Enhances Professional Skills with Escape

About the Artist—Carlos Zaragoza

Carlos Zaragoza is an award winning set designer and art director, currently working on major feature films for a variety of production companies. Most recently, Carlos worked as a set designer for Madagascar 3 from DreamWorks, which is set for release in 2012. Carlos also worked on the upcoming Walt Disney Film, Gnomeo & Juliet as a designer/artist, as set designer for The Tale of Despereaux and as assistant art director for Pan’s Labyrinth. He earned a master’s degree in art direction and production design from the Madrid School of Film and TV and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Complutense Universidad in Madrid.

Industry Demands

As the film and TV industry have evolved, creative design professionals have also had to evolve in the level and variety of skills they need to continue to work on bigger and better projects. For Carlos, after more than eight years working in art direction and set design on movies such as Pan’s Labyrinth and The Tale of Despereaux, he recognized the need to enhance his personal skills with 3D.

Keeping up with the Industry

“It was clear from working on these feature films that the direction of the industry was moving more and more towards 3D,” said Carlos. “In order to stay involved in interesting projects, I needed to continue my training. I had to look outward to see that the demands of the industry dictated that I get a more advanced education to stay competitive and involved with the industry.”

Carlos’ Journey with Escape

In 2008, Carlos took the Maya Foundation course at Escape Studios.

“For me, Escape provided the right combination of a flexible course schedule and a reputation for providing continuing education opportunities that really prepared its students to stand out among all the other creative professionals. My instructor at Escape was an inspiring teacher. While the course was challenging and intense, it provided me with the most valuable tools to design in 3D.”

Since his Escape course, Carlos has already worked on a major feature film with Rocket Pictures and Walt Disney Animation, and was also hired by DreamWorks to work as a set designer for Madagascar 3.

Carlos added, “I recommend Escape for people who are starting in 3D, as well as experienced professionals who want to update their skills in the best way possible.”