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

Mingxin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

To push an idea into execution, I would start with thorough research and study. As designers, I often come up with ambitious ideas that might involve knowledge I am not yet familiar with. So, bringing an idea to life is also a process of learning and, sometimes, compromising.

When I come up with an idea for motion storytelling, it usually begins with just a concept or a rough storyline. The first thing I do is write down all the key ideas—almost like a brain dump. Then, I organize these thoughts to create a plan.

I usually start by setting up a keynote file, dividing it into sections like “Idea,” “Moodboard,” “Sketch,” and “Style Frame.” From there, I gather inspiration from all kinds of sources—images, movies, and any relevant knowledge I can find. The journey from idea to final product isn’t a straight path. I explore several different styles and do visual experiments to figure out the best direction. This part can take anywhere from a few days to several months, depending on the project.

Once I’ve settled on a direction, I start sketching each scene in the story. For commercial projects, this step requires a lot of back-and-forth with the client to make sure we’re aligned. After that, I match the sketches with music or sound effects, which helps finalize the length of the video. With a solid visual direction and sketches in place, the animation process becomes much smoother.

Personally, I like to refine my sketches while animating—it keeps the process dynamic and helps me stay connected to the project. Creating motion graphics and animations is time-consuming, but with a solid plan in place, it’s also one of the most enjoyable parts of the job.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a multidisciplinary designer specializing in graphic design, motion graphics, and illustration. My passion has always been about transforming ideas into visual language, across different styles and media. I often draw inspiration from emotions and feelings—each person sees the world through a unique lens, and I believe that makes our perspectives different and valuable.

Through design and art, I try to express what I see in this world. That’s what led me to start my own design service, Mossy Studio. Moss might be small, but it’s full of life. It spreads to every corner, coloring streets, cities, and forests.

For me, emotions like loneliness, isolation, grief, and even the unspoken words around women’s rights push me to create. My voice as a designer might still be small, but I aim to create designs that touch people’s hearts and, hopefully, make a small difference in the world.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

One resource I wish I knew about earlier is the power of attending offline design events, like Design Week and various studio summits. In today’s world, it’s so easy to connect with others on social media, but networking in person has shown me a different kind of value. Meeting other creatives face-to-face, sharing work, getting real-time feedback, and just being in that environment is incredibly inspiring. It’s something that’s had a big impact on my growth as a designer.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part of being a designer is getting to express myself in ways that go beyond words. I find that words can be limiting, especially when it comes to conveying the nuances of feelings and emotions. But when I use color, illustration, or music, I can express things that words just can’t capture. It’s amazing to think that no matter where someone is from, they can still feel and connect with what I’m trying to say through my work. That kind of connection is really powerful for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mingxin-cheng.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mx.c_design/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mingxin-cheng-bba786193/