Catherine Luo
About Catherine Luo
Catherine Luo is a Technical Director specializing in Character Shade and Groom at Pixar Animation Studios, where she has worked since 2019. She has a background in 3D animation from Carnegie Mellon University and has experience as a teaching assistant and intern in the animation field.
Work at Pixar Animation Studios
Catherine Luo has been employed at Pixar Animation Studios as a Technical Director in Character Shade/Groom since 2019. In this role, she has contributed to the development of character shading techniques, enhancing the visual storytelling capabilities of animated features. Prior to her current position, she completed several internships at Pixar, including roles as a Technical Director Character/Shade Intern and Technical Director Sets/Shade Intern in 2019. Her experience at Pixar spans over five years and is based in Emeryville, California.
Education and Expertise
Catherine Luo earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Electronic Media Arts with a focus on 3D Animation from Carnegie Mellon University, completing her studies from 2015 to 2019. During her time at the university, she gained valuable experience as a Teaching Assistant for courses such as Introduction to 3D Animation and Technical Character Animation. Her education has equipped her with a nuanced understanding of storytelling and cinematics, which she applies in her professional work.
Background
Catherine Luo began her career in the animation industry as a CG Intern at Framestore in New York City for two months in 2018. Following this internship, she transitioned to Carnegie Mellon University, where she served as a Teaching Assistant for two years, from 2017 to 2019. Her academic and early professional experiences laid the groundwork for her subsequent roles at Pixar Animation Studios, where she has focused on character shading and grooming.
Teaching Experience
Catherine Luo has a background in education, having worked as a Teaching Assistant at Carnegie Mellon University. She assisted in courses such as Introduction to 3D Animation and Technical Character Animation between 2017 and 2019. This experience allowed her to share her knowledge of animation techniques and support students in their learning journey, further solidifying her expertise in the field.
Focus on Storytelling in Animation
Catherine Luo possesses a strong focus on exploring the complexity of emotion and the human condition through storytelling in animation. Her work at Pixar Animation Studios reflects this commitment, as she applies her understanding of cinematic language to enhance character development and emotional depth in animated projects.