Meet Nandar Thu

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nandar Thu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nandar below.

Nandar, thank you so much for making time for us today. We’re excited to discuss a handful of topics with you, but perhaps the most important one is around decision making. The ability to make decisions is a key requirement for anyone who wants to make a difference and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your decision-making skills.

Moving 8,249 miles away from my home country was both exciting and nerve-wracking. New home, new people, new city — everything was unfamiliar. Since arriving, I’ve had to make quick decisions with limited time, each carrying a significant impact on my career and my ability to stay abroad. From navigating visa options to understanding the types of jobs I could apply for within my field, every step required me to think critically and adapt. These big shifts taught me to evaluate decisions holistically, balancing both logical considerations and emotional impacts. I had to commit to my choices, take risks, and trust in the growth that comes from stepping out of my comfort zone.

There were moments when I questioned whether I made the right decisions, but I’ve learned that every choice comes with its share of good and bad moments. What matters is cherishing the good, learning from the bad, and continuing to move forward. These experiences taught me to stay calm under pressure, prioritize what truly matters. It has also helped me to not look back on what kind of decisions I made and instead focus on the decisions I have to make in the present or future to pivot how I want to shape my path.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

My name is Nandar Moe Myint Thu, someone who thrives on challenges and values the lessons learned from pushing boundaries and working with others. When I was younger, getting into sports helped me through a tough time. I discovered that I’m not terrible at sports. So I tried out basketball, volleyball, badminton, softball, and swimming, which eventually secured my spot on the basketball, volleyball and softball varsity teams. It wasn’t just about playing; it gave me something to work towards and taught me how to stay determined, bounce back from setbacks, and push myself beyond what I thought I could do. Most of the time I was the shortest on my team but It was never a disadvantage. I viewed it as an opportunity to think creatively and find unique ways to contribute to the team. My team became my family; we went through tough training, dipping in iced baths, sneaking in snacks that our coaches told us not to eat (I hope they don’t see this) and emotional rides through wins and losses in tournaments. After countless injuries and hard-fought losses, I ended my athletic career on a high note—an undefeated season and receiving MVP awards in both basketball and volleyball during oversea tournaments.

Around the same time, I also fell in love with music, specifically learning the flute. My curiosity pushed me to see how far I could go so I dedicated my time for a better part of a decade to learning the instrument. A couple years in, I landed a role as second chair in the Myanmar National Orchestra. It was a very unique experience from the start. Our conductor flew in from Japan with a few of his own people that taught us more about playing the instruments and reading notes. We worked around the language barrier and talked solely through music and gestures. I remember the conductor falling off his high stool at some point trying to correct the violin section; it was the highlight of rehearsal. I traveled with the orchestra, performing in different cities. At one of the concerts, we played traditional burmese music and the whole audience started clapping and dancing to the beat. It was a surreal experience seeing the excitement we caused in so many people. I didn’t even know the audience was allowed to do that in an orchestra concert!

I’ve always loved letting my imagination run wild, which initially drew me to the world of architecture where I could bring imaginative designs to life. The idea of designing and shaping spaces was exhilarating, but as I delved deeper, I found it restrictive—bound by rules, materials, physics, real-world limitations. While architecture taught me invaluable skills in design, I felt like I was missing the storytelling aspect. This realization pivoted me toward environment design and real-time 3D art, where I can really turn my imaginations into fruition. Whether it’s crafting immersive game levels, cinematic landscapes, or dynamic visual experiences, I’ve discovered a medium that allows me to design my own rules and worlds. It’s the perfect blend of my technical foundation in architectural model building and my passion for storytelling. Along the journey, I’ve been fortunate to meet many talented individuals who share the same passion for world-building and storytelling. Collaborating with them has not only enriched my perspective but also taught me the value of collective creativity. I’ve come to learn that creating these immersive spaces is as much about teamwork as it is about vision. I’ve been working on some amazing projects with a group of people lately and am excited to share the work with all of you once it is published.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three strongest steps that have helped me go through all the big decisions are: plan, commit, and execute. Taking the time to organize my thoughts and break down challenges into manageable steps made things less overwhelming. As an over-thinker who often imagines the worst-case scenario, staying disciplined about the decision and making process has brought me a sense of calm and focus, even in uncertain moments. Especially in moments beyond my control, I’ve learned to accept that worrying won’t change the outcome — and that is okay.

For those who are just starting out, my advice would be to give yourself permission to not have everything figured out right away. It’s completely normal to feel uncertain about what you want to do or where you’re headed — after all, we are all doing life for the first time. Even making a small decision in your everyday life, like starting an assignment or making incremental progress on a project. Every little effort adds up and brings you closer to your goals. Progress isn’t about knowing how to do everything or what to do; it’s about consistently showing up for yourself and trusting the process along the way.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always excited to connect with others for collaboration! Whether it’s partnering on creative projects, supporting artists, or working with clients who need innovative digital solutions, I’m eager to bring my skills and passion to the table. If you’re looking for someone to help bring your ideas to life or collaborate on imaginative endeavors, please feel free to reach out—I’d love to explore how we can create something amazing together. I’m responsive through Instagram, LinkedIn and emails. I’m excited to get to know you guys more and learn about new things along the way!

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