We recently connected with Kai Chuan Yang and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kai Chuan, so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?
When I hit a creativity block, I go back to moments when a project forced me to think differently. The TWAC entry-card film was one of them. The script was strict and procedural—almost too rigid to spark anything. At first, I felt stuck.
But instead of pushing for bigger ideas, I focused on small movements: subtle camera shifts, gentle pacing, transitions that breathe. Once I treated the constraint as a rhythm rather than a barrier, the film opened up.
That’s usually how I get unstuck: by listening to what the project is quietly asking for, and letting the details lead me out.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a motion designer currently based in New York, where I work across commercial, branding, and narrative-driven projects. What excites me most about motion design is the ability to turn simple shapes, still graphics, or even abstract ideas into something that feels alive. My background in music and drumming has also shaped the way I animate. I think in rhythm before I think in visuals, and that instinct often guides the pacing, energy and emotion of my work.
Professionally, I’ve collaborated with brands such as College Board, LinkedIn, McDonald’s, and P&G, but I also value projects that involve public communication, like the recent TWAC entry-card film I co-directed. Projects like that remind me how design can genuinely help people understand something important and make their experience smoother.
Overall, I hope my work continues to bring clarity, rhythm, and a bit of playfulness to the stories I help tell.
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?
Three qualities have shaped my journey the most: curiosity, persistence, and a strong sense of responsibility. Curiosity keeps me exploring new tools and ideas. Persistence helps me push through moments when things do not work the way I expect. Responsibility keeps me committed to delivering my best, even when projects feel overwhelming.
For those who are just starting, I suggest staying curious about the world around you and observing how design solves problems in everyday life. Keep creating, even when the work feels imperfect, because progress often comes from small, repeated attempts. Most importantly, treat every project with sincerity. People can always feel the effort you put into your work.
How would you describe your ideal client?
Before thinking about the ideal client, I realized there is something even more essential. It is the people you create with. Working on the TWAC project reminded me how the right teammates can completely change the energy of a production. I co-directed the piece with Chi Fan Wang, who also carried a huge part of the project as producer, art director, designer, and animator across both 2D and 3D. Yun Ting Lo shaped the visual language as one of our art directors and designers, and also animated many of the character moments. Tzu Yu Tung brought precision through both art direction and animation, grounding our timing and visual clarity.
With a team like this, every step feels lighter, and even the stressful moments become meaningful. That is why my “ideal client” is someone who shares the same spirit. Someone collaborative, clear with their goals, and respectful of the creative process. When a client brings trust and curiosity to the table, it creates the same environment that made the TWAC project so special for us. That is when the work truly comes alive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yangkaiyo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yangkaiyo/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yangkaiyo/
