ruchen shang shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
ruchen, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Listening to Meovv’s music and walking alone by the riverside on sunny days has been bringing me a lot of joy lately. It makes me feel like time is unlimited, and fills me with hope for a bright future and so many things to look forward to.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Ruchen Shang — a motion designer, animator, and co-founder of Runect Studio, where we chase the magic hidden in everyday moments. My work blends 2D and 3D with playful, rhythmic motion — creating visuals that don’t just move, but breathe, dance, and resonate.
At Runect, we believe animation is more than design — it’s emotion in motion. Inspired by indie games, symbolic metaphors, and the charm of mixed media, I craft stories that spark curiosity and leave a lasting vibe.
Whether it’s a looping short or a full visual journey, I’m always exploring how motion can turn the ordinary into something quietly extraordinary.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
The person who’s taught me the most about work is Faker, the legendary League of Legends player. I’ve learned so much from his journey—not just about games, but about perseverance, mindset, and passion.
Whenever I feel like giving up, I think about his story — full of highs and lows. Early in his career, he was seen as unstoppable: a young, extraordinary talent. But as the game evolved and versions changed, his dominance started to fade. His team changed ownership, and the new direction didn’t center around him. Eventually, he was benched — unable to return to the stage for a long time.
That period must have been incredibly hard. To have the world doubt you, and even those around you stop believing — it’s heartbreaking. But he didn’t give up. Even on his birthday, he simply kept playing and practicing the game he loves.
In the world of esports, overnight fame is common — but lasting excellence is rare. Staying in peak competitive form year after year takes incredible discipline. And Faker managed to do just that.
His resilience inspires me to pursue my path in the creative industry. Just like in esports, the creative journey has ups and downs. Sometimes you’re doing great, but the right opportunity hasn’t come yet. Still, you have to hang in there, stay ready, and trust that one day — if you keep going — the moment will come when the world sees what you’ve been working for.
When did you last change your mind about something important?
I used to believe that quality was always more important than timing — that if the work was good enough, being late wouldn’t matter. But I changed my mind after a project I worked on missed the deadline by just a little… and because of that, the entire project couldn’t be released.
Before, I’d hear people talk about the importance of deadlines, but I didn’t fully feel it until it happened to me. That experience taught me something I’ll never forget: in the real world — especially in freelance — being on time is everything. Clients often care more about whether something is delivered than if it’s perfect.
I realized that sometimes, I need to step outside my artistic mindset and look at things from the client’s perspective. In the end, delivering something complete and on time is more valuable than holding it back in pursuit of perfection.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
For me, the difference between a fad and a real foundational shift comes down to who adopts it and how deeply it integrates into different levels of the field.
If something is just a fad, usually only a small group — maybe 20% — jump on it, and it often feels unstable or not yet mature compared to the traditional way. But if it’s a foundational shift, you’ll see people across all levels embracing it — from beginners to industry leaders. It’s a top-to-bottom transformation, not just a surface trend. That’s when I know it’s something worth paying attention to.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
For me, the difference between a fad and a real foundational shift comes down to who adopts it and how deeply it integrates into different levels of the field.
If something is just a fad, usually only a small group — maybe 20% — jump on it, and it often feels unstable or not yet mature compared to the traditional way. But if it’s a foundational shift, you’ll see people across all levels embracing it — from beginners to industry leaders. It’s a top-to-bottom transformation, not just a surface trend. That’s when I know it’s something worth paying attention to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ruchenshang.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jijigugu_s/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchen-shang-9b1b44235/
Image Credits
Ruchen Shang
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