Today we’d like to introduce you to Shengnan Dong

Hi Shengnan, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I am an artist based in New York, focusing primarily on creating 3D character design and stop-motion fabrication and indie toy design through illustrations, modeling, and sculpting techniques. I think the skills of using 3d printing that represents my design in digital to real life is something exciting to share. My goal is to construct an exciting world filled with amusing and adorable characters for my audience to enjoy. Ever since I was a kid, I have loved experimenting with various media and learning new techniques to expand my artistic horizons. From drawing and painting to CG modeling and sculpting, I am now delving into the realms of 3D printing and miniature-making.

I believe the world of art is vast and should not be confined to specific mediums. That’s why I am always eager and motivated to learn new methods that can bring more possibilities to my art.

Personally, I’m a big fan of stylized art that is colorful and visually appealing. My goal is to create something fun and interesting that could bring joy to my audience. I want to create a vivid world full of interesting characters and ideas. I believe the world of art is vast and should not be confined to specific mediums. That’s why I am always eager and motivated to learn new methods that can bring more possibilities to my art to challenge myself to experience something new.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?

Obtaining all this knowledge is not easy, especially when designing/modeling characters; knowing the features of human anatomy and gaining a sense of artistic vision are extremely important. This comes from long-term learning, and I’m still in the process of learning. Three years ago, I knew nothing about how to design and to create; I didn’t know what I wanted and couldn’t even create anything that looked good. I had compared myself with someone who is way more experienced than me and always felt unconfident because of the things that i have not learned yet. I went through a series of struggles and finally found my way of creating art. As I mentioned before, everyone has their own progress in learning, and their own experiences toward success, and so do I. When faced with something different, the right thing to do is to constantly learn, face the problem, and overcome it, rather than becoming overwhelmed and complaining about how difficult it is or how good other people are.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I am a character designer and a designer of collectible toys. My next goal is to create a playful brand of collectible toys. The style of this brand will feature quirky and whimsical designs, characterized by vibrant colors and unique shapes. The materials used will include various techniques such as handcrafted designs, felted wool, 3D printing, and more. My design philosophy is that adults can also have a childlike heart and enjoy a colorful world. These quirky characters represent the fantastical creatures in our minds, adding color to our inner world.

How do you define success?

I believe success is never about comparison with others. Everyone has their own life journey and pace towards things. If I compare my success with others, it will surely be unsuccessful because there are always many people doing things that I can never accomplish. Therefore, my success in the present must be compared with my past. Success in my definition is a consistence self-improvement. Did I become more confident than a year ago, has my work has improved through these years, and do i enjoy my current life? If the answer is yes, i think I’m doing good and successfe in my current state.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shengnandong.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaymarch__/