Talent Has No Gender: Meet Nichakarn, the Lead Animator Behinds IGLOO Studio’s Signature Animation 

Meet Nichakarn, the Lead Animator Behinds IGLOO Studio’s Signature Animation

Women are increasingly being recognized for their immense potential and the incomparable qualities that allow them to succeed beyond limits. In celebration of International Women’s Day this year, IGLOO Studio is proud to feature “Nichakarn Varinpramote,” our inspiring female Lead Animator. She walks us through her journey in animation and her empowering vision for excelling in this rapidly changing industry.

A Spark That Lasts

Nichakarn fell in love with art at a very young age. She was initially amazed by how drawings could move, and that wonder has stayed with her as she grew.

“Telling stories through animation never fails to surprise me. It is the meticulous crafting process that makes it unique, and I am undeniably attracted to that charm. Till now, bringing characters to life makes me feel proud and overjoyed,” says Nichakarn.

Embarking on Career Success

While she has worked on many projects, the work produced by IGLOO Studio eventually caught her eye and made her want to take a moment to admire.

“As an artist who loves 2D animation, I was truly impressed by how IGLOO Studio crafted Malee’s Aomori No Kisetsu advertisement. The rendering was brilliant, and I was even more surprised to learn that this amazing work was curated by a Thai team.”
Nichakarn later joined IGLOO Studio in 2021 for the “My Daemon” project, a Netflix Original Anime Series. But that achievement was only the beginning; she eventually found her “project of the decade.”

“Throughout my 10-year career in this industry, I would not hesitate to say that “Dispatch” is the project I am most proud of. I was extremely excited to collaborate with my favorite directors, Dennis Lenart and Nick Herman, who were behind the global success of “The Wolf Among Us” and “The Walking Dead.” It was literally a dream come true.”

Her love for the project deepened as she collaborated with the team.

“With its excellence in executing action, romance, comedy, and more, “Dispatch” really matches my style. The more I loved the storyline, the more I wanted to make the animation as realistic as possible. To me, the plot is the most crucial. All the amazing visuals would mean nothing without a thoughtful and exceptional storyline. I would like to extend my great appreciation to all the teams that contributed,” she says. 

Crafting the Art, Cultivating the Team

“Teamwork makes the dream work” is certainly true to Nichakarn at IGLOO Studio.

“We always show our true team spirit at work, while also enjoying ourselves with scrumptious meals and special getaways together. My team at IGLOO Studio is absolutely the best team I’ve had in my 10-year career.”  

As a Lead Animator, Nichakarn doesn’t just craft art on a daily basis. She also cultivates her team to foster a loving, collaborative environment.

“My role spans across the team. While keeping up with my workload is key, overseeing the team is also crucial. Besides managing their scope of work and overall communication, I always observe their morale to provide guidance and support in any areas needed accordingly. As a leader, it is important to fine-tune our styles and embrace positivity within our team.”   

Besides the team’s quality, Nichakarn also shared how she keeps up with the great quality of work.

“I believe in working smarter, not harder. As a team, we strive to achieve great outcomes with less burden and time consumption. Our team here at IGLOO Studio has a strong drive to make high-quality work. We set the bar high and put in our best effort to reach, and even exceed the limits. To achieve that, consistent mentoring and continuous team support have proven to be the best solutions.”

Women in Animation

Empowerment at work seems to have various meanings to different people. To Nichakarn, IGLOO Studio represents the true meaning of it.

“Having empowerment at work means having our voices heard. It is a conducive environment where everyone is respected, every opinion is valued, and every conversation is always open. IGLOO Studio provides a safe space to share thoughts and receive feedback without judgment, regardless of who you are or your position. Everyone is equal,” she explains.   

“As a female team lead, I believe we can uplift empowerment in our own way. Women are often more sensitive to feelings, which helps in managing morale and maintaining a good mood within the team. All doors are open and we always want to be a safe space for one another. For me, high-quality work needs to come with great well-being.”

Nichakarn is living proof that professional recognition and personal values can work hand-in-hand, inspiring the next generation of women in animation.

“It is important to respect yourself and stand your ground. Do not let others underestimate your potential or devalue your work. Do not be afraid to share your thoughts respectfully. A true creative space will always welcome our voice and respect our identity.”

“My goal is to continue being a safe space and a role model for the team. No one should ever be left behind. Being a good leader, to me, is also about creating balance. Doing great work and living a great life is all that matters,” she concludes.