Ready to meet another Squid from the New Orleans Squidshack? Virginia Larkins, better known as Ginger, talked to us this week about her many interests, including her fund raising endeavors for the New Orleans Children’s Hospital.
What did you do before coming to TurboSquid?
Well, back in Austin, I fostered dogs for Austin Pets Alive! I love dogs and having an extra pup around for my dog Gabby to play with was fantastic! It’s really rewarding work, even though you have to say goodbye to a dog you’ve cared for.
I have also registered for a charity called Extra-Life. You watch me play video games for 24 hours, over a live stream, to raise money for New Orleans Children’s Hospital. This doesn’t go down till November 2nd, but you can donate your money here.
And now that you’re at TurboSquid, what do you do as a QA Analyst?
I write test plans, run automation (sometimes), check to see if issues reoccur, and generally try to break websites. The breaking things part of my job really rocks.
What is your favorite thing about working at TurboSquid?
Free food when we’re trying to release something in a crunch. I also love the cereal bar and the fact that new stuffed toys appear on my desk. Currently, there is a Dalek, a kitty, a farting Jarjar Binks, and a Companion Cube on my desk. I have the best stuffed toy fairy!
Tell us about your favorite model from the site.
Dinosaurs are cool! Also I liked the fact that this person titled it by its formal name: Deinonychus antirrhopus.
Nice! Before we go, what’s something your fellow co-workers don’t know about you yet?
I guess one thing people might not know about me is that I love archery. I’m not particularly great at it, but its one of those relaxing things I do on the weekend. My father would always set up a make shift archery range in our backyard for me and my sister.
We’re excited about Ginger playing for this year’s Extra Life gaming marathon! To find out more about this charity, which benefits local children’s hospitals across the country, check out Ginger’s donation page.
It’s time to meet another Squid from TurboSquid HQ, and this week, we’re talking to Kevin Alimia, who was recently promoted to Assistant Technical Artist. Having previously worked in Member Services, Kevin utilizes his 3D modeling knowledge to help the artists meet a very high set of standards. Read more about Kevin below:
To start off, tell us a little about yourself! When you’re not at TS, what do you like to do?
Outside of work I do various things. I go out with friends, drinking. I like to go to the movies, I read, I draw/paint, I stay home and have movie days. In warmer days I like to just be outside walking around or go to the park. I also love to cook and bake, especially during the holidays!
What about when you’re at work? What does your day look like?
Typically, I come in early and work on personal projects. Once the official work day starts, I spend my time working on Custom 3D projects for various clients. That typically entails technical checks to be sure models meet certain standards and required points. When I have a little “free” time I work on improving my skills and speed. (more…)
In this week’s Meet the Squids, we talk to Kate Voisin, our marketing team’s graphic designer. Kate is a Louisiana native, growing up just outside of New Orleans, the city she has called home for almost a decade. Read on to find out about the many hats she gets to wear at the office, and why she suspects that TurboSquid may, in fact, be a cult (but in a good way).
What does a day at TurboSquid typically look like for you?
My days at TS vary. On the marketing side, I write newsletters, handle our socialmedia accounts, and help to make sure our site shows up in search correctly.
On the design side, I make infographics and ads, help to pretty up the website, and Photoshop Nic Cage’s face onto our manager’s pictures sometimes.
Basically, it’s my job to make sure TurboSquid is always reachable, approachable, and visually appealing.
What’s your favorite thing about working at TurboSquid?
Can I have three things?
1. I get to make fun, engaging content for a fun, engaging company, that’s seen by lots of people– it’s kind of what every graphic designer wants to do.
2. I have total access to the massive 3D model catalog, so getting to use the models in my design work is a real luxury. I could seriously spend hours perusing the catalog. (And sometimes I do! For work.)
