We recently connected with Zhengwu Gu and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Zhengwu thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project for me is Dandelion, a nearly four-minute animated short film that I co-directed with my creative partner, Ling Zhao. We spent a year working on this film, and it was our first time independently bringing a project to life from start to finish. Its significance lies on multiple levels—this was my directorial debut in animation, and I was deeply involved in every aspect of production. From conceptual design to the final shot, I personally refined and adjusted every detail to ensure it aligned with my artistic vision.

However, Dandelion is not just an artistic animation—it is an extension of my thoughts and beliefs. I wanted to explore a universal theme: the nature of human will, the pursuit of ideals, and the constraints imposed by society. In the film, the dandelion symbolizes dreams, while the robot represents human nature and reason. The story strikes a balance between idealism and realism—it begins with curiosity and repression and ends with tragedy and courage. This theme is a culmination of my long-term reflections on reality and my artistic philosophy, and I’m grateful that animation allowed me to express and expand on these ideas.

The film’s success exceeded my expectations. As my first animated short, it received numerous international awards, including Best Animation at the DaVinci International Film Festival, Micheaux Film Festival, Beeston Film Festival, and the Tres Court International Film Festival. It was also selected for over 40 prestigious festivals, including SIGGRAPH 2023/2024, Cleveland International Film Festival, LA Shorts International Film Festival, and Cinequest Film Festival. These achievements not only strengthened my confidence in my craft but also validated my creative vision and storytelling approach.

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?

I developed an interest in traditional art at a young age, as both of my parents are artists. As I grew older, I was drawn to animation and film, quickly recognizing them as the most modern forms of artistic expression—something I wanted to pursue. In 2019, I enrolled at Ringling College of Art and Design, majoring in Computer Animation with a minor in Creative Writing. This marked the official beginning of my journey in animation filmmaking and 3D design.

Today, I am an Animation/Film/Advertisement Director with a track record of leading and collaborating within animation teams to bring creative visions to life. I have expertise in the entire animation pipeline and offer a range of services, including story development, concept design, product/character animation, rendering, and post-production. I help my clients visualize their ideas in the virtual world and create high-quality video content tailored to their needs.

As the co-director of the award-winning animated short Dandelion, I was deeply involved in every step of the animation process, ensuring meticulous attention to detail. Additionally, as the Lead Animation Director at Air A Med, I specialize in using animation and visual design to simplify complex products for both professionals and the public, creating commercial advertisements for platforms like Amazon.

Through years of production, I have come to see animation as one of the most comprehensive and expressive forms of art—one that allows me to construct entire worlds within my mind. However, the challenge lies in transforming imagination into a cohesive, aesthetically refined piece. The most crucial aspect of this process is finding ways to express ideas through the medium itself. I believe that animation is an art of exaggeration, but it should never feel forced. I am drawn to pure visual storytelling rather than relying on words to shape the narrative. I see animated characters as extreme manifestations of real human personalities—they embody obsession and blindness, yet they also seek growth and understanding through their journey.

In my work, I strive to create stories that carry universal values and inclusivity. To me, great art—or at least, my definition of great art—is the pursuit of truth, whether it pertains to a person, a product, an emotion, or an idea. The artistic process enhances these concepts, allowing the audience to see them more clearly. My mission is to provide people with another choice—an alternative perspective through the language of art. Through my work, I aim to redefine the way people perceive the world, or in other words, to create a world that people truly choose to believe in.

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

In the long run, I seek a specific type of recognition—not for individual pieces of work, but for the ideas behind them. I want people to appreciate my work and, in doing so, understand me—my thoughts, my philosophies, and my perspective on the world.

For many years, I hesitated to share my thoughts, uncertain of how they would be received. Not only did I question whether they would be understood, but I also wondered whether the world was ready for them. Many of my ideas challenge conventional perspectives, standing in contradiction to established norms. This tension makes it even harder to determine when and how to express them.

In other words, one of my goals is to rationalize what was once considered irrational, to artistically integrate what does not fit within the existing artistic framework, and to offer the public a new or alternative perspective—whether in art or in thought. Even if, in the beginning, these ideas are met with complete rejection or disdain, I believe that pushing these boundaries is essential to artistic and intellectual evolution.

Beyond personal recognition, I want my ideas to be acknowledged as something more than individual artworks—I want them to form a body of work akin to a philosophical book. However, instead of words, this book will be composed of visuals, emotions, and experiences that influence minds and spirits in ways that extend beyond the screen.

I aspire to present thought-provoking, unconventional, long-lasting ideas in a way that allows audiences to engage with them through artistic compromise. Through animation, hybrid forms of film, or even a series, I am committed to translating these ideas into compelling visual narratives that challenge perceptions and leave a lasting impact.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most valuable aspect of art is its ability to keep up with the times and provoke thought.

A meaningful work should not only achieve artistic breakthroughs but also stay connected to modern technology and contemporary society. The art I pursue is a fusion of new technology and cultural evolution, ensuring that it resonates with today’s audience while still holding value in the future. I am not satisfied with merely creating visually appealing works—I strive to develop artistic expressions that truly reflect the present and future.

I believe that the most valuable creativity is the kind that makes people think, even if it feels controversial at first. A work of art should not only capture the eye but also make people question its meaning. To me, a truly creative work has the power to influence thought—not by controlling a specific way of thinking, but by serving as a guide. This guidance is not about imposing a singular perspective but about allowing each person to develop their own understanding. Through artistic expression, I hope to bring out subtle ideas that already exist within people’s minds, helping them recognize these thoughts and encouraging them to explore further. Perhaps, through this process of reflection, the future itself can become even more valuable.

That is why I continuously explore different artistic fields, from traditional art to animation, always pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling. Looking ahead, I aspire to step into VR visual creation, crafting entirely new immersive experiences where audiences are not just passive viewers but active participants. I want to create spaces where people can exist within the artwork, engage with it on a deeper level, and experience thought-provoking narratives in a way that transcends traditional mediums.

This is what makes art truly meaningful—not just as a form of personal expression, but as a force that inspires people to think differently, spark discussions, and leave a lasting impact.

So maybe the most rewarding aspect is to define a part of the future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sevenoogu.wixsite.com/zgconcept
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zhengwu_gu7/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhengwu-gu007/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ZhengwuGu
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm16492446/?ref_=tt_ov_dr_1

Image Credits

My personal photo should give the credit to JT Holly.