Meet Zhang Xun | 2D Animator and Rigger

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

Hi Zhang, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Growing up in Singapore, my parents put a lot of emphasis on my academic achievements. I mainly excelled at subjects such as sciences and mathematics, however, I did take visual art for my contrasting humanities subject. I also drew a lot of fanart of shows that I liked, no matter how busy I was with school and homework, I will find myself staying up late to draw (mostly fanart). Posting my art in online communities and sharing my fan-ideas of character interactions made me realise the power that art has and how much happiness it can bring people. Even though my parents very much wanted me to pursue a career in medicine, deep down inside I knew I wanted to go to art school to better my skills at drawing and painting. Eventually, I applied for Sheridan College in Canada and pursued a career in animation!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think my greatest achievement was leaving Singapore and coming to work in animation in Canada. It was a huge risk for me, leaving my family behind and starting anew in a foreign country almost all the way across the globe. I worked hard while I was in school, refining my skills so I can thrive in the animation industry itself after graduation.

Not only did I focus on honing my own animation skills, I also tried to give back by teaching what I know to juniors in batches below me while I was in school. Eventually, I found out I had a knack for teaching and taught on the side while I was working as a 2D animator. Seeing students light up when they understand a concept they were struggling with or learn about a new way to animate more efficiently really warms my heart and I would love to go into teaching animation in a college one day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am a huge foodie and one of my favourite weekend activities is just going around the city and trying out new restaurants! If I have to list out a few of my favourite spots in Toronto, I definitely have to start with PG Clucks, my favourite fried chicken spot. I love getting their chicken pieces and having it with rice, as weird as that may sound. Their ranch sauce is to die for, and I don’t usually even like ranch sauce! Another restaurant I would really recommend is Honest Weight in the Junction, it’s a small seafood shop and restaurant, and the oysters there are so fresh. Lastly, I would recommend Ethiopian House near Wellesley Station, I bring people there all the time and I always get the vegetarian platter, it’s so good!

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 definitely have to give a shoutout to my parents who wanted nothing but the best for me and even though they were sceptical of my career choice at the start, they decided to trust me and support me nonetheless. I also want to thank them for instilling in me the good values and habits that helped shape who I am today.

I also want to say a big thank you to my friends, both in Singapore and here in Toronto, Canada. I always say that I’ve been so lucky to have grown up with the most amazing friends who have been there for me through thick and thin, accepting me and my flaws and helping me grow to be a better version of myself. My friends in Singapore modelled healthy friendships for me and really set the bar of friendship so high; my friends in Canada taught me how to let go of my fears and embrace the life I am living to the fullest.

Website: https://zhangxun.portfoliobox.net/

Instagram: @zhangarronxun

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhang-xun/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zhangarronxun

Image Credits
Personal Photo; Aroona Khiani