Meet Eunseo Ryu | Motion Designer & Illustrator

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

Hi Eunseo, what role has risk played in your life or career?
To me, taking risks is an opportunity for growth. Every risk I’ve taken in my life has taught me at least one lesson, whether I wanted it or not. To my younger self, risks seemed nothing but nerve-racking—until I immigrated to the United States at 11 with my family. Being in a whole new country and speaking a completely different language felt like an absolute nightmare. Nevertheless, that “nightmare” taught me to finesse my skills, set bars higher for myself, and, eventually, grow.

By then, perfectionism had become one of my core traits, but I wasn’t aware that it would hinder my artistic career path. Being an artist and experiencing failures were inseparable. Whenever I would try to start a new project, the fear of failure kept coming back to haunt me. I felt scared, discouraged, and ashamed. However, after my first success in a while, I learned that no success comes without trial and error.

Then, I started taking risks of failing. While perfectionism is still a part of me, I’ve come to understand that the process itself doesn’t always have to be perfect. In fact, there is no such thing as a perfect process. Failures are simply part of the journey, not the end. They teach me how to advance to the next stage. Because I value that lesson, I yet continue to take those risks.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Colors let emotions flourish, and motion breathes life into every element. As an artist, I’ve learned to harness these principles to make my work stand out in this vast marketplace filled with creatives. I seek out diverse stories for new insights to reflect on, continually feeding myself new art and resources, because good output stems from good input. Most importantly, though, I consistently ask myself, “What is the world I want to express in my art?”

As a kid, my world always revolved around a small, personal utopia full of happiness—beautiful nature, puppy-shaped clouds, clovers, and anything cute. I wanted others to see what I saw because that’s what I loved; I wanted to show my “love” to everyone.

However, as I grew older, I realized I couldn’t stay in that cutesy dreamland forever. I needed to understand the broader world to grasp what love and care meant to others. Love can be cute and bright but also upsetting and melancholic—mirroring the complexities of life.

Today, as an illustrator and motion designer, I aspire to tell stories of life and highlight its precious, often overlooked moments. I hope my work inspires viewers to cherish these emotions and values in their own lives.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As someone who loves warm, sunny weather, Southern California is a fascinating place to live. The region offers beautiful weather, diverse shopping venues, attractions, and amazing food. First, I would take them to Dashiwa Ramen in Arcadia. Their Original Mazesoba is the best mazesoba I’ve ever had!
Next, we would head to Little Tokyo. The Japanese Village Plaza is filled with charming stores, but my favorite spot is Midori Matcha Cafe. The Matcha and Hojicha Swirl soft serve is a must-try!
Beyond restaurants and dessert spots, another favorite destination is the Americana at Brand in Glendale. Exploring a wide range of stores like Nordstrom and Barnes & Noble never gets old. I would never skip watching the mesmerizing shows at the Dancing Fountain in the center of the complex.
Lastly, my absolute favorite is the cafes in Koreatown. I often go there to work, as I tend to be more productive and focused in a different environment surrounded by people. One of my top picks is About Time on Wilshire Boulevard. I could enjoy their Earl Grey gateau cake and strawberry basil ade every day!
Of all these places, though, I would take them on a walk around Pasadena. Pasadena is a wonderful city with a beautiful atmosphere. Nothing makes me happier than stopping to smell the roses in one of my favorite places with my best friend.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family. My parents have shown endless love and support for me ever since I began pursuing art, backing every decision I’ve made. In times of struggle, they never failed to offer precious advice and words of encouragement. They taught me the true meaning of love—a love that I strive to show the world through my art. My brother, though a bit mischievous, has always kept me strong and provided countless pieces of life advice. Without their support, I wouldn’t have been where I am today, both as a person and as an artist.

I would also like to thank the ArtCenter College of Design community. All the students, instructors, and staff members continually inspire me with their work. Regardless of their specialty, being surrounded by such incredible creatives to learn from keeps me motivated and helps me set clear goals to achieve as another creative.

The moral support from my fellow artists has also been crucial during my journey at ArtCenter. They’ve given me the strength to endure all the hardships and failures, allowing me to become a better version of myself. I aspire to keep learning from them and give this support back to my beloved community.

Website: https://www.eunseoryu.com/

Instagram: @eryu_art

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eunseo-ryu