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

Irene, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

The desire to create always pushed me forward, albeit at the start I did not realize what I wanted to pursue with this spark. Before I faced the revelation of the entertainment industry during high school, creating designs and illustrations was merely something I thought would stay a hobby or manifest into a different career. I wished for my endeavors to reach something, yet I had no clue what that would be. It was not until I decided to move on from self-taught skills to learning digital art that I discovered the path to pursuing my interests professionally.

This first step into the industry uncovered countless new worlds, providing insight from new mentors and peers. I learned ways to connect, research, and navigate even further toward pursuing my passion. My dream started solidifying itself from a vast creative desire to a goal to which I could designate a name: a concept artist, a visual development artist, a role that turns imagination into reality. A whimsical life is one I want to live; I’m excited to continue my career with this notion.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I like to think of this role as similar to a blueprint creator; whether you’re creating a movie, an animation, or a game, the breathtaking visuals you see can’t be realized without a designer! The first step, creating gateways to new possibilities, is the responsibility of a concept artist. Characters, environments, small props, and details— Everything seen on the screen first passes through the efforts of these designers. Similarly, a visual development artist guides the mood of a scene and brings ideas to life through visual storytelling, like its name.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I find it the most rewarding when people can take away something meaningful from my work. It always motivates me when my design can spark inspiration, evoke emotions, and eventually lead to something bigger. Even a simple compliment is enough to remind me why I love my role so much!

The design process is also something I enjoy; problem-solving and decision-making through art is something that can be challenging but extremely rewarding at the same time.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

It’s honestly a combination of multiple goals that drive me forward: Improving my technical skills, building a successful career, working on projects that I love, and eventually giving back what I received from my parents! I would love to create my own game or IP in the future as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.irenejung.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjhoaa/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irene-jung-802731224/
• Twitter: https://x.com/_jjhoa?lang=en
• Other: artstation: https://www.artstation.com/jjhoa

Image Credits

Irene Jung