Meet Vania Ariffin | Creative Director

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

Hi Vania, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I’ve never viewed myself as a risk-taker. The decisions I’ve made throughout my life have been driven by my passion for art and the wish to explore the world. However, reflecting on my journey, I can see that these choices have often involved significant risks. From pursuing a career in the arts and relocating to a new country, to ultimately leaving a stable job to push my creative boundaries, I faced numerous uncertainties. It wasn’t always easy, but I’ve found that when I remain true to myself, things tend to work out for the best.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
For me, art must always be relatable and accessible. I love creating things that can be enjoyed by people from all walks of life. My line of work is also highly collaborative, so I always strive to find a balance between delivering the brief and still infusing my designs with passion and integrity.

I stumbled into the world of television set design by chance. For a long time, I worked solely as a 3D artist, creating visualizations for production designers. Initially, I view the work was a necessity, but over time, I developed respect and love for the industry and the craft. I gradually moved up in my career and ended up leading the 3D department, managing a team of artists and producing renderings for large-scale shows. Yet, I often felt something was missing and found myself dreaming of designing my own sets.

It wasn’t until much later that I mustered the courage to carve out my own creative path. Leaving a position I held for nearly seven years was the toughest decision of my career. It was daunting, but necessary.

Now, I’m fully immersed in experiential and live event industry, working as a creative director at an agency. Fortunately, much of the skills I developed during my career in television translate well to my current role. As an avid gamer, I’ve enjoyed working for companies like Activision and Riot Games. Designing marketing activations for all the video game IPs I grew up with has been a dream come true. Choosing a creative career has proven to be a rewarding decision, allowing me to experience new, wonderful things and travel the world.

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?
There are so many things to see in LA and having lived here for twelve years, I have my favorite go-to spots. For outdoor activities, I recommend exploring Venice Beach and hiking the Los Liones Trail. I am also a fan of anything old Hollywood and movie related, so from the classic studio tour at Universal Studios to shopping for vintage movie props and wardrobe at It’s A Wrap! Burbank, I’ll have you covered. For food, Borneo Eatery in Alhambra is my top choice for Indonesian cuisine; their Hakka noodles and Nasi Campur are most delicious and authentic. If you’re into fashion, Wilder LA on Sunset Blvd has an impressive collection of secondhand jeans and clothing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am today without the mentorship of James Connelly and Lydia Smyth. Their incredible talent, strong work ethic, and extensive experience have motivated me to improve my skills every day. Everything I know about design and production comes from them, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such inspiring individuals.

Website: https://castlev.artstation.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castlevaniaaa/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaniaariffin/