yet, I embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly, knowing that it would push me further out of my comfort zone and teach me necessary skills in art that I needed. These experiences abroad were transformative, shaping my resilience and shaping my perspective on risk-taking.

Returning to France, I found myself torn between the comfort of familiarity and the allure of new horizons. Despite finally feeling settled, I knew that my dreams lay beyond the borders of my current surroundings. The decision to pursue my aspirations in the United States was daunting, but I knew that it was a risk worth taking.

My dream companies and events awaited me in the U.S., and I couldn’t ignore the pull towards these opportunities. The fear of failure paled in comparison to the fear of never knowing if I could achieve my dreams. So, I took the leap, knowing that it was the only way to truly test my potential.

We are given only one life to live, and tomorrow is never promised. This realization has fueled my willingness to embrace risk wholeheartedly. I constantly remind myself: what’s the worst that could happen? It’s this mindset that pushed me forward, encouraging me to seize every opportunity that comes my way.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The path that led me to where I am today was filled with bumps and challenges. Not only did I have to dedicate myself constantly to my art, but I also had to learn multiple languages, navigate life in five different countries, adapt to diverse cultures, enhance my communication skills, and tackle numerous other obstacles. However, I managed to overcome these challenges by believing in my dream.

In Iran my family and I used to go every weekend to our village in the mountains, it was very peaceful and beautiful. In the morning you would wake up with the sound of sheep with their bells going up the mountains and roosters screaming to wake up everyone! The trees were beautiful and you could pick fruits off of them that were warmed by the sun hitting them all day, and the smell of home cooked meals my mother used to make still makes my stomach growl to this day every time i think about it, even though it has been many years since I have been back.
The nights in my village were so peaceful and quiet, you could hear dogs howling in the distance, crickets chirping and bugs hitting the lamp trying to get close to the lights and when you looked up to the sky, it was full of bright stars. To this day I have never seen so many stars in the sky that I used to when I was a kid in our village in Iran. After dinner I would lay under the vast sky and look at the stars and say “I am going to make art for animation!” That was my dream from very early on and I am here today in the US working as a character artist and visual development artist for animation and games because I never gave up. Giving up was never an option.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I adore numerous aspects of LA, and one of them is the incredible food in the area. There’s a Korean fried chicken place in Hollywood I love called “Jesse Boy.” Their sandwiches and cauliflower bowls are simply delightful. Additionally, there are numerous charming cafes in the Larchmont area. Lastly, the delectable Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki from Chinchikurin defies description and simply must be tasted to be appreciated.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
In my journey to where I am today, I owe a debt of gratitude to countless people who have played a pivotal role in my growth. From mentors and friends to my partner and family, their support has been invaluable every step of the way.

My parents, in particular, have been unwavering in their sacrifice and encouragement. They have sacrificed so much for me to be able to come to America. I can never thank them enough. Their determination to see me succeed led them to make countless sacrifices, including being unable to visit me in America for the past five years, not being able to come here and missing even significant milestones like my graduation. Yet, they never stopped smiling and encouraging me to keep pursuing my dream and pushing through. My parents really showed me nothing but love and support.
Even though they may not fully grasp the intricacies of 3D art, they will still ask to see my work and listen to me explaining to them all about my workflow. I want to make them proud even though I know they already are. I think that keeps me going knowing I want to repay their kindness and show that all these sacrifices were not for no reasons.

I’d also like to express immense gratitude to Max Dayan, Director of Education at Gnomon School of Visual Effects, for consistently pushing me by always giving me the most honest critique and advice, and always believing that I can do better. His relentless push towards excellence propelled me to become a better artist because he believed in my potential. I felt a strong desire to make Max proud, knowing that his criticism came from a place of encouragement. I vividly recall the moment during graduation when I hugged Max, conveying an unspoken message of “I did it! I finally did it, Max!”

Furthermore, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Miguel Ortega, Film Director and instructor at Gnomon, who not only believed in my 3D work but also supported my 2D art. He showed me immense kindness and generously shared his wealth of knowledge by dedicating time to help me improve my portfolio. Additionally, I am indebted to Tran Ma for her invaluable mentorship. Tran consistently amazed me with her depth of knowledge and unwavering support, spending countless hours teaching me techniques to enhance my work and becoming such an inspirational mentor over the years.

Max Dayan, Tran Ma, and Miguel Ortega have served as role models whom I’ve looked up to, and I owe much of my success today to their guidance and mentorship.

Website: www.raincreates.com

Other: ArtStation: https://www.artstation.com/rain_rouhani

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