We recently connected with Susan Huang and have shared our conversation below.
Susan, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
I didn’t care about my health much until the year 2021. During the pandemic, everyone stayed at home without going anywhere, people even working remotely. Every day, I would wake up and immediately head to my desk to start working. After spending the entire day sitting in the same spot, I would move to bed and end the day. During that period, I would remain in the same place throughout the day, including for meals and entertainment. Additionally, I was under pressure due to my visa and work. My lifestyle habits began to negatively impact my health, resulting in several problems.
I experienced difficulty falling asleep at night, had poor eating habits, and started experiencing knee pain. Realizing the need for change, I decided to make some adjustments to my daily routines.
I began by waking up early and avoiding staying up late. I soon discovered that having sufficient sleep improved both the quality of my work and my mental well-being. This positive change in sleep patterns allowed me to be more productive in my work.
Furthermore, I start doing exercise. After being trapped in the house for almost one year, I realized the extent to which my physical health had deteriorated and my body had regressed.
Overall, the year 2021 served as a wake-up call for me to take care of my health. Through making changes to my daily routines, I was able to transform my lifestyle for the better. The combination of regular exercise, a healthy diet, movement breaks, and self-care practices have had a profound impact on my overall health and career.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I work as a concept artist and background painter for animated films. I love designing for animation because I can imagine brand-new worlds, including characters and their surroundings. When I design a character, I imagine where they live, what they wear, and what kind of person they are. As for the environment, I can visualize the architecture and plants, and sometimes even design creatures or ghosts! Whenever I start a new project, it feels like diving into a whole new world with an amazing story. The most exciting part of my job is when I see the film finally coming together and everything coming alive! It’s like the story is coming true, turning this imaginary world into a real one where those characters truly exist!
As a freelancer, I enjoy learning various painting styles through different projects. My first internship at TAIKO Studios helped me develop my own painting style and taught me a lot about painting and composition. I started to enjoy using bright colors and graphic shapes in my artwork. Later, I had the chance to learn more about realistic painting while working on a game project. After that, I had the opportunity to work on several concept design projects. These experiences have improved my skills, which is why I always look forward to the next project and working with new teams.
Currently, I’m working on a horror film which I’m really excited about it! The film is based on Taiwanese folk culture and features intense action scenes. The best part of this project is that I have the chance to develop scary ghosts and create some creepy environments. This is my first horror project, and I am incredibly excited to see how it goes!
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?
1. Studying composition is really important in my career life. It has applications in various areas such as background design, character design, painting color and lighting, and more. By contemplating composition, artists can enhance the visual impact and storytelling potential of their artwork. 2. In my experience of studying art, I feel that using real-life references and participating in life drawing are really helpful. While being inspired by other artists is great, observing the world directly allows me to develop my own style and way of thinking. By studying real-life subjects, like people or the world around me, I can better understand them.
3. Do what you really passionate about. I recall signing up for an online course in character design during my student days. I once asked the faculty about the challenges of securing a job in this competitive field. To my surprise, they encouraged me to focus on my true artistic aspirations. They emphasized the importance of not giving up on dreams simply because they are difficult to achieve.
4. The last thing is having some fun and enjoying your life. I find inspiration in everyday life. The things I see, movies I watch, and stories I read all influence my art. The more I experience, the more interesting my art becomes. So, it’s important to have hobbies like watching movies, visiting galleries, reading, or playing games. Art comes from our lives. What we see and experience shapes our artistic expression. The more you experience your life, the more interesting the story in your art.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
The biggest change for me this year has been the development of some new hobbies. Doing these activities that I enjoy has made a big difference in how I feel and think overall. After I returned to Taiwan, I discovered the joy of gardening. I now find immense pleasure in watching the small plants grow on my windowsill. They are like quiet, lively companions that bring me a sense of peace. Observing their daily growth fills me with happiness and peace.
I also started playing games, which has been a great way for me to relax and unwind. Surprisingly, it has even had a positive impact on my career! I truly admire the way games are designed. When I explore the game world, I am amazed by the beautiful environments and the well-crafted creatures. The props, like weapons, are designed so well that their purpose is easy to understand. It’s fascinating how these games can inspire and captivate me, sparking my creativity and imagination.
These activities help to relieve stress and allow me to recharge my mind and body. It offers a way to escape the pressures and gives me a chance to focus on my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.susan-huang.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan.ssh/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-ssh/
