Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Gooch.
Hi Eric, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started in photography and illustration during high school, which eventually led me to work as a set designer and builder at car photography studios in Detroit and later in Los Angeles. When I first saw what was being done with computer graphics, I was immediately hooked.
That curiosity turned into a 30-year career as a Digital/3D Artist in the game industry, where I specialized in 3D modeling and eventually lighting. These days I freelance through my own business, Coos Coast Creative, working locally here in Coos Bay, Oregon while also serving clients across Oregon and nationally — since my work is entirely digital.
What I enjoy most is bringing together my passions for graphic design, 3D design and rendering, 3D printing, and photo digitizing and restoration into one creative practice.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall, yes — I’m fortunate to have built a career around work I truly love. There were moments of real risk along the way, like picking up and moving across the country multiple times to chase the next opportunity, but looking back I’m glad I took those leaps. Things have a way of working out when you’re doing what you’re meant to do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do both graphic design and 3D pre-visualization — showing clients what something will look like before it’s built, before they’ve committed serious money to construction or prototypes. That could be anything from a single product or device, to a custom home design, to full apartment complexes or industrial sites.
Because I spent more than 20 years as a lighting artist, realistic lighting is something I’m especially focused on — and it makes an enormous difference. Even the best-designed spaces fall flat without lighting that feels true to life. That’s really my specialty and what I’m known for: bringing visual realism to things that don’t yet exist in the real world.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My wife, without question. She’s put up with a lot over the years — including more than a few stretches where we were living in separate states while I followed the next opportunity. She’s always been supportive, and I’m pretty sure I owe her at least a few nice dinners. It’s really good to finally be home for good.
Beyond that, I’ve just been lucky to work with a lot of genuinely talented people over the years — designers, artists, programmers, producers. When you spend years in rooms full of people who are really good at what they do, it rubs off whether you like it or not. I’d like to think some of it stuck.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cooscoastcreative.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooscoastcreative
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericgooch/
- Other: https://www.artstation.com/eric-gooch
