Meet Hyunjee Clara Ryu | Illustrator & Film Production Designer

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

Hi Hyunjee Clara, career-wise, where do you want to be in the end?
I am aware that the human mind is a fickle thing and what I think now may change, but I think as long as I illustrate — that is, draw and paint, I would be happy. Before coming to film school, I always thought I wanted to be a production designer, who is the head of the art department in the film and entertainment industry. Recently, however, when I worked as a concept artist at Walt Disney Imagineering, I had a chance to get my concept art critiqued by professional art directors and a creative executive. The art director confirmed my worst fears in a career — that once you become a higher up, there is virtually no time to sit down to draw and paint. I don’t think I want that, because I feel a sense of tranquility and a married sense of happiness when I paint and draw. I’m still exploring my niche as an illustrator and concept artist, but as of now my end goal is to become a concept artist for the Art Directors Guild in the film industry.

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.
I have a degree in Critical Studies from USC School of Cinematic Arts and Production Design at UCLA TFT School of Theater, Film, and Television. That said, I have a pretty successful academic record in terms of the film industry, but I have never been to an arts school. I also have never received formal training in the arts.

My journey to become an illustrator, or an artist at large, began with my attempt to conquer watercolor in 2017. Looking back, I obviously did not have the best control over water, nor did I understand the level of absorption of water that a paper was capable of. But the three month training in watercolor became the foundation to what I am now. Since then I just never stopped painting.

It wasn’t easy at all. I was frustrated that I can’t execute the great concepts that I had in my head. Up to today, to a degree, I feel like a hand is sewn into my arm. I feel like I’m not there yet. But I kept painting, and got to a level where everyone had more compliments about my work than a “meh” attitude.

As a primarily-self taught artist who’s only been painting for six years, I wanted to emphasize that it’s never too late to start art. It’s definitely possible to get to where you want to be as long as you don’t give up.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I wish the Know Where Bar in Hollywood still existed — I would definitely take my friend there. But I honestly think I would take them to LACMA to day drink at the mini bar outdoors, go to a good place that Google Maps suggests, take them to Griffith to see the sunset, and lastly take them to Mulholland Drive Scenic Overlook to watch the cityscape at night. I’m crazy about views in general, so that would be what I would show.

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?
I have so many to appreciate my gratitude for! First of all, I want to thank The Red Shoes (1948), my favorite film of all time. It is not a film that features the most complex female-driven narrative ever, but it discusses what it is it like to balance love and art in the most visual manner possible, using colour and ballet. I thank that film for always being an inspiration. I still watch it time to time on the Criterion Channel.

I also want to appreciate my professors at UCLA TFT for giving me a chance to study at the United States for a second time. My family definitely did not have the funds to help me get a master’s degree, let alone further study and pursue my passion in the field of production design. Myung Hee Cho helped me all throughout the way so I can continue my studies, and I wanted to give a special shoutout to Nathan Schroeder for giving me all the valuable advice for being a concept artist so I am the person today.

Lastly, I cannot be here without the support of my parents and my little sister. My parents were initially very reluctant and skeptical about my decision to go to film school. Now they wish for my happiness. I am blessed to have my mom constantly pray for me to become the person that I want to be, and I endlessly thank my dad for sending me to my dream film school back in college just so I can get my feet into the film industry.

Overall, I have a lot of people and elements in my life that I want to dedicate a shoutout to. This could go on and on but I’ll stop here for now.

Website: www.clararyu.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/destined

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/rhjee

Image Credits
First image copyright of Disney, https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2023/08/new-haunted-mansion-grounds-expansion-retail-shop-coming-to-disneyland-resort-in-2024/