We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bella Shih a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Bella , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

The decision to study abroad and change career paths marked the most significant risk I’ve ever taken in my life thus far.

My journey into motion design began with a background in journalism and video editing. I earned my bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication in Taiwan, where I first delved into the world of filming and video editing during my college courses and part-time job at a TV news channel. The more I explored video production and storytelling, the deeper I fell in love with it. Eventually, an exciting opportunity arose for me to work as a video editor in a digital media company—a chance to work in a field I was truly passionate about.

During my time as a video editor, I occasionally found myself tasked with creating short animations, like lower thirds, intro animations, and animated typography. While I initially wasn’t well-versed in the motion design industry, I immersed myself in research and became captivated by the endless possibilities of motion graphics. Yet, transitioning to a full-time role in this field proved challenging due to my limited knowledge and practical experience. Moreover, the motion design industry in Taiwan was still in its infancy, offering fewer opportunities compared to the more mature industry in the United States. It was then that I made the pivotal choice to pursue a master’s degree in Motion Media Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design, fully committed to transforming my career into that of a motion designer.

Changing majors is a shared experience for many, but my path was anything but easy. The transition came with its share of challenges and frustrations, including the language barrier, a lack of foundational design knowledge, financial burdens, and the difficulties of living in a foreign country. It demanded an immense investment of time and effort to catch up with my peers who had four years of art and design education under their belts.

Embarking on the learning journey came with its fair share of ups and downs. However, I never regretted taking that path because it taught me so many precious life experiences. After completing my MA degree, I was fortunate to freelance with GitHub, a priceless experience as it marked my first opportunity to earn a living in this new field I was still mastering. I also embarked on an internship journey with an exceptional ad agency in Portland, an experience that was nothing short of incredible. I am deeply grateful that they extended a full-time position offer following my internship, and I’m thrilled to have officially achieved my goal of becoming a motion designer.

Reaching this milestone was something I once considered impossible. While I’m content with the outcome of taking this risk in my life, I’m also aware that there’s still a long road ahead. If I could offer one piece of advice to readers, it would be to thoroughly assess the risks before taking action. As long as you’re honest with yourself about the potential consequences, have a sound financial plan in place, and are prepared for the worst-case scenario, don’t hesitate to take that leap of faith! You’ll never know until you try.

Bella , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m a motion designer with a strong focus on 2D motion graphics and a deep passion for creating illustrations. My mission as a motion designer is to assist clients in effectively communicating their messages through thoughtful design and captivating motion. I achieve this by asking insightful questions and gaining a thorough understanding of the client’s unique needs, allowing me to act as a visual “translator” to bring abstract concepts to life through imagery.

While my primary expertise lies in motion design, I also have a keen interest in illustration and eagerly embrace opportunities to create art. Illustration, to me, offers a unique avenue for self-expression and allows me to convey emotions and ideas with a sense of creative freedom.

The fusion of these two creative realms, along with my background in video editing, positions me as a versatile and multi-disciplined artist. I take pride in my ability to adapt to a variety of projects and connect with clients who possess diverse requirements and concerns. I believe that fostering strong, confident, and open communication is the cornerstone of successful collaboration.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

One of the things I absolutely cherish about being creative is the ability to craft something that’s not just unique but also deeply personal, reflecting my own journey. For motion designers, we often take on the entire project independently, from the initial concept to storyboarding, styleframing, animating, and the final exporting phase. While this can be challenging at times, it’s incredibly fulfilling when you look back and see how much you’ve accomplished throughout the project.

Another deeply rewarding aspect of the creative process is its therapeutic effect. Creating art serves as a form of self-expression and healing for me. Whether it’s a simple doodle, an illustration, or an animated motion piece, the creative process provides a space for me to slow down and connect with my inner thoughts. It allows me to delve into my mind and translate my thoughts and feelings into a piece of art, something I truly value as an artist.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

In my experience, being an artist or creative often involves setting aside a good chunk of alone time to let ideas percolate and thoughts flow, which might seem unconventional to some folks. The creative process frequently calls for deep thinking, self-exploration, and a keen eye for the nuances of everyday objects and events. Personally, I find it pretty nice to have some alone time for journaling, it helps me sort through my thoughts. Plus, when I’m on my own, I notice that my senses become more attuned to my surroundings, enabling me to gather inspiration from the things I feel, see, or hear. This balance of solitude and heightened awareness greatly benefits my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bellashih.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellashih.art/