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

Alright, Joy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I think the most meaningful project I worked on was my punch needle art show at a local Chinatown coffee shop called ArtBean Coffee Roaster. It was a solo art show held back in 2023 October. I was very fortunate to have this opportunity to experiment my art creation using yarn as a material. My theme for the show was about celebrating life and death through the threads of yarns with beautiful vibrant colors. The art pieces I made are several punch needle designs with the skulls, color beads, felt balls, embroidered details, and some animal graphics. I want to connect people with their inner soul using my colorful and comforting artworks.

Joy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hello! My name is Joy Tien, and I’m originally from Taiwan. After earning my Fine Art degree, I moved to the U.S. to pursue a career in 3D animation. Now, I work as a Senior 3D Artist at BUCK, where I specialize in creating commercials and digital content. But beyond my professional work, I love exploring different art forms—whether it’s digital illustration, punch-needle art, or ceramic sculpture. Experimenting with new mediums keeps my creativity alive, and I’m always excited to dive into passion projects!

As a Senior 3D Artist, I move between roles as a skilled generalist and a lead artist, collaborating with my teammates, producers and directors across various projects. I specialize in look development and lighting for animated commercials, bringing characters to life with rich textures, intricate materials, and dynamic lighting. I’ve also had the exciting opportunity to work with BUCK’s Technology team on innovative AR and VR projects, crafting interactive experiences for a range of clients. With a Fine Arts background, I bring a unique perspective to the intersection of technology and artistic expression, blending creativity with technical precision.

Outside of my 3D work, I’m passionate about sharing knowledge and fostering creative communities. I’ve spoken at events like Dash Bash in Raleigh, NC, and guest lectured at schools including Taipei National University of the Arts, University of the Incarnate Word, Pratt, and the School of Visual Arts. From 2016 to 2019, I served on the board of NYC ACM SIGGRAPH, organizing events and helping grow the art community. In 2021–2022, I was part of the Production Session sub-committee for the ACM SIGGRAPH annual conference and moderated Sony Animation: Man vs. Machine. Since 2024, I’ve been advising MFA thesis students at the School of Visual Arts, guiding emerging talent as they develop their thesis films.

My art is a reflection of the world as I experience it—shaped by the places I’ve been, the moments that have moved me, and the inspirations that keep me creating. In 2023, I had the joy of showcasing my skull punch-needle art in a solo exhibition at Artbean Coffee Roaster, using colorful yarn to explore my fascination with the afterlife. Last year, I welcomed my sweet baby into the world, and now I can’t wait to see everything through her fresh eyes—finding inspiration in life’s little wonders and making art together along the way. I hope to keep discovering, creating, and inspiring others in the process!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My creative journey has evolved over time, shaped by the inspirations and emotions I’ve experienced in different phases of life. As a child, I loved drawing things that fascinated me. Growing up with Japanese manga and anime sparked my passion for art and led me to practice my skills through fan art recreations. As I got older, I began developing my own artistic voice. Art became an escape from reality—I found joy in creating characters in fantastical worlds and dreamed of one day bringing them to life in my own anime show.

However, in 2023, art took on a new meaning for me. It became a form of therapy following the loss of my beloved dachshund, Nana, who passed away nearly two years ago in Taiwan. She had the most endearing features—a sleek black coat, mustard-yellow eyebrows, and an expressive personality that I deeply cherished. Being away in the U.S. for my career, I had limited time with her over the past decade, which made her passing even more difficult.

To process my emotions, I turned to ceramic art, sculpting pieces that captured Nana’s unique gestures and spirit. This creative process became a source of comfort and healing. I was fortunate to showcase these handmade sculptures at the Affordable Art Fair last year, where they resonated with audiences in ways I hadn’t expected. Seeing my personal, therapeutic art touch others’ hearts was incredibly moving and reaffirmed my passion for creating.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue creating whimsical Nana-inspired art that celebrates the joy of our time together—whether through 3D, illustration, or sculpture. Through my work, I want to share her story and the warmth she brought into my life with a wider audience, keeping her spirit alive in a meaningful and creative way.

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

As an artist, I see creating art as a way to prove my existence—a testament to my resilience and dedication. Life is short, and with the limited time I have, I want to create and share as much art as possible.

One project I’ve remained committed to is my annual holiday card tradition. To challenge myself creatively and explore new artistic techniques, I started designing a holiday card every year for my family and friends. As part of this tradition, I set a personal goal to experiment with a different art style each time. This project has been ongoing since 2004, when I was a high school student, and it has become a visual record of my artistic growth.

Over the years, my holiday cards have evolved from illustrated comic book art to painterly 2D compositions and even 3D-rendered illustrations. This journey has been incredibly rewarding, constantly pushing me to improve and innovate. Most importantly, my friends and family eagerly anticipate my cards each year, which brings me so much joy and motivation to keep going.

I encourage everyone to take on a creative challenge like this—it’s a fulfilling experience, and I guarantee the time and effort are well worth it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/joytien
• Instagram: tienmomo.art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joytien/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQxWPTK8RKE

Image Credits

Joy Tien, and @capturedby.mia