We were lucky to catch up with Qianqian Zhang recently and have shared our conversation below.

Qianqian, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

The inspiration for my creative services business came from a special project where I created an entirely new world. I often record interesting events and dreams from my daily life, which fuel my creativity. I was also inspired by a book called “The Right Brain Thinker, The Left Brain Thinker,” which made me ponder the differences between people and how these differences shape our perspectives.

I started by mapping out my ideas, integrating various creative elements to form a cohesive world view. I drew inspiration for character design from the people around me, adding depth and uniqueness to each character. This creative journey made me realize that through animation, I can express my ideas and bring warmth to others’ lives.

Thus, I decided to start my own creative services business, focusing on high-quality storyboard and visual storytelling services. I am confident that there is a strong demand for personalized and creative services in the market. My attention to detail and extensive experience will help me stand out. My goal is to use animation to convey warmth and strength, creating deep emotional connections with the audience.

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?

My name is Qianqian Zhang and I am an animation artist currently living and studying in Savannah, Georgia. I graduated from the Chinese Academy of Opera in 2021 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and am currently pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design. I am currently working on my MFA in Animation at Savannah College of Art and Design. I am currently focusing on storyboarding for animation.

I’m an animation creator inspired by romanticism and perfectionism. My journey into this industry began with a passion for creating worlds that warm people’s hearts and illuminate their lives.

In my creative process, I use mind maps and integrate unique elements to develop storylines and characters. For example, my project “Memory of the Forbidden City” combines historical research with creative lighting to highlight character differences and enhance dramatic conflict. I strive to create animations that tell compelling stories and bring joy to viewers.

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

I conceive animation is a universal medium that can communicate concepts and narratives without the use of spoken language. Meanwhile, learning to animate is much more than software. At the core of effective animation is an understanding of motion, characterization and the portrayal of performance, which encourages me to create innovative, animated characters that can move convincingly and perform with emotion and psychological nuance, helping me become a reflective, innovative practitioner able to locate myself within the animation industry. With new technologies changing how we make, understand and experience animation, students are encouraged to test boundaries and look at animations in many forms and in many ways. To unfold scenes vivid and achieve lens motion flexibly, storyboard is also highly stressed in the production stage. I should also attach great importance to advanced 3D modeling, lighting, texturing, and animating in a 3D space. Your program emphasizes creativity and a multidisciplinary approach to producing innovative animation, motion graphics and experimental art within a collaborative state-of-the-art production environment. This is exactly also what I want to achieve in my graduate study. After lots of trials on various forms and topics, I can find my favourite animation form and afterwards, I am capable of doing what I want with further and through understanding on animation. After graduation, even during my future graduate study, I aspire to work in most prestigious companies and digital studios of DreamWorks or Disney, creating works that continue to challenge norms, question standards, and surprise people long after they leave.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

As a creative worker, my inspiration often comes from unexpected places, whether it’s a dream, a conversation, or even a line from a book. These moments ignite my creativity, driving me to turn ideas into reality. The creative process may be somewhat challenging for non-creatives to grasp. It’s not just about having an idea and executing it perfectly. Instead, creativity is a continual process of trial, improvement, and even starting over. Each project is a journey of discovery, filled with twists and turns that shape the final outcome. Emotion also plays a significant role in my work. Each project deeply reflects my thoughts, feelings, and experiences. This emotional investment, though both exhilarating and exhausting, imbues my work with authenticity and depth. As a perfectionist, I continually strive to push the boundaries of possibility. I’m always seeking to improve, refine, and enhance my skills. While the pursuit of perfection may come with some pressure, the value of this effort is evident when I see my work impacting others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zqq990402.wixsite.com/my-site-8
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qianqiansworld?igsh=Nm9reWE3NDZubHN2&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qianqian-zhang-3818bb265