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

Soyun, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

When I was young I always enjoyed drawing and coloring, and dreamed about becoming an artist. However, it took time for me to actually realize my path. My surrounding environment pushed me to do academic studies. In Korea, educational fervor are really high and going to a good university is a big thing. And I knew my parents had expectation of me to pursue a scholarly field, which I didn’t mind at that time. I wasn’t sure about my future until I entered the university in Korea. Since it was so competitive to get into the university I thought I would be happy for my next chapter. But while studying foreign languages there, I figured out this was not my path. That was the time I truly faced myself and asked what do I want to do and what really makes my heart run, then these old memories began brewing in my mind. I love art and animation!
As a kid, one of my biggest joys was watching Hollywood animations and being part of their world. And it gave me a dream on that path. I want to become an artist who makes those animations that move people’s mind and inspire them with meaningful messages. Just like they did to me. That was the moment I decided to pursue my dream as an artist. So I left the university and prepared for the art schools in the U.S.A. After preparing a portfolio and English test, I applied for a few art schools and ended up going to Art Center College of Design located in Pasadena. Luckily, thanks to my parents’ support, I could start on my new adventure.
It wasn’t an easy decision since this meant taking apart from family and home, and starting all over by myself in a whole new place. It was indeed a life changing decision. Not only did it give me the opportunity to get closer to my dream but also became a time to realize and learn about myself. But who knew this was just the beginning of my long journey. Coming to the US didn’t mean I will be able to pursue my dream. I had only just taken one step.

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?

Hello, my name is Soyun Park and I am a visual development artist working in the animation industry. To help you better understand what I do, visual development refers to an art stage in animation production where all the visual designs are created. In this stage vis-dev artists design characters, props and environments as well as the scenes and moods. Not only big pictures but also details are all created in this stage. It’s literally building up the look of the animation by visualizing the story.
How I got into Visual development was actually a happy accident. After changing my path to the artistic field, I was just glad that I could draw and paint. I actually didn’t know what visual development was until I entered art school. My major was “Illustration_Entertainment Arts”, which is mainly about visual development. As I learned more about it I realized this is the path I want to go.
So my goal became specific while studying at school here in the U.S. But this didn’t mean you will get into the industry. I knew how competitive the Animation industry is and as an international student my portfolio needed to stand out to be chosen. Thus, I worked really hard. Since it was my decision to come here, I wanted to prove to myself. I don’t want all those sacrifices to be nothing. I wanted to make the most out of it.
However, during my first 2 years in Art Center, I was far behind, there were gaps with those who started art young. I had to work extra hard to follow up with them. I endured and just kept building up the fundamentals. Art is a field that takes time to see the improvements. I just kept drawing and painting. And then, slowly and steadily I could see I was growing and my portfolio was ready for the industry when I was about to graduate.
During my graduation term, I saw DreamWorks TV was doing a visual development training program and it was the perfect time for me to apply since I had my graduation project as my portfolio. So I applied and right after graduation, I heard back from DreamWorks that I was selected for the final candidate. After the interview I became one of the vis-dev trainees with 3 others among hundreds of applicants. After 12 weeks of training I got offered as a vis-dev artist and since then I have had the pleasure to work on several projects.
As an international artist it is hard to get into the industry and even harder to obtain a Visa. I took one step at a time and faced those hard times up front and found a way to get closer to my dream. I think what all made this possible was the passion, persistence and doing what I can do with the best effort. And maybe the world knew my sincerity.

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

One of the best parts of being an artist is that I can tell stories and share them through my work. As I mentioned, my goal is to become an artist who creates inspiring artworks that can move people’s minds with meaningful messages. And it is definitely what I want to do for a lifetime. It can be a piece that brings up their childhood memories, or a piece that inspires them to do something meaningful, or a piece that drives them to their happy moments, or it can be just a piece that makes them smile. Anything that can bring joy and laughter to make their life a little warmer. That’s the art I want to create and by doing that it will also bring joy to me.
With this goal I want to slowly create my own brand. There are so many stories I want to share visually.

And my mission as a member of the animation industry is to contribute to creating good animations. I believe animation is one of the strongest media that tells a story, attracts people’s eyes, and moves people’s mind. Nothing is impossible in animation. All the magic can happen. And I think that is the strongest charm that animation has. I know it is a hard time in the industry but I believe the magic should go on.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Like I said above, storytelling is the power of being creative and once the audience relates, that will be the most rewarding aspect as an artist.
Also, the charm of working in animation is that you work close with your inner child. As we became adult, we get to lose what we had as a kid: the innocent, the passion, the dream… because you start to realize the world is not as beautiful as you thought. But what I like about working in animation is that we are the industry that tells you, no you still can have that, you just forgot it, it is actually inside of you. Or also tells you it is okay to grow up. I like how the message and lessons that they deliver in animation can relate to everyone. And as an artist who has to convey stories like this, I think we need to be a dreaming and welcoming person. That is what I love about my job, it never makes me get old. And I hope this can help, at least a little bit to make the world a more beautiful and welcoming place. Above all, when the audience gets that message that is the most rewarding moment to me. For kids if I can protect their dreams, for adults if I can make them laugh or smile, my goal is achieved!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.soyunparkart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soyunparkart/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soyun-park-3590aa10b/

Image Credits

All images are copyright to Soyun Park – Do Not Duplicate