Meet Jia-En Ho | 2D Animator & Character Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jia- En Ho and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jia-En, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve always wanted to have a positive impact on people and create something they can connect and resonate with. I feel compelled to create, not just to push my own skills, but also to make something that people can enjoy. Seeing the way people react to my films is incredibly fulfilling and motivates me to create more. Throughout my senior year of college, I got a lot of support for my thesis film Sheep Shapes, and it touched me that so many people were excited to see it come to life. After it premiered, I was pleasantly surprised by its positive reception from friends but also people I didn’t know at all. The fact that I can bring so many people together over something I’ve produced, for which they can all relate with in different ways, is an amazing phenomenon.

Coming from a background where creative careers are not very popular also shaped my decision. As a Malaysian, I grew up in an environment where children were encouraged to become lawyers, doctors, and accountants. During high school, many of my friends pursued subjects like business and economics, while my art class consisted of only three students, including me. It was clear that very few people had an interest in the arts as a career choice, and it made me realize how unorthodox my path was. It also opened my eyes to how important it was to have more Southeast Asian representation in creative careers, to show younger generations that it is possible and worth doing, despite what people think. I recently received a postcard from a younger friend who told me that if it wasn’t for me, she wouldn’t have been as confident to switch to studying animation in college. Reading that touched me deeply, and has made me even more steadfast in my career choice.

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.
Over the years, I’ve noticed a common theme in my art – I like to experiment with bold shapes and colors. I’m always looking for ways to put new perspectives on familiar things, and my sketchbook is filled with crazy shape doodles. This theme was very much inspired by Cartoon Saloon movies, as I admire how their art style is consistently flat yet works well aesthetically. I decided to bring it to the forefront of my thesis film, Sheep Shapes, where I played with shapes to emphasize the contrast between the two main characters and make the environment look fun. I find it an enjoyable challenge to see how far I can push shapes and colors, to keep a subject recognizable yet visually fresh.

When it comes to my artistic journey, I always knew I wanted to pursue animation, but I had some doubts along the way. There was a period of my life where I stopped drawing regularly and I felt less motivated to make art for myself. Ironically, it was when I started taking art classes in high school, and while I found the exam format beneficial for my work pipeline, I also found it demanding and stifling. I began to wonder if I actually enjoyed making art and whether studying animation in college was the right choice. But after my first week of college, I remember feeling a sense of satisfaction at finally learning the things I had always wanted to learn. It felt very fulfilling to hone my skills in the right direction and start exploring the realm of animation. As a recent graduate, I’ve just started my career and am currently doing a few freelance projects, and I’m excited to see what else happens. I’m very grateful I continued on this path and that I didn’t let my doubts stop me.

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.
I’m currently based in New York City, and after being here for a few years, I feel like I’ve come to know the place quite well. Central Park is a must-see spot. As a frequent birdwatcher, I know the ins and outs of the whole place – the touristy spots, the more local spots, and everything in between. I have a set route through the park that I’ve brought friends on before, and I change it up depending on if they want to see the park’s landmarks or go birdwatching. I’m also a big fan of museums, so the MET or the American Museum of Natural History would also be major points of interest on my list. It’s always fun to go there with friends and talk about the art on display. When it comes to food, Chinatown is my top pick for cheap and consistently good food. I’d take them to a good Hong Kong café and to Miss Du’s Tea Shop for some boba. As for hidden gems, I feel like Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is an amazing natural spot that’s fairly accessible within the city. You can get great views of the ocean as well as the Manhattan skyline in the distance, all while enjoying an incredible variety of birds and other wildlife.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to shoutout my parents most of all for allowing me to pursue animation in college and follow my dreams, something that I’m aware not many people from my background get the opportunity to do. It means a lot to me that they are willing to support me and celebrate my achievements. The same goes to my friends from high school who have continued to stick with me – it’s been inspiring seeing where life has taken all of them, and the encouragement they’ve given me in my own journey is invaluable. I’m also very grateful to all the people I’ve met here in New York City during my time in college, from friends to professors to random people I’ve met out on the street. They’ve helped me grow out of my shell, find my sense of self, and become a better artist with a stronger voice. Lastly, as an avid birdwatcher, it would be amiss for me to not mention birds and the incredible impact they’ve had on my life. Birds have carried me through my toughest times; just being near them makes my worries fade away. They’re like old friends who I know I can rely on and I never tire of seeing.

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