Lisa Faustmann, BA MA

About my job

At the moment, it’s difficult to plan anything, and so far I’ve learned that things almost always turn out differently than you expect. That’s why I can’t say where I’ll be in a year or what the future will look like. It’s possible that I’ll still be sitting in my two-room apartment in Berlin, or maybe I’ll be in a studio in Canada, France, or Timbuktu.

Things change quickly, but overall, work should simply be enjoyable. In my case, it is. Of course, there are always projects that don’t exactly make you want to dance with excitement—but that’s the case in every profession.

Still, it’s always a great feeling to see the final result and know how much work you put into it. I feel the passion for the path I’ve chosen every day, and I look forward to each new project.

What I do:

I work as a motion designer in the field of 2D and 3D animation. Currently, I’m working as a generalist artist, capable of handling everything from modeling to final rendering and solving all the challenges that arise along the way. Some aspects suit me better than others. My clients include animation studios that look for external freelancers to help deliver projects.

Why I love my job:

One moment I’m working on an animation in After Effects, and the next I’m creating a structure to animate a construction vehicle in 3D space. I love the variety of work I face every day. The challenges that come with each new project make the job exciting. And since I haven’t specialized in a single field yet, those challenges can range from 3D video animations to frame-by-frame animation.

Alongside the projects that pay my bills, my free time is just as important to me. Being self-employed allows me to maintain a healthy work–life balance.

What I don’t like so much about my job:

In my opinion, the biggest challenge of being self-employed is not knowing what the next weeks or months will look like. Will there be enough work to cover fixed costs? Can you afford a beer in the evening, or do you have to think twice about every euro? Especially at the beginning, it was difficult to find my footing—but over time, it does get easier.

Important skills in my job:

An open and friendly attitude helps build a strong network, which is the most important thing when you’re self-employed, as that’s how you get new jobs. It’s also essential to stay curious about your environment, new technologies, and new software in order to explore new paths instead of sticking to conventional ones. And if you add a touch of organizational talent, nothing can really go wrong.

My biggest achievement so far:

Even though it hasn’t always been easy, I’m proud of the path I’ve taken since finishing my studies. Berlin, my first steps in the professional world, and now being self-employed are things I’m still amazed to have managed and followed through on.

How I got into my job:

After completing my media design studies at FH JOANNEUM, I moved to Berlin and started working as a junior artist at a small animation studio. When my one-year contract ended, it wasn’t extended due to a lack of projects. That was the moment I decided to take the leap into self-employment.

What I learned during my studies for professional life:

The first thing that comes to mind is my 3D classes, where I took my first steps—and initially hated them. In the end, they led to my great enthusiasm and passion for 3D. However, you only progress slowly on your own, especially with larger projects, and that’s where project-based work was a great teacher. In this field, the ability to work in a team is incredibly important. Often, fitting harmoniously into a team is more essential than pure technical skill.

One thing hasn’t changed: in the end, it always gets stressful—no matter how early you start. The deadline arrives faster than you think.

Job opportunities in my field:

In Berlin, and in Germany in general, there are an extremely large number of people working in the design field, which can make entry difficult. After a year, I still feel like I haven’t quite found my place yet. But my experience tells me that good and capable people are always in demand and welcome.

I am:

• curious
• enthusiastic
• highly self-motivated with a strong sense of initiative