Why Mechanical Designers Should Know How to Sculpt
Oscar-nominated Makeup Effects Artist Mike Elizalde emphasizes the importance for mechanical designers to understand sculpture.
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Question: So, I was curious in the Animatronics Industry, is it important to learn how to do the robotics and to do the skinning of the robotics? Or are there different specializations of people that just create the latex outer skin and the costume, versus the robotics?
Answer: It's important to know both. Any mechanical designer who's worth their salt knows about sculpture. They know about the creasing of the skin. You have to know what's happening on the outside in order to build the inside properly. So it wouldn't be a bad idea to start out as a sculptor, just to get those skills. Even if you don't become a professional sculptor, at least you'll understand what works and what doesn't work when it comes to skins. Part of the mechanical designer's job is to determine the thicknesses of the skin in specific areas and the durability of the skin. So, the skin is part of the mechanical design. Therefore, you are well-served to understand that process very thoroughly.