We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jesseter Wang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jesseter, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
I think a lot of people struggle to pursue their passions because of external pressures. For me, I initially went into architecture to meet my parents’ expectations. If I could go back, I’d jump into animation much sooner—I feel like I’d have learned so much more and built a stronger portfolio by now. My hesitation was mostly due to a lack of confidence, and honestly, that’s something I regret. But I’ve realized that taking that first step often requires a bit of self-assurance. Once you take that leap, each step after can really lead to meaningful progress.
Jesseter, 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?
Hi I’m Jesseter! I work full-time as a 3D designer and animator at BUCK Design’s New York office. Three years ago, I made the switch from architecture to animation after spending two years as an architect. While I enjoyed architecture, I realized my real passion was in creative expression. That led me to teach myself tools like Cinema 4D, After Effects, and Maya, which allowed me to work on personal projects and develop my animation skills
As I refined my skills, I started taking on freelance work, working with smaller clients on tasks like designing posters, and product visuals, and creating 5-10 second loop animations for social posts. That experience helped me build a portfolio, which eventually led to my current full-time job. Then I got the chance to work on larger-scale projects for well-known brands like Apple, Meta, Microsoft, IBM, and focusing on creating more dynamic animations and designs. Collaborating with those talented teams has helped me grow both creatively and technically, and it’s helped me come up with new ideas and keep refining my skills.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
It was actually a very small thing that changed my life. My interest in animation sparked when I stumbled upon a Cinema 4D video online. During my architecture studies, I had experience using 3D software for modeling, but seeing how others created such diverse and captivating works with similar tools was truly inspiring. That’s what motivated me to start learning something new outside of work, and it led me into the animation industry
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I simply enjoy the whole creative process, even with its ups and downs. I grew up watching amazing animations, and I’ve always loved super dynamic pieces. So that’s why I always wish to be the one to bring those beautiful still designs to life and make them move. There’s something both challenging and satisfying about taking an idea and seeing it come to life.
Every project teaches me something new and pushes me to grow, which I really appreciate. Honestly, I’m just grateful to be on this journey and to keep exploring what I can create
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jesseterw.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesseterw/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesseterwang/
