Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jieru Tang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jieru, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When choosing my undergraduate major, I had already envisioned pursuing a career related to artistic creation. I have had a passion for drawing and doodling since childhood, and the process of creating art has always been therapeutic for me. Every time I pick up a paintbrush and make strokes on paper, I feel a sense of fulfillment, contentment, and happiness.

After obtaining my undergraduate degree in Industrial Design, I am currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in Illustration and Dynamic Media Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. The moments of healing become even more profound for me when I can animate the illustrations I create using the techniques of animation. Bringing my illustrations to life through animation adds a dynamic and vibrant dimension to the visual expression. These moments of healing further strengthen my determination and belief in pursuing a career in the art industry.

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 am an illustrator and motion designer from China, currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. I am pursuing a dual master’s degree in Illustration and Motion Media Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design. After completing my undergraduate degree in Industrial Design, I discovered that I wasn’t particularly adept at “Service Design” within the field of design. However, my interest in “Communication Design” led me to switch my major to Illustration. During communication with my professors, I also learned about the Motion Media Design program, which I believe is both creative and challenging. In this program, students not only learn creative design but also how to use various software to implement and package their design concepts, making them more competitive in the industry. Therefore, I prepared a portfolio and decided to pursue a degree in Motion Media Design in addition to my Illustration degree.

I specialize in creating illustrations and advertising and promotional videos using After Effects and C4D. In the realm of illustration, I have worked on packaging illustrations, book illustrations, editorial illustrations, and more. Regarding motion graphics animations, I have produced rebranding videos, narrative animations, and logo animation designs. What sets me apart is my proficiency in both disciplines, allowing me to independently manage a project from initial illustration creation to the final animation. When collaborating with others, I consider both aspects of production, facilitating more efficient and seamless communication to ensure every detail aligns cohesively.

One notable project is the “Amusement Park” animation, where I first illustrated the scenes in Illustrator and then brought them to life through animation in After Effects. Despite the challenges, this process was both laborious and enjoyable, providing a sense of accomplishment when witnessing my illustrations come to life. I aim to infuse each of my artworks with a sense of vitality and energy, hoping that viewers, including clients and fans, can experience joy when encountering my creations. Ensuring that every piece resonates with happiness is of utmost importance to me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

During my first attempt at creating a motion graphic project, I consistently approached it with the mindset of creating illustrative artwork. I always aimed for visually stunning and elaborate scenes. However, I soon realized that motion graphics emphasize transitions between videos, camera angles, and the visual effects of animations. Consequently, I encountered numerous challenges during my initial project. Gradually, I began to navigate through these challenges by seeking online courses on platforms like YouTube, scheduling Office Hours with professors for guidance, and continuously refining my work.

In the end, my persistence paid off as I received the highest score for this assignment. Over time, I’ve adapted to the project processes and rhythms of the Motion Media Design program. Everything is gradually becoming more familiar and manageable. I firmly believe that the feelings of pressure and discomfort are beneficial as they propel rapid progress and personal growth.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I initially enrolled in the Motion Media Design program, I realized that I had misconceptions about “Motion Graphic.” Many of the motion graphics animations I had seen online were, in reality, based on the logic of 2D animation rather than motion graphic advertisements. Consequently, as I began my professional courses in Motion Media Design, starting with photography and storyboarding classes, I found it challenging to grasp the key concepts. This led me down some unnecessary paths, and I believe that having a clearer understanding of the distinctions between “Motion Graphic” and “2D Animation” from the beginning would have made my learning journey more lucid and efficient.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jierutang.com
• Instagram: liuquan_illustration
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jieru-tang-790a73256/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4J1hqYrgF6nC7ZYREL4YYg
• Other: Email: carolineliuquan123@gmail.com

Image Credits
Artist: Jieru Tang Art Director: Christina Maloney, Rick Lovell, Phivi Spyridonos