Meet Renato Aruffo de Oliveira

We had the good fortune of connecting with Renato Aruffo de Oliveira and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Renato, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
One of the most important lessons my career has taught me is the value of persistence and not giving up, no matter how tough things get. In the fast-changing world of entertainment, it’s easy to feel frustrated or lose motivation when facing challenges. But I’ve learned that the key is to keep moving forward, even when progress feels slow or setbacks happen.

What really helps is not letting failures bring you down. Instead, I see every mistake or attempt as a chance to learn and grow. Each challenge pushes you to improve, and staying focused on your long-term goals is what makes all the difference. The most important thing is to keep moving, learn from every experience, and trust that each step brings you closer to where you want to be.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art is all about bringing stories to life through characters, visual effects, and immersive environments. What sets me apart is my ability to work across many stages of production, from creating detailed 3D models and special effects to handling technical aspects like rigging, lighting, and engine optimizations. I enjoy mastering both the artistic and technical sides of game development and real-time entertainment, which allows me to contribute to a wide range of projects in different capacities.

I’m most proud of the diverse projects I’ve had the chance to work on, from the character work and transformation effects I created for She-Hulk to the in-engine quality, lighting, and creature effects I developed for Prey. Each project has allowed me to grow as an artist and has brought its own unique challenges.

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. The entertainment industry is tough, and there were plenty of moments of doubt and frustration. One of the biggest challenges was learning to adapt quickly to new tools, techniques, and technologies, which seem to change constantly. Persistence has been key. I’ve learned to embrace every failure as a learning opportunity, stay open-minded, and keep pushing forward. Over time, I’ve built a strong foundation that allows me to take on new challenges with confidence.

The biggest lessons I’ve learned are to not be afraid of failure and to keep going, no matter what. It’s easy to get discouraged, but every setback is a chance to learn something new. It’s also important to stay open to feedback and keep improving.

What I want people to know about my journey is that it’s been driven by passion and a lot of persistence. I’ve worked hard to develop a range of skills, which helps me take on different roles in projects. I’m always excited to keep learning and growing as an artist, and I look forward to bringing creative ideas to life in every project I work on.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting LA from Brazil for a week, I’d make sure we hit all the best spots to give them an unforgettable experience. We’d start with a visit to the Griffith Observatory for the iconic city and Hollywood views, followed by some great food and drinks at bars around West Hollywood to kick off the week.

We’d spend a fun day at Universal Studios, enjoying the rides and attractions. A day trip up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu would be perfect for some beach time, lunch at Malibu Farm on the pier, and catching a beautiful sunset.

We’d also explore Santa Monica and Venice Beach, checking out the pier and the Venice boardwalk. Another must-do is a classic LA experience: Korean barbecue. I’d take them to one of my favorite spots in Koreatown for a feast of grilled meats and all the sides.

Since my friend would be coming from Brazil, we’d also hit the Citadel Outlets for some shopping and sightseeing, which would be a great way to enjoy LA’s shopping scene and find some great deals. It would be the perfect way to wrap up an amazing week in LA!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to give a big shoutout to my parents, who have always supported me throughout my journey. They believed in me from the start and encouraged me to pursue my passion for art and storytelling, even when the path was uncertain. Their constant support, love, and belief in me have made all the difference, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

I also want to thank my brother, who first introduced me to drawing and art when we were kids. His influence really sparked my creativity and set me on this path toward game design and special effects.

My time at Gnomon School was another major turning point in my career. The incredible instructors and talented classmates pushed me to experiment with new techniques and develop my skills further, giving me the foundation I needed to grow professionally. I’m also deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with amazing teams at The Third Floor on projects like She-Hulk, Prey, and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. Collaborating with such talented individuals has taught me so much and helped shape the artist I am today.

Lastly, I’d like to recognize the creators behind the games that first inspired me, like God of War, The Last of Us, and Metal Gear Solid. Their storytelling and artistry pushed me to set higher goals for myself and continue pushing my own creative boundaries.

Website: renatoaruffo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.aruffo/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/renato-aruffo-de-oliveira-91079523/

Twitter: https://x.com/RenatoAruffo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@renatoaruffo

Other: https://www.artstation.com/renatoaruffo