We recently connected with Yuxin (Yesenia) Tian and have shared our conversation below.
Yuxin (Yesenia), appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
“#352” is an experimental film of mine, based on a sound score I made. At its core, it reflects my yearning for the sounds of my closest neighborhood that I grow up with back in China. The film was made in 2023, shortly after the strictest quarantine restrictions of the pandemic were lifted. Living on the other side of the globe, I vividly imagined the sounds of the apartment building I used to live in. I had lived there for so long that I felt so dear and could easily envision sounds emerging from each floor. I’m very happy that through this project, I went further with my interest in experimental animation and sound design, being able to create a connection between these imaginary sounds and the visual form.
Yuxin (Yesenia), 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?
Hi! I’m Yesenia. I’m a recent graduate from the Character Animation BFA program at CalArts. I’m an animator and a director. My work mainly focuses on 2D animation and pre-production concept development for games and films.
I come from a multicultural background that bridges East and West. In my work, you might notice the quiet pursuit of atmosphere inspired by Chinese Shuimo painting, alongside the tension and playfulness that comes from two worlds colliding.
My training at CalArts gave me a solid understanding of the full 2D animation pipeline. That helps me to manage the flow of a project, and understand how my role fits within a larger team—communicating effectively with clients, directors, and fellow artists across different stages of production.
I’m especially drawn to form—visually and narratively. I’m always curious about how far storytelling and design can stretch, and I love exploring fresh structures or ideas. I believe that projects grow better through development, and the time and thought we invest will always leave a trace in the final result. At the start of a project, I’ll always dive deep into research, try out multiple directions, and search for the one way that truly belongs to the story.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
First of all, creating brings me joy. There’s something deeply fulfilling about imagining a world and then bringing it to life. But more than that, what I find most rewarding is the people I meet along the way—people who share the same passion with me. They’re incredibly talented, grounded, and idealistic in the best way. They live with intention, connect with others, and always find a way to make things happen. Whether in school or on collaborative projects, I’ve been lucky to work alongside people like this. Their presence is inspiring—and reminds me why I love doing what I do.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My creative goal is about purity. I was in love with the game “Fruit Ninja” (2010) when I was a kid. The classic version of the game was incredibly pure. I admire how the one and only thing that matters in the game is to slice. It provides a whole package of slicing experience, through shining blade effect, splashing juice from fruits, accompanied with wooden textured background and Zen music. Every element is aiming at the essence of an ninja slicing with their blade. I appreciate the Fruit Ninja’s creative precision and purity, and aspire to create works with such integrity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yuxintian.squarespace.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeseniatian
Image Credits
All images created and credited to me.