Jose L. Ramos Serrano
I am passionate about computer graphics.
For as long as I can remember, I have been using the computer to create things.
And I loved sharing those things with others.
As a kid, I was lucky enough to be introduced to my first 3D animation software, 3D Studio 3 for MS-DOS. I spent countless hours exploring it, and I’m still thrilled that this early passion eventually became my profession.
I began my career as a freelancer, creating motion graphics for broadcast television. Early on, I realized how closely 3D animation and digital compositing go hand in hand. That period taught me invaluable lessons, the most important being how to collaborate effectively with others.
After five years as a freelancer, I joined Ilion Animation Studios as the first member of their lighting department, working closely with the director. This was a very special time in my life, when I built lasting friendships and learned many of the skills I still use today. After seven years as a Lighting Lead at Ilion, I moved to California to join Pixar.
Working at Pixar has been a dream come true. I’ve had the privilege of learning from the company’s Directors of Photography what it truly means to support storytelling through light and color. The films Brave, Inside Out, Coco, and Soul all won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. I was personally nominated by the Visual Effects Society for Outstanding Environment in Inside Out, Cars 3, and Lightyear.
In 2023, I was deeply honored to receive the Pixar Hero Award for my contributions as a Principal Artist.