We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jinglei Shu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jinglei below.

Hi Jinglei, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project for me, without a doubt, was participating in the AR dance program Our Spring for Beijing TV’s 2022 Spring Festival Gala.

This was a program specially planned for the Winter Olympics and Paralympics. Its content came from interviews with a group of visually impaired children, who described their imagined visions of spring. These children had hardly ever truly “seen” spring, yet they drew apple trees blooming with lilacs, butterflies with four eyes, cats with round ears, and tailless puppies… These images were fantastical, childlike, and possessed a natural surrealism. They became the inspiration for the entire stage’s visual design.

In the project, I worked as a CG generalist, doing the 3D part. It was my first time working on such a large-scale AR project. Although I couldn’t be there in person, the moment I saw the work I contributed to appear on TV – displayed across the immersive stage built from over twenty LED screens – I felt truly excited. But deeper than the excitement was a sense of awe. The “spring” depicted by those children made me understand the project’s true significance.

This wasn’t just a technical showcase; it was an act of recreation. We used 3D animation and visual language to unveil the light and imagination residing within children living in darkness, presenting it anew to the audience. When those fantastical flowers floated in the air and the tailless puppy ran across the floor screen, what the audience felt wasn’t “they are different,” but rather “they possess a world just as rich and innocent as anyone else’s.”

This project reshaped how I view the value of design. I once believed precision, aesthetics, and technique were paramount. But this program taught me that the most moving expressions are often those that break conventions, pulsating with raw, authentic life.

To have used technology to amplify the voices of an often-unheard community on the Spring Festival Gala stage – a night woven into the emotional fabric of hundreds of millions – for me, that was the brightest “spring” of my career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My entry into this industry felt entirely natural. From my undergraduate to graduate studies, I consistently focused on learning and creating in the 3D realm, which gradually shaped me into a CG generalist.

My work encompasses the entire production pipeline—from initial concept to final rendering—including modeling, scene layout, texturing, lighting, animation, and real-time rendering. Using tools like Unreal Engine, Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter, I provide visual design and technical support for projects such as animated shorts, AR/VR experiences, immersive stage content, and digital installations. I excel at translating complex creative ideas into vibrant, rhythmically expressive imagery. I never impose any limitations on my creations.

In project creation, I specialize in solving issues like “unclear expression” or a “disconnect between form and emotion.” I help clients establish a visually coherent worldview and infuse their work with genuine emotional tension. Whether crafting stylized or realistic pieces, I adapt flexibly while prioritizing the harmony between narrative and atmosphere.

One of my proudest projects was contributing to the 2022 Beijing TV Spring Gala AR dance program, “Our Spring.” Using hybrid 2D/3D animation, we visualized the “spring” imagined by blind children. That experience was transformative—it made me realize that CG isn’t just about building dreams; it’s about making the unseen visible to the world. For me, conveying authentic emotion and warmth matters more than chasing technical perfection.

I want potential clients and audiences to recognize me not merely for my animation skills, but for my commitment to using technology to tell stories. In my view, the true value of CG lies in amplifying untold narratives and creating work that leaves a lingering warmth in people’s hearts. My strength lies not only in technical ability but in translating technology into the language of emotion. I’m particularly drawn to expressions from unconventional perspectives, using animation and immersive technology to redefine how people perceive the world.

My creative philosophy is simple: leverage technology to serve human emotion, crafting poetic yet authentic moments through digital language. If you’re seeking a collaborator with both artistic intuition and technical adaptability—I truly look forward to connecting with you.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding moments for me as an artist come when my work sparks genuine emotional resonance in others.
Whether it’s a character’s gaze, a surreal environment, or a subtle animation detail—if it makes someone pause, smile, or feel truly seen—then every effort feels worth it. Especially working in the technically driven realm of CG, this experience of “making pixels carry warmth” is why I keep creating.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

For me, the most fundamental—yet deeply heartfelt—goal from the very beginning has been this: to one day see my name on the big screen. It’s not just about being seen; it’s a form of confirmation—that the stories I tell, the worlds I create, have genuinely reached someone’s heart.

I still remember the first time I saw my name projected in a dark theater at an animation festival. The moment it lit up under the spotlight, something clicked inside me: this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. When you watch your work illuminate an entire space, while your name quietly lingers at the end—that feeling stays with you forever.

Since then, my ambition has quietly evolved. It’s no longer just about seeing my name; I want that name to be followed by work that’s well-told, beautifully crafted, and deeply moving. I want to create images people remember, and tell stories too profound for words yet powerful enough to stir souls.

Of course, to be honest, I also hope to build a sustainable career doing what I love.
It’s not just about the fulfillment of passion—I want a viable, meaningful professional path.
My aim is to prove that stories crafted with integrity and heart deserve to be seen—and yes, deserve to be valued.

What drives me forward is this quiet hope:
If one day, an honest and beautiful piece flickers on that giant screen—and my name happens to follow it. Nothing could be more fulfilling — at the same time, one can also support oneself with this passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jingleishu.wixsite.com/2001
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinmo757/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pinmo-shu