Meet Susan Huang | Visual development artist & Background painter

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

Hi Susan, what’s the end goal, career-wise?
I would like to create an animated film about Taiwan, my home country. Taiwan boasts stunning natural beauty and is rich in history and culture. Its diverse cultural and historical background offers an excellent platform for various types of stories. Perhaps I can produce a historical epic film, as Taiwan has been influenced by multiple cultures and civilizations, including Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, and indigenous tribes. Alternatively, a family drama animation may also showcase Taiwanese culture, using sweet memories from people’s childhood or daily lives.

There are many stories I would like to tell through animation, ranging from horror and romance to documentaries. However, the story that I am most passionate about sharing with the world is the Taiwan Democracy Movement. This complex political situation resulted in the sacrifice of many innocent lives. Unfortunately, as with all traumas, people tend to forget after many years, except for the victims and their families. I aim to revive these memories through animated films, reminding people that these individuals who sacrificed their lives were sons, daughters, fathers, and mothers. They were more than just names in a textbook; they were real people etched in our memories. We may be able to forgive, but never forget.

I understand that this is a heavy topic, and my knowledge alone may not suffice to produce a quality project. I hope to collaborate with someone who shares my interest in Taiwan and we create an animated film about Taiwan’s democratic history in the future.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe that our life experiences make us unique. They can be the reasons that set people apart from each other. For instance, I was born in an Asian country and watched Ghibli films when I was a kid. I worked as a graphic designer before studying animation, all of these experiences have shaped my art style and make me different from the others.

As a freelancer, I am always excited about learning different art styles from various projects. Each project has its own art style, and every time I work with a new team, I learn many painting techniques and improve my skills.

My first internship at TAIKO Studios helped me build my art style and most of my painting knowledge. I started to enjoy painting bright colors and graphic shapes. I then learned more about realistic painting from my next project which was a game project. After that, I got the opportunity to work on several concept design assignments. All of these working experiences have brought my art skills to the next level, and that’s why I always look forward to the next project and the new teams.

However, being a freelancer is challenging because it’s tough to balance work and life. Since my working space is set up in my room, it’s hard to separate working hours from free time. I always feel like the drawing is not good enough, and I want to spend more time on the painting.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would love to take my friend to Taiwan, spending three days in Tainan and four days in Kaohsiung. I have chosen these two cities because I feel they represent traditional versus modern-day Taiwan very well. Tainan City is one of the oldest and culturally significant cities in Taiwan, having served as the capital during two dynasties. The city boasts a rich history and is filled with traditional temples, forts, and houses.
Kaohsiung City, on the other hand, is an important economic and industrial hub, with the Kaohsiung Port being one of the largest in Asia and a crucial gateway for international trade. The city has also transformed into a more sustainable and livable city, with green spaces, parks, and numerous galleries, exhibitions, and outdoor art installations.
Of course, no trip to Taiwan would be complete without a visit to the night markets, which offer the best street food such as stinky tofu and bubble tea. Taiwanese cuisine is a unique and delicious blend of flavors that I am sure my friend will enjoy.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to Bobby Pontillas and Andrew Chesworth. They were my mentors when I was an art intern at TAIKO Studios, and it was an incredible experience working with them and their team. I not only learned about painting and film, but also about the process of creating a compelling story. Their feedback and encouragement helped me greatly in both my career and personal life.

I would also like to thank Rise Up Animation, an organization created to support and help diverse talent interested in the animation industry. They provide free feedback sessions to aspiring animators and creatives.

After graduating from school, it was a challenging time for me to enter the industry due to the pandemic and being an international student. I needed to secure a job within three months to maintain my visa status. I recall the dark days of rejection and job hunting, but I was fortunate to sign up for a feedback session at Rise Up Animation. My mentor not only provided feedback on my portfolio and art, but also gave me valuable advice on mental health and maintaining a positive outlook. Rise Up Animation has been like a lighthouse in my career life, and I know I can always turn to them when I need someone to talk to.

I have been fortunate to receive help and support from many people in my life, including my parents, friends, teachers, supervisors, and colleagues. It’s hard to express my gratitude for each of them individually, but I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of them for their unwavering support and encouragement

Website: https://www.susan-huang.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan.ssh/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ssh/