Meet Po-En Wang | 3D Artist / Motion Designer

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

Hi Po-En, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Emotions and feelings are something I have long been fascinated about but struggled to convey when interacting with people. Although wearing emotions on my sleeve is not a norm in my culture, a professor helped me break through this barrier. That is when I felt the power of visual storytelling for the first time. I learned that a tool combined with effective storytelling could express a person’s emotions. I then was at the point of no return……

During my junior year in college, I was fortunate to meet Professor Hsun-Chun Chuang, who taught me 3D Animation class. Through his class, I learned that humor is a healthy way to connect and arouse audiences. An assignment I did, entitled “True Color”, describes a soul-searching experience of a “reverse centaur” who struggles to understand who he is – a horse or a human. In fact, “who I am” is something I have long been searching for, and this question inspired this short film. In the end, the story unveils he is none of them but a bird. The surprising ending certainly earned a lot of laughter, but in the meantime, it also provoked a sense of belonging where one sees his value in life. From this assignment, I gained an understanding that a story can be told in many ways, and animation presented in a comic way could ensure effective and non-stop emotional connections with the audience.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a 3D Artist and Motion Designer. I love making characters come to life. My proudest work is my personal short film, “Hawaiian Pizza’s Revenge.” I produce every aspect of it except music. I think my whimsical and comedic style makes me different from others.

I like to design characters that look a bit dumb and funny. After designing and finishing the 3D models, I HAVE TO make them move, because who wouldn’t want to see funny things actually come to life?

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.
1. Hollywood Sign Hollywood Sign is a famous landmark and one of the must-see attractions when traveling in LA. I’ll grab a taxi and take my friend there.

2. Sunset Boulevard
The 35-kilometer-long Sunset Strip extends from downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Coast Highway. It passes through Hollywood, UCLA, Beverly Hills Villas, and other places along the way. It is lined with palm trees and movie advertisements. Definitely great for a car ride.

3. Griffith Observatory
The sunset scenery here is so beautiful. The sky slowly changes from blue to romantic pink and purple, and you can also take in the panoramic view of Los Angeles. This is the filming location for “Loving You More and More” and “The City of Love.”

4. Universal Studio
Needless to say, it is popular. There are themed park areas such as Jurassic, Transformers, Harry Potter, Mario, etc., which integrate roller coasters and other entertainment projects. Both adults and children can enjoy a very fun happy moment.

5. Santa Monica Beach Santa Monica Beach
At the seaside amusement park, you can enjoy the sunset, ride the Ferris wheel and roller coaster, and enjoy the California sunset from a different angle. Those who like excitement can also play jumping machines and pirate ships.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank my parents for supporting me to pursue my dream.

At first, My parents didn’t want me to become an artist; they wanted me to become an engineer, so I had to go behind their backs to do art. When they discovered I changed my major from architecture to animation, I had already been making art for half a year. We had such a huge fight. Ultimately, I didn’t change my path; they were mad at me for a while.

I continued to study animation and finished my thesis. When my parents finally saw my thesis work, they were convinced. They agreed that I have potential and supported me ever since. Without these arguments and struggles, I wouldn’t be able to be here.

Website: www.thebrandonwang.com

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

Image Credits
Po-En Wang