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

Christina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I think about it often, actually! Growing up in Indonesia, where pursuing a more “traditional” field of study is the norm, I don’t know many people who chose art as a career. After graduating from college with a degree in 3D Animation, I realized how different my career path is compared to many of my friends back home. For example, in art school, a good GPA doesn’t necessarily guarantee a good job after graduation. I was just discussing this with a friend recently, and I feel that people with more traditional majors who study abroad often have a safety net when it comes to finding a job back home. In contrast, for someone like me, finding a job in Indonesia, where art careers are often underpaid, underappreciated, and essentially non-existent, can be more challenging. Nevertheless, I absolutely love what I do and can’t see myself in any other field.

Christina, 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 always envisioned pursuing a college major centered around art. After learning about the differences between 2D and 3D Animation, I became fascinated by the 3D pipeline! So, here’s a little bit about what I do: I specialize in 3D animation, focusing on work for both feature films and video games. For example, when you play a video game and see your character attack another character, or watch a Pixar film, that’s essentially the kind of work I do. I don’t create the characters; that’s a different department. My job is to bring them to life through movement. After three years of studying 3D Animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design, I graduated and landed an internship at Affray Interactive, working on the game SCP: 5K. This position marks my first professional job in the industry!

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

As artists, we all experience our fair share of ups and downs. For example, there are times when a piece doesn’t turn out as we envisioned, or when we suddenly find ourselves unable to create, often referred to as art-block. Some people might think being an artist is an easy job, which explains why it is sometimes looked down upon. However, the reality is that working in a creative field can be just as challenging as any other profession. In a big world of artists, developing a unique style to stand out from the crowd is very important—which is more difficult than it sounds! But one thing all artists can agree on is that when a piece turns out exactly as we imagined it (or even better), it’s the most rewarding feeling in the world, no matter how hard or rough the process was.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

There are multiple ways society can support artists and foster a thriving creative ecosystem. One helpful way is by integrating art into school systems. Growing up, art education in my school was practically non-existent, and more so, I often got punished for drawing in class! Schools need to understand that incorporating more creative classes not only enriches the educational experience but also allows students to develop the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to thrive in an evolving world.

Additionally, society needs to be more aware of the impact of AI in the art world. AI-based tools are becoming increasingly powerful, and they are capable of generating thousands of images in various styles within seconds. However, this devalues the work of human artists, who spend years honing their skills and developing their unique styles. Moreover, do we really want to produce art that essentially steals the work of thousands of other artists? We must recognize the value of human creativity and adapt to a world where AI continues to develop.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tinatjahjadi.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinnierkun
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinatjahjadi/
• Other: Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/tinatjahjadi