Mufasa: The Lion King, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, and Snow White are some of the titles Borja Barbadillo has worked on during the last years. He graduated from the BFA in Digital Art and Animation at DigiPen Europe-Bilbao in 2020 and after that, he has quickly climbed the ladder of visual effects and animation, working on major productions for Disney and Marvel Studios.
Although Borja initially enrolled in DigiPen with plans to focus on animation, he soon realized that his talent for technical details and error-solving would lead him down a different path. It was during his third year, thanks to various projects and a Programming course, that he decided to specialize in the more technical side of animation, serving as a bridge between art and technology.
I realized I was good at understanding software, identifying where problems come from and knowing how to fix them
Conscious that technical expertise was key to standing out in the industry, he decided to hone those skills. After graduating, Borja completed a specialized course in technical animation for visual effects at Technicolor Academy. Shortly after, he moved to Canada when one of the company’s studios, MPC Montreal, hired him as a Character Effects (CFX) artist in May 2022.
As a CFX artist, Borja is responsible for simulating effects like the movement of hair, clothing, fat, or other elements from characters that deform, fold, or move dynamically, as well as correcting certain animation issues.
At MPC, Borja spent several years contributing to projects for Marvel and Walt Disney Studios, including:
Mufasa: The Lion King
In his first project, he collaborated on the animation of Timon and Pumbaa for the prequel to The Lion King. He was responsible for animating the skin, fat, and fur of the animals, as well as making corrections to the animation geometry.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
Later, he was called upon to refine several shots in this Marvel film, primarily working on the villain Kang’s cape.
Snow White
For this project, Borja handled the entire animation for Doc, one of the seven dwarfs. He animated his skin, body fat, clothing, hat, hair and beard throughout the film.
After two years, Borja returned to Bilbao to work at The Thinklab Media, where he now holds the position of Technical Director.
Looking back on his journey, Borja ensures that DigiPen played a crucial role in shaping his professional career. He highlights the broad range of tools and disciplines taught at the school, as it helped him find his place in the industry.
Before starting the BFA, Borja had intended to become a video game animator, but the degree’s curriculum allowed him to explore new concepts that he grew to love, like programming. He believes that studying at DigiPen taught him how to find the perfect balance between what he enjoys and what he is good at, enabling him to feel confident and comfortable in his professional performance.