Meet Snow Dietrich | Background / Visual Development Artist

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

Hi Snow, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up in China from the 1990s onward, I have fond memories of watching imported animated series on my family’s old-fashioned, bulky television. From Tom and Jerry, the Flintstones, DuckTales, and Mickey Mouse, to Pokemon, Sailor Moon, and other animation series, I have been obsessed with a variety of animation styles and storytelling for as long as I can remember. After watching Hayao Miyazaki’s films during my college years, I realized my particular passion for background painting. I couldn’t take my eyes off the background artwork consistently produced by the Studio Ghibli team, and I was amazed by how much the background aesthetics could contribute to and truly influence the narrative.

My enthusiasm for animation and list of favorites keeps refreshing as I grow older, and I think there is no age limit to appreciate great storytelling of any medium. Also, as a parent to a young child, I found myself having so much fun watching shows with her and often seeing them through her eyes; it’s really magical to see the artwork that takes so much creative talent and hard work translate to entertainment and inspiration.

Over the past years, life has pushed and pulled me in different directions, but I have never given up my dream to be part of the animation/game industry. I have a science background and I worked as a Senior Research Programmer before deciding to pursue my passion as a background/environment artist during the pandemic. I’ve utilized many resources (YouTube videos, online classes, artist demonstrations, career-focused academic programs, etc.) to learn every day and put the lessons into practice. I really love the process of creating a world with my hands and imagination, and I am inspired everyday to keep pursuing what I truly enjoy.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally? Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I find the diversity of artwork to be so charming, in a similar way that I really admire the immense diversity of creators. I try to absorb the different styles I see in pieces created by artists that may have completely different styles or skill levels than I do, and use those different perspectives to inform my work. Actually, the fact that there are so many talented artists with varieties of styles also presents a challenge, in that the industry is very competitive. It’s not easy to put yourself out there as a candidate for a new position, sharing a portfolio for which you’ve invested so much time and creative effort, and often failing to get the job. Despite the ups and downs, the competitive nature of the industry makes us all better as artists, and I am constantly learning how to improve my work and offer myself as a stronger candidate for future opportunities. I hope that my past, current, and future collaborators appreciate my eagerness to learn and grow professionally, while also bringing my own style to collaborative projects.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If you have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I moved from Michigan to LA a couple years ago, and as a foodie, I have to say the best thing about LA is the food scene. As someone born in China, I can especially attest to the amazing number of authentic options and also diversity of regional dishes. I would definitely take my best friend on little (or big?) food tour, likely focused in the San Gabriel Valley. Also I am a long-time fan of manga, so I would love to stretch out after the food tour and explore Little Tokyo together, including browsing through the shops, enjoying some matcha ice cream, and staying in the bookstore Kinokuniya for hours. And maybe to finish the day, who doesn’t enjoy a visit to the beach in Santa Monica for a beautiful evening and sunset views?

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 am grateful for many, many people in my life, throughout the years. I have met so many sweet people that have supported me in my pursuits of passion and happiness, including my family, friends, professional mentors, and teachers. The list of individuals would be way too long to list here, but I wanted to give a special shout out to my recent educational experience, provided by Emile Cohl Atelier (the LA branch of the Ecole Emile Cohl art school). I was a self-taught artist before getting a scholarship from ECA to participate in their Environment Artist career accelerator program in 2022. Through the program, I learned from great teachers who helped me to hone my skills, and I made precious friends who share the same passions as me. I also benefited similarly by participating in many talent networks and social groups, such as: WIA (Women in Animation), Rise Up, AIA (Asians in Animation), Warrior Painters, AQIA (Asian Queen in Animation) etc. These have all been amazing experiences that I truly appreciate every day.

Website: https://www.snowdietrich.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xding.art

Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/xue-snow-dietrich-b7670b220