We were lucky to catch up with Zhongbo Ren recently and have shared our conversation below.

Zhongbo, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I grew up immersed in traditional art, training in sketching, oil, and gouache painting from an early age. So I had a passion to express my life, experience and imagination by using those skills. Especially, the dramatic landscape that I saw or a memorial moment that I wanted to record. Those internal passion like a seed growing in my entire childhood. I was always wondering if there is a way that I could express my imagination not only by drawing on a two dimensional canvas, but also more dramatic, more depth, more storytelling way. At the end, I have found out that the entire movie actually made of countless dramatic pictures, which is exactly what I want to do. Therefore, at that moment, I want to be a designer in the film industry, which is the production designer that I’m currently doing.

Zhongbo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I hold a BFA in Production Design from The Beijing Film Academy and spent time working in the film industry in China after his undergraduate training. I finished my MFA in Production Design 2021 at UCLA, School of Theater, Film and Television. Since moving to Los Angeles, I have worked on a variety of short films and music videos, acting as either production designer or art director. His projects have been recognized for multiple awards, including Best Micro Film, an Apex Short Film Award, and a DGA Student Film Award, among others. After graduation, he entered the PDI program in Art Director Guild to pursue a professional working position in the film industry. Currently, he is working on TV mini series as a production designer.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As a production designer In the film industry, we are always facing problems from different departments, Even though, we could finish the design early, but we might need to change the design because of external elements, Like budget, time or schedule. I spent weeks researching, brainstorming, sketching, and refining ideas. After numerous drafts and revisions, I finally finished the design.

At first, the entire team feels the design is really good. But then, as the project progressed, because of the budget limitation, the producer requested significant changes. They wanted a complete shift in direction, which meant starting from scratch on many elements. It was disheartening because I had invested so much time and energy into the original concept, and it felt like a huge setback.

I was frustrated and questioned whether I could meet their new expectations while staying true to my creative vision. However, I reminded myself that resilience in design often means adapting to changes and finding new solutions under pressure.

I took a step back, reassessed the feedback, and re-approached the project with a fresh perspective. I broke down the new requirements into manageable tasks and set clear milestones to track progress. I also communicated openly with the producer to ensure that their requirment was being met while keeping the project on track.

The revised designs took several more weeks to complete, and there were still challenges along the way. But by remaining adaptable and focused, I managed to deliver the final design that not only met the budget limitation but also earned their praise for the creativity and professionalism.

This experience taught me the importance of staying resilient and flexible, especially when facing setbacks. It reinforced that the ability to pivot and persevere, even when things don’t go as planned, is a crucial part of being a successful designer.

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

The rewarding aspect is the constant opportunity for growth and exploration. Creativity often involves stepping out of your comfort zone, trying new techniques, and solving unique problems. This continual learning process keeps things exciting and allows me to continually refine my craft. Also, the blend of personal fulfillment and the ability to make a meaningful impact on others is what makes the creative journey so rewarding. It’s a cycle of inspiration, creation, and connection that keeps me motivated and passionate about what I do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.zhongbo-ren.com/
• Instagram: zhongbo_ren