Animation Student Spotlight - Nadezda Furzikova

Discover the animation student spotlight on Nadezda Furzikova, a passionate iAnimate artist shaping her career through creativity and storytelling.

“iAnimate taught me to deeply value reference and the power of subtle details”

Student Spotlight: Nadezda Furzikova – Breathing Life Into Characters Through Animation

Meet Nadezda Furzikova, a passionate character animator based in Nancy, France. With a love for storytelling, emotion, and creativity, Nadezda has been honing her craft through iAnimate, where she recently completed the Advanced Body Mechanics class. Dedicated to building strong fundamentals and mastering character performance, she’s now setting her sights on beginning her career in a feature animation studio. Driven, detail-oriented, and inspired by the mentorship of industry veterans at iAnimate, Nadezda is ready to bring fresh energy and heartfelt storytelling to the world of animation.

“Enrolling in iAnimate felt like the right step to take my skills to a professional level. What first drew me to iAnimate was the incredible lineup of mentors—industry veterans. Knowing I could learn directly from artists with real industry experience was a huge motivation. I’m passionate about animation and fully committed to improving my craft, and I believe iAnimate offers the kind of mentorship and challenge that can truly elevate my skills to the next level.”

Student Animation Journey

Tim took the Feature Animation Workshop at iAnimate:

Feature Animation Workshop

• Feature Animation Workshop 2
• Feature Animation Workshop 3

with Animation instructors:

• Jim van der Keyl -  Singing Frog Studio
• Angie Jones - Paramount & Nick Animation

“Thanks to their mentorship, I’ve gained not just animation techniques, but a mindset grounded in professional standards.”

Crafting Animation Through Exploration and Precision

Nadezda’s creative process is rooted in both structure and imagination. For every iAnimate assignment, she began by filming at least three different reference videos, each exploring unique acting choices, timing, and physicality. This early stage of exploration allowed her to gather feedback from peers and mentors, ensuring she identified the strongest direction for her shot. Once a reference was chosen, she carefully broke it down into key storytelling poses, paying close attention to rhythm, clarity, and performance. This thoughtful balance of planning and experimentation not only strengthened her workflow but also helped her grow into a more confident and expressive animator.

“iAnimate taught me to deeply value reference and the power of subtle details. I've learned that it's the small, intentional choices that bring a performance to life—and that's what makes my work stand out.” 

You can reach Nadezda via:

Student Spotlight Q&A with Animator Tim Harwell

iAnimate: What do you think of your Online Animation Instructor(s), and how do they help you?

Nadezda: Jim, my Body Mechanics mentor, helped me build a solid foundation by teaching the fundamentals of anatomy and how the body moves. His guidance gave me the tools to understand physical performance on a deeper level.

With Angie in Advanced Body Mechanics, I refined my ability to convey believable acting through animation. I learned to recognize different animation styles, craft powerful poses, and stage scenes effectively. She also emphasized the importance of clean project organization and thoughtful lighting—skills that reflect real studio practices.

Thanks to their mentorship, I’ve gained not just animation techniques, but a mindset grounded in professional standards.

iAnimate: How did iAnimate help you to evolve your animation skills as a character animator?

Nadezda: With the guidance of my mentors at iAnimate, I’ve grown significantly as a character animator. I’ve learned the importance of thorough planning—now, I dedicate a lot of time to breaking down the shot before animating, which keeps my focus clear and intentional. I also playblast frequently and analyze my work critically to stay on track. This process has made me more disciplined, thoughtful, and dependable—ready to take on professional challenges with confidence.

iAnimate: What kind of animator do you consider after taking your student workshop's?

Nadezda: After completing the workshops at iAnimate, I consider myself an aspiring animator who is industry-ready. The workshops have equipped me with essential skills in animation techniques and understanding industry standards. I’ve gained hands-on experience in creating high-quality work and collaborating in a team environment, which makes me confident that I’m prepared to contribute to any professional animation project. Additionally, I’ve learned how to adapt to different styles and project requirements, which I believe is crucial for success in the animation industry.

iAnimate: What kind of project do you want to work on?

Nadezda: I’m aiming to work in a feature animation studio, where storytelling, emotion, and strong character performance are at the heart of every project.