Olivia Axiuk
Portfolio 2025

Dawson College cgi and 3d animation 2022 graduating film: Grow 2020-2022

From character design to final rendering, every stage of production was done alone using industry recognized tools such as Zbrush, Maya and Nuke. Given the time constraints placed by the professors, my aim was to tell a larger story through the designs, hinting at a more complex world outside the boundaries of the film. As well, I wanted to express both a concern and an admiration for the natural world through a science fiction setting.

Preproduction: Grow

Final Design Examples

Alleyway photobash concept

Early Preproduction

3D Robot 2023

Personal Project, a 3D sculpt based off my original robot concept. It is currently optimized and ready to be rigged. The design came from a quick sketch I did which I decided to expand on in ZBrush before exporting it to Maya and Substance Painter. I decided to design it like it could be part of the same world as my film, Grow, as a more advanced version of the accompanying robots. This one includes organic elements, such as the living flesh on its arms, though even the mechanical elements still exhibit organic inspiration, such as the skeletal design of the neck and spine.

Game Demo "Think" 2025

A team projects made in JavaScript with the p5 library, Julia Axiuk and I worked together to collaboratively bring "Think" to life based on her original concept pitch. The demo explores the main 'visual novel' style functions of the game as well as sets the tone for the project with the intention for future development. "Think" sets the player from the perspective of the main character's mind, guiding them through a story focusing on mental health while using a bold pixel art style. The demo can be played live via the following link.

• Click to Play the Demo!

Work Attributed:
Sprites : Sara, Dorm room, (unused) object assets
JavaScript Coding (assisted)
Script

Asset Samples

Simple Platformer W.I.P 2023-2024

Before being accepted into Concordia University's Computation Arts program, I decided that the best way to get started would be to get used to coding and creating assets in Game Maker. This engine is often used by small creators in order to create complex and well loved pixel and 2D games. For this project, I followed a YouTube tutorial series by Shaun Spalding with the goal of getting used to the process of making a game from start to finish. At this time, a point and health system still need to be added. I created my own assets for this in Photoshop, hoping to create something simple, yet fun and reminiscent of early flash games.

• Shaun Spalding Platformer Series, Part 1

Assets

3d Render: Obsidian Knife 2022

A render in Maya using the Arnold renderer. The knife was sculpted in ZBrush and textured in substance painter before export to maya. It took multiple attempts to get the shine right on the blade so that all the carvings could be seen clearly. As well, the cloth simulation and texture proved to be important for the realism of the final render. Some final touches were done in photoshop.

Texture Maps: Done in Substance Painter

Knife Sculpt: ZBRUSH

Syn Studio Isometric Building Design 2023

Syn Studio is an art school that offers specified classes taught by professionals in the field. Introduction to Isometric architecture taught the basics of building designs oriented towards games with a heavy emphasis on visual interest and storytelling elements within the design. My design, the Shinkansen diner, is inspired heavily by cyberpunk aesthetics and tells a story of a business with a small but loyal customer group. Despite the state of the building, which the owner seems to have trouble keeping up, it is well loved.

3d Cozy Tavern set 2023

Sculpted and lit in Maya, a cozy tavern the morning before opening. With 3D sets, it is sometimes difficult to get a feel of authenticity and to avoid the look of mathematical perfection that the nature of the medium offers. In this case, I wanted to make it feel lived in but peaceful, as if waiting for visitors for the day. It couldn't look too clean but still had to be inviting. The dents in the mugs, the slight crookedness of the chairs and the dust particles in the air are all a part of the storytelling that brings a 3D space to life.

Short Film "You Are Here" 2025

"You Are Here" was originally created for an After Effects and video editing class in Concordia University's Computation Arts program. The film uses a mix of live action (shot myself on a DSLR) and animated 3D elements (all composited in After Effects). Credits goes to Morphosource for the animal skeletons and skulls. The video also features a self-made pepper's ghost effect, a personal interest of mine. The video's narrative, though purposefully kept vague, sees an otherwordly 'alien-like' entity try to sort through and identify life on earth.

Illustrations 2023-2024

A main source of expression for many artists is through illustration. I apply the same ideas to my illustrations as I do to my other projects, telling a story through mood, atmosphere and character design. The three illustrations I chose here show a range in these aspects, from science fiction to fantasy. Although I also do traditional art, the three examples here are all done digitally, in Procreate or Photoshop.

Concept Sketches for some of the Illustrations