Yuqun Huang

Ever since I was a child, I have had a strong desire to become an artist. I fondly recall those precious moments spent beside my grandfather's desk, eagerly peering over as he sketched, and finding inspiration to craft little poems from my interpretations. He would proudly display my poems alongside his artwork, fostering my budding creativity. As I matured, an exciting opportunity presented itself during my senior year of college: the opportunity to study abroad. There, I had the freedom to choose courses consistent with my passions. It was during this time that I was introduced to motion design for the first time, and I was immediately captivated by the unparalleled freedom it offers artists.

I'm a designer at yU+co, the world's leading design firm based in Hollywood. I have worked mainly on end-to-end for "The Little Mermaid", "Candy Cane Lane", "Billy the Kid", "Starwar: Ahsoka", "The Monkey King", Cadillac user manual video packages, Prologis AI conference, etc. In my spare time, I did some personal motion graphics projects. "Mantras of Burning Man: A Meditative Journey (Burning Man Promo)" won the prestigious platinum award at the AVA Design Awards and will be featured in the Creative Quarterly 74 online gallery. Slashie won gold at the 2024 Muse Creative Awards and three other international awards.

Observing everyday life, capturing something, reflecting on it, and creating artwork that resonates with the audience.

To me, a 'creative' idea or design emerges from real-life experiences but is metaphorically reimagined by the artist, subtly conveying situations that merit thoughtful consideration.

My creative and design process usually starts by familiarizing myself with the material. Whether reading scripts or reviewing product briefs, understanding the context is essential. This initial step allows me to tailor ideas specifically for the client or audience I serve.

My favorite part of the creative process is the design research phase. I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in understanding every aspect of the object I'm about to depict, whether it's a product or concept. In addition, I relish the conceptual stage, where I connect seemingly unrelated elements to find common ground and achieve a wonderful metaphorical effect.

In my professional work, I often employ 3D techniques, leaning towards a fantastical style. However, in my projects, I gravitate towards a softer 2D style. I incorporate bright colors and clean, sharp vector lines to capture the essence of a subject succinctly.

I was born and raised in Hangzhou, a picturesque city in southeast China. Hangzhou, once the capital of the Song Dynasty, is renowned for its profound emphasis on artistic development. Even Emperor Huizong, a ruler of the Song Dynasty, was an exceptional painter. I think growing up in this environment has subtly shaped my aesthetic sensibilities over the years. In 2022, I had the opportunity to design the Chinese stamps featured in the main title sequence of "The Monkey King," a Netflix movie produced by Stephen Chow.

Winning the MUSE Creative Awards 2024 is a tremendous source of encouragement for me. I see it as a mirror that prompts constant self-reflection and fosters curiosity and a deep desire for creative expression. This recognition keeps me grounded and maintains my passion for exploration and creation.

The winning work I entered in the MUSE Creative Awards 2024 is a film centered around a girl balancing her life and work. I chose to enter this project because I wanted to inspire everyone not to be confined by the routines of daily work but to actively explore the diversity of life and revel in the joy of being human.

The biggest challenge with this project was animation, especially character animation. At first, I was worried, so I enlisted the help of my friend Yani Sun. She not only helped with the animation but also provided invaluable insights from concept to editing. I am incredibly grateful to her for dedicating many Sundays to refining this project with me.

Winning the award exposed me to many outstanding peers and their work during the competition. This experience inspired me to work even harder to maintain and improve the quality of my output.

Creative Freedom: I appreciate the opportunity it provides for creative expression. Crafting visually engaging and dynamic design allows me to bring my ideas to life and convey messages in unique and captivating ways. Continuous Innovation: I enjoy the challenge of staying at the forefront of new tools, techniques, and trends, leading to a constant state of learning and innovation. I love how everyone generously shares new knowledge, advances together, and collectively contributes to making the world a better place through design. Collaboration Opportunities: The collaborative nature of projects fosters a rich and diverse work environment, where different skill sets come together to create compelling visual narratives.

As a Chinese-born artist now based in the United States, I appreciate the distinctiveness of both countries. Living in Los Angeles, widely known as the entertainment capital of the world, I am surrounded by the vibrant energy of Hollywood Blvd. Every day, I drive past movie billboards and posters that serve as constant reminders of the city's allure and its ability to attract and retain a diverse pool of creative talent. This environment fosters a culture of creativity, innovation, and healthy competition, propelling the industry forward. Moreover, China's rich and diverse cultural history serves as a profound inspiration for me. Traditional arts, literature, philosophy, and folklore provide me with a unique cultural identity that I can seamlessly integrate into my work, adding depth and richness to my artistic expression.

Predicting the exact trajectory of the creative industry over the next 5-10 years is complex, but it is clear that ongoing technological advancements, including AI and augmented reality, will have a substantial impact on the creative process. These innovations are expected to become increasingly integral, helping creatives with various tasks and leading to more streamlined workflows through automation and AI tools.

Stay passionate and true to your original aspirations.

I usually watch tutorials on Momentor.tv, coloso, and motiondesignschool.

My childhood dream was to become an artist, and that dream came true.

My parents, their work ethic inspire me to never give up on my dream. Garson Yu, creative director at yU+co, and all my colleagues helped me become a better artist.

I dare not say that I have succeeded, but recently I came across a sentence while reading "The Almanack of Naval Ravikant"; this is for myself and the readers: "If you are evenly split on a difficult decision, take the path more painful in the short term.