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

Charlene, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

How did you learn to do what you do?
-I learned through experimental animation, focusing on stream-of-consciousness, layered emotions, dreamscapes, and time. I incorporated design principles into my filmmaking—not just for visuals but also for pacing and flow.
Knowing what I know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process?
-I could have looked beyond animation sooner to see what people in other fields were doing—editorial designers, writers, fine artists, etc. This would have helped me recognize the underlying connections between creative disciplines earlier.
What skills do you think were most essential?
-Understanding that there are commonalities across all creative disciplines in how design affects viewer perception was crucial.
What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
-Initially limiting myself to animation references rather than exploring how design principles manifest across all creative fields.

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.

I am an award-winning animation filmmaker and artist based in Los Angeles. I work across independent animation, design, painting. I studied filmmaking in NYU and discovered my passion for experimental animation there, so I went to USC for graduate studies in animation.
My work often explores the un-named layers of emotions in meandering dreamscapes. I’m interested in non-linear storytelling and visual compositions, investigating how abstract storytelling can evoke complex emotional resonance. I believe in fluidity and oneness, as the underlying philosophy of all my creative endeavors.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Art is a conduit for breaking prejudices for its transformative power. For me, making statements on feminism /gender equalities will always be something that fuels my creative efforts.

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

The best thing about being an artist is when your artwork creates an impact on others. When it reminds them of a long forgotten feeling or opens up new sensations for them, you feel like you’re connected to people you don’t personally know on a deeper level.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charlenexu.com
• Instagram: @charlene_xxu
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/ charlene-xu-artist

Image Credits

Charlene Xu All Rights Reserved