We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jin Qin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jin, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I keep my creativity alive by staying connected to nature and constantly seeking new experiences. For me, creativity isn’t something that happens in isolation—it’s sparked by the world around me, especially during my outdoor adventures. I find that stepping away from the studio and into nature gives me a fresh perspective. Whether it’s the sound of wind rustling through the trees or the rhythm of my footsteps on a trail, nature has a way of inspiring new ideas.
I also make time for personal exploration, experimenting with different sounds and ideas that may not have an immediate purpose. By allowing myself to play without pressure, I often stumble upon concepts that become central to my projects. I believe creativity thrives in an environment where there’s space to take risks and explore without limits.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I began my career as an audio designer in the video game industry, where I had the incredible opportunity to work on both indie and AAA titles. I served as the audio director at Zenjoy, where I developed the audio experience for popular mobile games like Cooking Madness and Word Connect. My time at PlayStation allowed me to take on larger, more complex projects, where I contributed to the audio systems for major titles like Spider-Man 2 and Death Stranding 2.
I’m proud to say my work has been recognized with several prestigious awards. As an award-winning musician, my contributions to game and film audio have earned honors from BAFTA, The Game Awards (TGA), the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers (NAVGTR), the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) DICE Awards, the Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA), the Game Audio Network Guild (GANG), and the Golden Joystick Awards.
In addition to my work in the gaming industry, I’ve recently begun exploring new creative outlets through my YouTube channel. I’m combining my passion for outdoor adventure and sound design by capturing natural sounds during my hikes and travels, and transforming them into music. This new project allows me to share my love for nature and creativity in a unique way, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, there are three key qualities and skills that I believe were most impactful in shaping my journey:
Curiosity and Willingness to Experiment
Early on, I learned that curiosity and a desire to experiment are essential in any creative field. Whether it was discovering new sound design techniques or learning the latest audio software, I always remained curious and eager to push boundaries. My advice for those starting out is to never stop exploring new ideas, even if they don’t seem immediately relevant. Take time to experiment with different approaches, tools, and concepts—it’s in those moments that you often discover something truly unique.
Collaboration and Communication
Working in game and film audio, I realized that strong communication and collaboration skills are just as important as technical expertise. In these industries, you’re constantly working with directors, game designers, musicians, and engineers, and knowing how to express your ideas clearly while also understanding others’ visions is crucial. For those early in their careers, my advice is to practice being a great listener and a clear communicator. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and offer solutions, and always be open to feedback—it will make you a stronger collaborator and help you grow faster.
Resilience and Adaptability
The creative industries can be tough, and not every project goes as planned. I’ve faced setbacks and tight deadlines, but being resilient and adaptable has been key to navigating challenges and growing from them. For anyone starting out, it’s important to embrace the ups and downs of the journey. Learn to adapt when things don’t go according to plan, and see challenges as opportunities to develop new skills. Keep refining your craft, even in tough moments, and don’t lose sight of your goals.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Absolutely. One of the biggest challenges I’m facing right now is staying focused in a world full of distractions. With so many tools, platforms, and ways to generate creative ideas, it’s easy to get pulled in different directions. As someone who thrives on creativity, I find it both exciting and overwhelming at times. The sheer amount of inspiration available can actually make it harder to stay consistent with one project or idea.
The challenge is learning how to filter out the noise and focus on doing one thing well before moving on to the next. I’ve realized that while it’s important to explore new ideas, it’s equally important to have the discipline to finish what I’ve started. Right now, I’m working on building a routine that helps me stay consistent while still allowing space for creativity to flow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/ChanJInMusic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chanjinmusic/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jin-qin/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chanjinmusic
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