Meet Jiani Hong | Motion Designer

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

Hi Jiani, what are you inspired by?
On my artistic journey, I’ve discovered a deep connection to the world of film. The allure of storytelling, the art of narration, and the visual interplay of light and shadow in moving images hold a unique and powerful attraction for me. My love for film goes beyond mere fascination; it’s a genuine commitment. I am equally obsessed with the process of creating it, as I am by experiencing it. I work hard at crafting my own narratives that aim to stir emotions through my writing and seize fleeting moments with my camera lens. The world of cinema has shaped my creative perspective, and deeply influences my path in motion design.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is deeply rooted in storytelling, emotion, and a desire to connect with others on a human level. My work bridges graphic and motion design, and I love creating cinematic narrative sequences that incorporate graphic insights, whether through typography, composition, or camera language. I’ve been working on brand montage animations, main title sequences and style frame explorations.

My journey started at ArtCenter College of Design, and I wouldn’t say it was easy. Becoming a motion designer requires mastering both technology and technique. When I started learning 3D, everything felt overwhelming, and it isn’t just about 3D animation but also requires skills in art direction, 2D animation, modeling, rendering, post-production, editing, designing, etc. Most importantly, it required having a strong artistic vision to guide the art direction and tell a compelling story both visually and conceptually.

Through focused learning and the dedicated guidance of my professors, I gradually found my direction. I discovered my passion for storytelling and produced some work I am proud of, such as the Amoeba Music Rebrand, which received recognition from organizations like Young Ones TDC, Core77 Design, Graphis New Talent, and Communication Arts. Another project, the Dead Poets Society Main Title Design, executed in 3D animation, also received an award from Communication Arts.

After graduating, I had the opportunity to work on real-world projects, joined the Petrol Advertising team, a renowned agency specializing in game trailers. As a motion graphics lead, I collaborated with creative directors, art directors, game capture artists, and 3D artists on various projects for major clients like Activision, Netflix, and Bandai Namco. This experience allowed me to work closely with the gaming industry, diving into game production through engines like Unreal and Unity, entering the game environments as “God’s-eye view”, exploring and capturing camera angles that regular players might never see. This experience broadened my perspective—utilizing and exploring tools like Unreal Engine, Cinema 4D, Maya, After Effects, etc. Working not just as a designer but also as a camera operator, gamer, and 3D modeler, allowing me see more possibilities in myself.

With the skills and insights I’ve gained, I’m excited to continue my creative journey, driven by a passion for storytelling and crafting meaningful work. Each step has taught me to embrace challenges, push boundaries, never stop learning, and stay connected with the industry. It’s essential to challenge ourselves and try things we once thought were impossible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting LA, I’d start by taking them to Griffith Park for a hike up to the Observatory, where they could enjoy stunning city views. We’d then visit The Getty Center, a perfect blend of art, architecture, and breathtaking scenery. For a dose of culture, we’d spend a day exploring the LACMA and The Broad Museum, immersing ourselves in their incredible art collections. These iconic spots capture the essence of LA’s creativity and beauty.

Website: https://www.jianihong.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jiani1006/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiani-hong-664567205/

Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user186368823

Image Credits
Jiani Hong