3. My third favorite thing about TurboSquid is every single thing about TurboSquid. I know this is a total cheater answer, like asking for infinite wishes on your third wish, but whatever. I’ve worked in New Orleans for a long time, and the TS office is easily the most positive, employee-friendly workplace I’ve ever encountered. When I started, I was pretty sure I’d joined a cult, because about 5 people told me within the first week that it was the best job they’d ever had… and if it IS a cult, I’m completely happy to drink the kool-aid / eat the cereal / wear the tentacles. I love it here. (more…)
This week in Meet the Squids, we’re saying hello to Chris Tiberio (more often known as “Tibs”). Tibs started with TurboSquid as a Member Services Agent, but will soon be starting a new venture in the office as our 3D Library Assistant. Find out more about Tibs’ eclectic interests outside of the office, and be sure to send him your congratulations in the comments!
So, tell us what a typical day at TurboSquid HQ consists of for you.
Well, I wake up and feed my pups (Carla and Reggie). Once that’s done, I make my 30 minute walk from my humble abode to TurboSquid HQ. I listen to some “informative” podcasts (The Nerdist, Who Charted?, and Get Up On This are my faves) to help pass the time. I get to the building and sling my trendy man-purse on my desk while greeting my fellow Squids. I then make my usual breakfast of assorted cereal (Corn Pops are my jam right now) and a cup of water because I recently quit soda, cold turkey.
Then I settle into my desk and start working. I work hard on various projects to help improve the site and the customer experience. I attend a meeting or two a day and do my best to service the needs of the artist, customer, and the TurboSquid Team.
We hear you’re involved with a lot of things outside the office. What else do you do?
I am a part of an improvised comedy troupe known as “Hug Life.” We do shows all over New Orleans. I am currently planning a wedding with my fiancee, Cheryl, in which I am trying make sure that our two dogs are ring bearers and that my wedding cake topper is wearing a luchador mask (I love professional wrestling).
I also am going to start volunteering at a local animal shelter. I am really into the rescue and care of Pit Bulls, as they are the world’s most misunderstood and mistreated breed of dogs. But I am a lover of all animals.
I also have been writing a hip-hop demo and hope to have it out soon. BOOM!
Tibs auditioned for the most recent run of America’s Got Talent. He didn’t make it this time around, but we’re proud of him anyway. Check out his story about the auditions, and his amazing improv beat-boxing below:
This week’s TS bio post features Kimberley Lloyd, a member of the accounting team. Originally hailing from the UK, Kim eventually followed her husband, Jonathan Lloyd (VP of Product Development), to New Orleans and TurboSquid. Read on to discover more about her experience in the States, New Orleans, and which superpower she secretly wishes to possess.
Alright, so how’d you land in the US and at TurboSquid?
I landed in the states by airplane from Manchester Airport to Chicago O’Hare then to New Orleans. No, seriously I ended up in the states by following my husband here when he landed a job at TS. Little did I know that I was soon to employed by TS too.
I managed to get a job here because back in the UK I was an accountant, and the accounting department at TS was in need of someone else. I guess they felt I would be a good fit because I had helped out with the accounting for Falling Pixel, which essentially works in a very similar way to TS. Also I think people were concerned about my sanity. I came to the States on a H4 visa, which is for spouses of people with H1B visas and means I was not allowed to work; so I spent a lot of time at home playing housewife before I got the job at TS and my new visa, and, let me tell you, playing housewife is the most boring job for someone who does not have children!
Our latest squid spotlight shines on Product Support superstar, Chris Briere. As with many of our Squids, the path to a career within the digital arts industry began with a fascination for video games. Known around the office as “Briere” due to an overabundance of Chris’s, this Chris was guided by a good woman to pursue a degree in line with what he loves (and we’re so thankful that she did).
What’s a day in the life of Chris Briere like?
Wake up at 4:50am, pick up Kevin Alimia on my way. Arrive at the office at 6am, work on personal models from 6am to 9am. Convert models and work on basic support from 9am to 5pm. Get off of work and usually get home for 6-6:30pm. Eat dinner with my wife and child, watch TV, sleep, repeat!
