Valeria Weerasinghe

Profession

MA Character Animation alum

College

Central Saint Martins

Person Type

Alumni

Biography

Valeria Weerasinghe is an Italian-Srilankan illustrator, director and ﬁlm programmer currently based in Italy. She studied MA Character Animation at Central Saint Martins.

Interview

Please can you tell me a little bit about yourself?

I am an Italian-Srilankan illustrator, director and ﬁlm programmer currently based in Italy. My work explores themes like cultural identity and introspection in everyday life through bold colours and ﬂuid shapes. Some of my recent clients are Netﬂix Italia, David di Donatello Awards, Sulla Razza podcast sponsored by Juventus FC.

Why did you choose to study MA Character Animation at Central Saint Martins (CSM)?

I chose to study MA Character Animation at CSM because it oﬀered a creative and stimulating environment, allowing me to explore my artistic potential. The course's emphasis on starting from scratch with no prior animation experience was what I was looking for and the practical hands-on approach oﬀered at CSM was a perfect ﬁt for my learning style.

What have you been working on since graduating?

Since graduating, I have been involved in diﬀerent creative projects. From editorial to commercial illustration work as well as design for animated short and feature ﬁlms. Most recently, I have been actively involved in leading animation and illustration workshops, curating the animation programs for La Guarimba International Film Festival alongside directing my own short ﬁlm.

What was the most interesting project you worked on during your time on the course?

During my time on the course, I had the opportunity to work on several fascinating projects, however I remember that my graduation ﬁlm was the one where I invested all my time and dedication. It was the project where I poured all of my creative energy and took charge of every single part, from start to ﬁnish. This experience was truly meaningful as it allowed me to explore and focus on the aspects of animation that I am most passionate about.

What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?

My advice would be to explore as much as possible and embrace curiosity. Stay open-minded and receptive to diﬀerent forms of stories and techniques, as they can provide valuable insights and can expand your artistic horizons. Additionally, focus on creating a portfolio that not only showcases your skills but also reﬂects yourself and your passion for this craft.

What was the highlight of your Central Saint Martins experience?

When reﬂecting on my Central Saint Martins experience, it is challenging to single out one speciﬁc highlight. Along with the skills, the guidance and the connections developed during the course, a signiﬁcant aspect for me was the opportunity to listen to artists who were already working in the industry. It was really insightful and inspiring to hear about their experiences but most importantly, witnessing the diversity of paths they had taken made me realise that each person's artistic journey is unique.

What is the most important thing you learnt on the course?

During my time on the course, I have gained numerous valuable insights. Among them, two things stand out as ones that I believe made, and continue to make, a signiﬁcant impact: the value of collaborative work and the ability to take on creative responsibilities.

Links

Check Valeria’s website
Follow Valeria’s Instagram
Check Valeria’s Linkedin
View the MA Character Animation course page

Valeria Weerasinghe

Biography

Interview

Links

Central Saint Martins

Contact

Address