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

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

I have been drawn to creativity for as long as I can remember, thanks to my love for animations and anime as a kid. Drawing and crafting became my favorite hobbies, and I knew early on that I wanted to do something creative for a living.

I started by studying graphic design in California, where I learned about the basic art foundation and design principles. However, it was not until I transferred to the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York to pursue 3D Animation that I truly found my passion. One of the main reasons why I changed my artistic path was because I got inspired when I attended several music festivals and immersive art installations. I was amazed by how sound and visuals could come together to create such powerful experiences.

That is when I realized my true passion. I dove into motion design, learning animation techniques and exploring 3D art. It is a path that lets me combine my love for art, technology, and storytelling into something amazing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am originally from Macau, China, and I am a 3D artist. I specialize in CG Effects and compositing, crafting immersive and believable visuals for a wide range of applications.

In my role, I provide creative solutions through 3D art for commercials, films, and other visual media. What sets me apart from others in the industry is not just my technical proficiency, but also my strong communication and problem-solving skills. It is important to mention that working in 3D is often a team effort. I have learned that being a team player is essential in this field, as projects typically involve collaboration with other artists, animators, and designers.

One of my proudest achievements is my thesis short film, “Dulce,” in a team of three with Aleyda Ortiz and Kevin Class. It was a labor of love that allowed us to showcase our creativity and storytelling abilities. Bringing that project to life was a rewarding experience, and seeing it resonate with audiences filled me with pride.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Initially, I had doubts about diving into 3D animation because of its technical and artistic demands. However, exposure to the incredible work of artists on platforms like ArtStation and Instagram showed me what was possible. Their creations inspired me and boosted my confidence, making me believe that I could achieve similar feats. I also found that the more I invested myself in my projects, the more I discovered the beauty of storytelling power in digital art.

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

Reflecting on my creative journey, firstly, I wish I had understood sooner that it’s okay to try new things and learn at any age. I used to be afraid to explore things that interested me, but now I see that learning new skills and trying out new ideas can be really rewarding. I also wish I had discovered all the tutorials and resources available online sooner. There were so many helpful resources and communities out there, like videos and courses.

One of the most important things I have learned is the value of having genuine connections and friends. They have given me a lot of great feedback on my work and helped me grow a lot as an artist. Making connections with other artists was really valuable and has made my creative journey a lot more fun and exciting.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lokcheang.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lok_n_roll/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lokcheang/

Image Credits
Aleyda Ortiz – Director, Writer, Character design, CFX, and LookDev Artist for “Dulce” Kevin Class – Producer, Animator, Rigger, sound designer, and Editor for “Dulce”