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

Hi Zipei, thanks for joining us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero is Pete Docter because of his ability to tell emotionally honest and imaginative stories. Films like Inside Out and Up taught me that the most powerful stories come from personal truth.

His work showed me that animation isn’t just about visuals — it’s about emotion. I was especially moved by the Up montage with Carl and Ellie; it reminded me that even the simplest moments can carry deep meaning if told with heart.

Doctor’s courage to explore vulnerability in his films inspires me to bring more sincerity and emotional depth into my own work as an animator and storyteller.

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’m Zipei Zhang (ZP) — a 2D & 3D motion designer and character animator based in New York City. I recently earned my MFA in Computer Arts from the School of Visual Arts, where I deepened my craft in storytelling, visual development, and technical execution. My work blends emotional storytelling with stylized visuals, using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema 4D, and Nuke to bring characters and ideas to life.

I got into animation because I’ve always been drawn to movement and emotion — the way a subtle gesture can speak volumes, or how design can shape the way we feel. Growing up, I was inspired by films like Up and Inside Out, especially Pete Docter’s work, which showed me how animation could tackle deep emotional truths in playful, powerful ways. That influence stays with me in every project I take on.

In my creative practice, I focus on character-driven animation, motion graphics, and stylized 3D visuals, often working with clients in entertainment, advertising, and branding. Whether it’s a short film, an animated brand spot, or a quirky loop for social media, I aim to craft work that’s both emotionally resonant and visually striking.

What sets me apart is my hybrid approach — blending strong design sensibilities with animation that feels alive. I love building characters that feel real, even in surreal settings. I also pride myself on being collaborative, adaptable, and detail-driven, always making sure the creative vision is clearly communicated and elevated.

What I’m most proud of is the emotional connection people feel when they see my work. I want clients and collaborators to know that I care deeply about the story and experience behind every frame — whether it’s joyful, introspective, or just plain weird (in a good way).

If you’re looking for characterful, polished, and heartfelt animation, I’d love to help bring your ideas to life.

Check out my work at http://zpartwork.com

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was that “perfect” work is the only work worth sharing.

In school and early in my career, I would spend way too much time obsessing over every detail — polishing frames, tweaking animations, reworking designs — to the point that I delayed finishing or sharing projects. I thought if something wasn’t flawless, it wasn’t ready. But over time, especially during my MFA at SVA, I realized that perfectionism was holding me back more than pushing me forward.

The turning point came during a group critique. I had over-polished a short animation and lost the energy and spontaneity that made the early version feel alive. A professor told me, “Sometimes your first instinct is your best one — don’t smooth the soul out of your work.” That stuck with me.

Since then, I’ve learned to embrace process over perfection, and to share work even when it feels a little raw. That shift has helped me grow faster, connect with others more genuinely, and stay true to the emotional core of my projects.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to communicate emotion in a way that transcends words. I think all artists are like magicians of emotion — we use visual, auditory, tactile, or physical elements to make people feel something, whether it’s joy, nostalgia, tension, or wonder.

As a motion designer and character animator, there’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing someone emotionally connect with a character I’ve brought to life or a moment I’ve crafted. When that connection happens — when a viewer smiles, laughs, or even tears up — it reminds me why I do what I do. It’s like casting a little emotional spell, and that’s pure magic.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://zpartwork.com
• Instagram: zp_artwork
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zipei-zhang-zp