In 2007, after several intense years studying Computer Science — a five-year program built on logic, structure, and precision — I decided to take a break and chase something completely different: creativity. I took a sabbatical year and moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina, to explore the world of animation.
It wasn’t easy. Back then, information online was limited, and researching schools from abroad took months. Yet I was impressed by how advanced Argentina’s digital and creative scene already was. I discovered places like Escuela Da Vinci and Image Campus, both pioneers in design and animation education. Image Campus was out of reach financially, so I made a bold choice — I sold my Toyota Lite Ace, a gift from my father, and used the money to study at Da Vinci while also enrolling in a longer film and animation program at Nueva Escuela.
That experience changed everything. I learned about character design, storytelling, rigging, and animation, expanding my understanding of how to bring emotion and purpose into digital work. It complemented my technical background perfectly — bridging code and creativity.
By then, I had already won an Arroba de Oro in 2005 for Destiny Panamá, a Flash microsite for a real estate project. Moving from Flash to 3D animation felt like a natural evolution — a way to make my ideas not just interactive, but alive.
At the end of my studies, I produced my first animated short film, a small but meaningful project that reflected everything I had learned that year — from concept to final frame. You can watch it here:
🎬 Watch the short film on YouTube
Looking back, that year in Buenos Aires was more than a sabbatical. It was the foundation of everything I do today — merging technology and art to create experiences that move people.
