Pixar’s Renderman Art Challenge: 2 ESMA students stand out from the crowd
News . 22 Jan. 2025
For the 2024 edition of Pixar’s Renderman Art Challenge, ESMA is honoured to celebrate the success of two former students: Margot Brun, who won first place, and Noémie Layre, who came third. Every year, this competition offers an exceptional platform for artists wishing to showcase their talent, creativity and artistic vision through a project designed using the renowned Renderman rendering software.
Pixar’s Renderman: a springboard for 3D animation talent
Organised by the famous Pixar studio, Pixar’s Renderman Art Challenge is a much-anticipated annual event for 3D and animation enthusiasts. Open to all, whether students, professionals or budding artists, this competition offers a unique opportunity to showcase your creations, make a name for yourself in the world of animation, and demonstrate your mastery of the powerful Renderman rendering engine.
For this 11th edition, the theme ‘SciTech’, focusing on new technologies and their evolution, inspired artists to conceive captivating universes, tell unique stories and push back the frontiers of their creativity. Judged on a variety of criteria, including storytelling, composition, textures and shadows, and the quality of lighting and rendering, the participants rose to a rich and demanding challenge. Once again, the competition set the bar very high, both artistically and technically.
1st place went to Margot Brun, who graduated from ESMA in 2024!
Among the many works in competition, it was that of a young ESMA graduate that caused a sensation by winning 1st place. Margot Brun, with her project entitled The Robot Artist, won over the jury thanks to her originality and the depth of her artistic vision.
‘I wanted to represent Bill, an ultra-sophisticated robot capable of feeling emotions and endowed with genuine artistic talent,’ explains Margot on her ArtStation page. ‘He draws on his imagination via cables connected to computers, and paints in the style of Jackson Pollock.’
Inspired by iconic works such as Stranger Things, The Mandalorian, Blade Runner, and Alita: Battle Angel, Margot combined contemporary references with his unique style, delivering a creation that impressed the jury with its creativity and technical mastery.
The robot Artist, Margot Brun
Noémie Layre (ESMA 2022) takes 3rd place with The Robotanist
Noémie Layre, a former ESMA student, won 3rd place with her work entitled The Robotanist. She talks passionately about this enriching experience: ‘It was an incredible opportunity to push myself beyond the constraints of time and the imposed theme. This project allowed me to explore new skills while bringing to fruition an original idea that was close to my heart.
Her work features a robot-engineer grandmother with a passion for the plants of ancient Earth. This poetic, futuristic character lives in a laboratory where she preserves the last plant species she has been able to save. ‘Using her technological knowledge, she desperately tries to save these plants from extinction’, explains Noémie.
The Robotanist has been praised for its innovative approach, attention to detail and emotional impact. Although centred on technology, this project tells a deeply human story, ingeniously blending poetry and science fiction.
The Robotanist, Noémie Layre
Our warmest congratulations to Margot Brun and Noémie Layre, who brilliantly embody the talent, skills and excellence of our graduates, standing out in a competition that was remarkably demanding and competitive.