Today we’d like to introduce you to Nari Saelim.
Hi Nari, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Honestly, I never thought I’d end up where I am today. I actually studied fashion design in college, and somewhere along the way I started experimenting with 3D, incorporating it into my portfolio & just messing around with Blender as a hobby. It was like this fun side thing that slowly started to take over everything else I was doing. At the same time, I made a lot of 3D animations and landed my first corporate job that moved me from Ohio to California. After a year of being in a corporate tech job, I decided I still wanted to be young and free so I moved to Bangkok, Thailand, of course. Again, I found a job on LinkedIn with foodpanda APAC. That phase in my life was like a dream because I worked with so many other talented creatives that were around the same age as me so we also got along outside of work. I was able to experience way more in life than I did in America because I was surrounded by like-minded people with similar interests as me. I got more into motion design & working as a freelancer, printing my own products & posting on social media, and eventually built up enough experience to start monetising by myself and working with global brands. It wasn’t luck, don’t get me wrong, it was through my own deep work in my solitude that led me to be helpful to others and see opportunity to collaborate with me.
Since then, others have asked me to join them in parts of their journey which have led me to gain a lot of insight into different careers (some would call this side-questing). For example, I was dancing on instagram one day when someone recruited me to be on a head & shoulders commercial. Another example was my sincere admiration for another female in my field that invited me along to see her journey in turning her business into a very succesfull venture. A lot of it came from just following what felt fun or helpful and doubling down on the things people responded to. It hasn’t been linear at all, but it’s definitely been a ride.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve failed and failed so many times offline… stuff no one ever sees. The rejections, the jobs that didn’t work out, the projects that flopped, or just moments where I had no idea what I was doing. But honestly, that’s where most of the growth happened. Those failures taught me way more than any “win” I ever posted about. That’s why when something does work, it’s not just luck.. it’s layers of trial, reflection, and persistence that no one claps for 🙂 In the end, I can say that I’ve sincerely had fun and fulfilment through it all!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I do a little bit of everything in the 3D world! Motion design, product animation, 3D printing, character work.. you name it, I might have done it. I started off just creating for fun, but over time I found ways to turn that curiosity into a career. I’ve worked with corporate teams, creative agencies, and startups around the world, but I also freelance and run my own projects, like designing and selling 3D-printed products that people actually use.
What I’m probably most known for is blending playful, high-impact visuals with everyday functionality.. especially in the 3D printing space. I think what sets me apart is that I’m a woman from a fashion design background in a male-dominated-3D-tech world, so I think there is a slight bit of juxtaposition there.
I’m most proud of the fact that I’ve been able to turn my random little experiments into things that inspire people or even make them money. And to be real, outside of all that, I’m also just trying to juggle life.. being a good person, eating well, staying active. One of my goals is to be a great wife and mom someday, and that’s part of what drives me too. I want my work and lifestyle to support the kind of life I’m building, not just look good on paper.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you vibe with what I do and want to collaborate, I’m always open to it 🙂 whether it’s brand partnerships, product design, 3D animation, or something unexpected. The easiest way to reach me is through Instagram DMs or email. That said, I’m selective.. I only work with brands I believe in and that align with my values. Reputation and intention matter to me.
If you just want to support, honestly just sharing my work, tagging someone who might need it, or even sending a kind message goes a long way!
I’m always, always, always building, learning, and trying to grow with others, so if that’s your vibe too, let’s talk.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nari.jpeg/
Image Credits
Adam Birkan
