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

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

“The hardest thing to do is leaving your comfort zone. But you have to let go of the life you’re familiar with and take the risk to live the life you dream about.” This quote comes from a post I saw on LinkedIn one day when I was living in my comfort zone. At the time, my days were predictable, stable, and routine. I had finished my time at Savannah College of Art and Design, was getting my foot in the door as a freelance Illustrator and Motion Designer, and had a stable living arrangement—but, I wasn’t happy. My deepest desires for joy, discovery, and creativity were not being fulfilled. There was no way of achieving my goals in that environment.

The aforementioned quote was a small push that I needed at that moment. So, I ventured outside of my comfort zone. I packed up all of my belongings and didn’t look back. I moved across the country to start a new chapter of my life—and found myself absolutely loving the challenges ahead. I discovered a passion for being an independent Asian woman, especially in the world of freelance. As for the results of this risk—I am still discovering this for myself. In the short term, I am welcoming the risks and challenges ahead as a catalyst to move forward. In the long term, I don’t know how my journey will unfold—but, I believe there is a profound beauty in not knowing what the future holds.

Sarah, 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?

My name is Sarah Haftorson, I’m a freelance Illustrator and Motion Designer. I love animating in After Effects using 2D design, illustration, and cel animation to invite viewers on a journey of discovery. Originally, I was born in Guigang, China and adopted at a very young age. My adoptive father also served in the Army, so I’ve had the privilege of growing up all over the United States with my family. From my experiences with cultural diversity and attending different schools, I’ve learned to welcome change and pride myself on adaptability and empathy. Although I’ve never known my biological parents, I’ve always had a deep desire to learn more about my Chinese culture. Much of my work draws inspiration from East Asian styles. For example, ‘S’ curves are prominent in traditional Chinese art, so I often use elegant lines and flow in my illustrations and animations. I’m also passionate about color, timing, food, and incorporating symbolism in the details of my work. I enjoy telling stories that spark curiosity and create emotional connection.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Being adopted from China and never knowing my biological parents greatly influenced my fascination with the “why” behind things. I value taking the time to learn about myself and those around me. By doing so, my artistic goal is to tell a story that truly captures a person or experience in a way that is honest and beautiful. One example of this is a self-portrait that I illustrated to celebrate my adoption day, titled “茜 Qiàn Means Red.” 江茜茜 (Jiang Qiàn Qiàn) is the name that was given to me by my Chinese orphanage. 江 (jiang) means “river,” and 茜 (qiàn) refers to the color alizarin red. I deeply enjoyed the process of learning about my Chinese name and creating an illustration that would capture its symbolism.

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

I love having the opportunity to listen to others, learn their story, and accentuate it by creating beautiful visuals. I believe that we are constantly surrounded by a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, shared passions, and opportunities to help someone in need. My current career focus is on advertising and editorials. If someone’s going to ask you to buy something or share their opinion, why not make it beautiful? I find much joy in being challenged to design and communicate something that has yet to be discovered. I also appreciate the mutual trust required to illustrate or animate someone’s story or personal experience. At the end of a project, the cherry on top is hearing people say that they learned something new or that it resonated with them.

Contact Info:

• Website: sarahhaftorson.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/sarahhaftorson
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/sarahhaftorson