Meet Lok Cheang | 3D Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lok Cheang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lok, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Hello everyone! I am originally from Macau, China, where I fell in love with art, animations, and movies as a kid. Upon arriving in the United States as an international student, I dedicated two years to studying Graphic Design at De Anza College in California. This experience laid the groundwork for my exploration of visual arts and provided me with a solid foundation. However, it was not until I transferred to the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York to pursue 3D Animation that I truly found my passion.

Along the way, I drew inspiration from a lot of artists that I discovered on platforms like ArtStation and Instagram. Their creativity pushed me to explore new techniques and styles. Another big source of inspiration for me was the visuals I have experienced at concerts and music festivals. Music has always been a huge part of my life, and seeing how artists merged sound and visuals in such captivating ways has fueled my creativity even more.

A pivotal moment in my journey was a summer internship at Laika Studio in 2022, where I served as a CG Effects Intern. This opportunity exposed me to industry practices and provided invaluable hands-on experience. Returning to school for my senior year, I collaborated with peers to create our thesis short film, “Dulce,” a project that won several awards and was selected by numerous film festivals.

From my early days in Macau to now being a 3D Artist, my journey has been marked by growth, learning, and creative exploration. I’m super excited to keep exploring and see where my creativity takes me next!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When it comes to my art, what sets me apart is my attention to detail and the use of vibrant colors, which I learned from my graphic design background.

One of my proudest achievements is my thesis short film, “Dulce,” in a team of three with Aleyda Ortiz and Kevin Class. It was a labor of love that allowed us to showcase our creativity and storytelling abilities. Bringing that project to life was a rewarding experience, and seeing it resonate with audiences filled me with pride.

However, getting to where I am today professionally has been anything but easy. Learning new software and technical skills like coding was tough. Along the way, I have come to realize the importance of seeking advice and feedback from my peers and teachers. It was through collaboration and constructive criticism that helped me grow a lot as an artist.

I want people to know that I am an artist who loves to create and inspire others. With hard work, dedication, and building genuine connections and friendship along the way, one can turn dreams into reality.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting, I would definitely take them to Yosemite National Park. I have been there once before, and I always wanted to visit it again with my friends. It is a perfect place to escape from the hustle of our busy everyday life and immerse ourselves in the beauty of nature.

In Yosemite, we could hike through different trails, and maybe even have a picnic by the lake. It is a great place to create lasting memories and simply enjoy each other’s company.

Aside from Yosemite, If it is in winter, we could also head to Lake Tahoe for some snowboarding with beautiful mountain views. And of course, we would try out some local restaurants. From cute cafes to fancy places, there are lots of good food to enjoy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am incredibly thankful for the support I have received from many people along my journey. If I had to pick one person to shout out, it would be my older sister. She was also an international student when I was in California, and she was always there for me.

Starting out in California was tough. I found myself in a new environment, far from home, and it was challenging to adapt. As English is not my first language, I often struggled to express myself and fully engage in conversations.

But through it all, my sister was a constant source of support and understanding. Whenever I felt lost or discouraged, she was there to lift me up and remind me of my strengths. Her support gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward, even when things felt overwhelming.

I also want to give a shoutout to all my mentors and friends who helped me along the way. Their guidance has been crucial in helping me grow as an artist.

Website: https://lokcheang.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lok_n_roll/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lokcheang/

Image Credits
Aleyda Ortiz – Director, Writer, Character design, CFX, and LookDev Artist for “Dulce” Kevin Class – Producer, Animator, Rigger, sound designer, and Editor for “Dulce”