Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kea Xie. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kea, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
The unwavering essence of my creative intent has always been to produce works infused with a warm emotional touch.
Back in my student days, a wise professor shared, “Creation is a solo adventure.”
In the realm of creativity, challenges are inevitable. However, I am not inclined to produce blindly trending content for the sake of fleeting attention. I believe that creation is a sacred act, one that must hold personal significance and be connected to what I truly care about and cherish. Building upon these foundations, I transform these concepts and thoughts into a visual language, conveying them to others.
The inspiration for my creations primarily stems from everyday life. Whenever I feel inspired or wish to express thoughts through my work, it often coincides with challenging moments in my personal life. Many of my works have a profound connection to the theme of “self-discovery.” For instance, one of my animated pieces, <Alona>, explores the concept of love: “Is ‘loving a person’ about loving different individuals? Or is it just self-projection?” I view creation as a means of exploration and better understanding of myself.
Rather than describing how I infuse life into my creations, it’s more accurate to say that creation gives me a sense of vitality and makes me feel alive.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Kea Xie (Yichia Hsieh) is a versatile 2D-3D artist hailing from Taiwan, holding a Master’s degree in Animation from the University of the Arts London. With a keen sense of observation and a natural flair for storytelling, Kea possesses a remarkable rhythmic sense in mastering motion images. This proficiency imbues her work with a panoramic vision and boundless creativity, effortlessly translating abstract meanings into vivid visual symbols. Her creative philosophy often draws inspiration from self-exploration and the interation between individuals. Kea’s collaborative projects and individual works have garnered numerous accolades in both Taiwanese film festivals and international arenas, including the Golden Bell Awards, Reddot Award, 16th Athens Animfest, AniMate, Cartoons Underground, and more.
Proficient in various animation production software, Kea excels in After Effects, TV Paint, Animation, Motion Graphic, and Character Design.
Currently, she holds the position of Senior Creative and Motion Designer at Muzixiii Studio, an animation studio in Taiwan. Her contributions to studio projects have earned international recognition, including the prestigious Telly Awards gold prize and the IF DESIGN AWARD.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three most influential elements in my creative journey are heartfelt perception, self-discipline, and perseverance.
Heartfelt perception is closely related to my creative inspiration. My inspiration often stems from my own emotions or the inspiration I derive from people and things encountered in life. I transform these feelings into animated images, while also documenting my life’s journey.
Self-discipline acts as the engine driving me to complete my creations. It’s like having various inspirations stored in my mind, but if I don’t bring them to life, these interesting ideas remain mere fantasies. Being a self-creator means there are no clients or contracts to push me forward. Therefore, I must manage my time and organizational skills to accomplish my goals.
Perseverance is about belief. I’ve always strived to create animated works with warmth. Moreover, I don’t create to cater to others or follow any popular trends. I prefer to tell my own stories or express my own ideas, even philosophies, through my creations. There have been friends who were moved by the concepts my animations aimed to convey, and I hope to maintain this belief in my creative endeavors.
For those who are just stepping into or aspiring to enter this field, my advice is this: Creativity isn’t just about producing artworks; it’s about exploring oneself and clarifying one’s values through the process. It won’t be a smooth journey all the way, but if you persevere and believe in yourself, the end result will undoubtedly be fulfilling.
Tell us what your ideal client would be like?
I believe an ideal client possesses three key qualities: Punctuality, Value, and Communication.
Punctuality: Whether in initial discussions or throughout the production phase, being able to provide prompt feedback or deliver necessary materials efficiently ensures minimal waiting time during video production.
Value: The term “value” encompasses a wide range of meanings. In its narrowest sense, it refers to the budget allocated for project production, which should not be compromised below market standards due to personal relationships or exceptional circumstances. In a broader sense, it implies a fair and just relationship between creators and clients. Every collaboration should be characterized by equality, avoiding any hierarchical relationships based on client payments or directives on how to proceed.
Communication: Effective two-way communication is crucial for an ideal client relationship, ensuring smooth information flow and timely problem resolution. This complements the punctuality aspect mentioned earlier.
While these three qualities represent my ideal client, practical collaboration is a two-way communication. While we may envision an ideal client, I must be the perfect service provider. Despite my experience in various animation projects, I continuously strive to refine and achieve precision in these three qualities. Additionally, as an animation creator, technical expertise remains a paramount attribute.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.keaxie.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ikea_xie.mov/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kea-xie-6b8a0319b/
Image Credits
image 01-07: Design & Animation: Kea Xie image 08: Art design & Styleframe : Tzheng hsu Animation: Kea Xie
