We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ziyun Xiao. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ziyun below.
Hi Ziyun, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Honestly, even two years ago, I never imagined myself pursuing a career in film. My journey to where I am today has been full of surprises. My background lies in traditional STEM disciplines, and during my undergraduate studies, I majored in Industrial Design.
Throughout those four years, I focused on designing tangible, real-world products closely tied to manufacturing and production. At the same time, my passion for creating virtual visual content kept growing. This passion led me to explore animation design as a second focus beyond my core studies, allowing me to combine my love for storytelling with my design background. While industrial design and animation share some conceptual similarities, they are fundamentally different in practice.
For me, animation became a way to express my fascination with digital art and computer-generated visuals. It’s not just about capturing stories rooted in reality but elevating them—creating narratives and emotions that resonate with people on a deeper level.
One key realization I’ve had is that life doesn’t revolve around a single purpose. We generate thousands of ideas every day, but turning those ideas into clear goals depends on our unique experiences and the support we receive from others.
In my case, balancing two disciplines during my undergraduate years was far from easy. Yet, I was fortunate to receive incredible encouragement from my professors and tutors. Instead of dismissing my unconventional aspirations, they supported me wholeheartedly. Their validation, coupled with the unconditional support of my family, gave me the confidence to believe that my ambitions were achievable, no matter how unconventional they seemed.
Finding my purpose hasn’t been a linear journey. It’s been about experimenting, making mistakes, and discovering connections between my passions and skills. It’s a journey I’m still on, as I continue to grow and refine my goals every single day.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Expanded Animation at the School of Cinematic Arts, University of Southern California. In addition to mastering the fundamentals of traditional animation, our program emphasizes exploring the impact of emerging technologies on animation production. We delve into fascinating fields such as visualizing dreams and scientific concepts, combining art and technology in innovative ways.
What excites me most about animation today is how cutting-edge technologies enable us to bring creative visions to life in ways that were previously unimaginable. For example, in one of my recent projects, I integrated a variety of techniques, including Houdini simulations, stop-motion photography, 3D animation, and AI-generated frame interpolation. These technologies not only saved significant time but also empowered me, as a newcomer in this field, to independently manage every step of production—something that traditionally required large teams and extensive resources.
I find this shift particularly inspiring because it opens up new possibilities for storytelling. With the help of AI and advanced tools, even those with limited resources can create complex and visually stunning narratives. This democratization of animation is something I’m passionate about sharing with others.
My personal style leans towards the futuristic. For instance, my undergraduate thesis project was a toolkit designed for Mars colonists, providing both sustenance and companionship during long interstellar journeys. I’ve always believed that human-centered, forward-thinking design applies to all areas of art.
If you’re interested in seeing more of my work, please feel free to visit my personal website for additional projects and updates.
（https://ziyunxiao.cargo.site/）
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?
Reflecting on my journey, the three most impactful aspects have been self-healing, self-learning, and long-term planning.
1. The Ability to Self-Heal
I consider myself a sensitive person, and over the years, I’ve faced inevitable pressures from academics, life, and relationships. During these times, I often found myself caught in cycles of self-doubt and negativity. Initially, I sought help from others—family, mentors, and even professional counselors. While sharing my struggles provided temporary relief, I came to realize that external support alone couldn’t fundamentally solve my challenges.
Over time, I discovered the importance of emotional self-regulation. For instance, when I felt overwhelmed by a challenging project or stuck in a creative rut, I learned to step away and change my immediate environment. Whether it was taking a walk in nature or simply doing some household chores, these activities helped me clear my mind and regain focus.
I also learned to reconcile with myself, particularly as a perfectionist. Letting go of unrealistic standards became crucial for my emotional well-being. After all, no one can fully understand or experience your struggles the way you do. Developing the ability to self-heal has been invaluable in maintaining balance and resilience.
2. The Ability to Self-Learn
I vividly remember a piece of advice from a talented senior in my undergraduate school: “What you truly learn in university is what you teach yourself.” This couldn’t be more accurate. While professors and mentors provide valuable guidance, acquiring the skills necessary to realize unique ideas requires self-initiative.
With today’s access to online resources, there’s almost no tutorial or knowledge base you can’t find. The real challenge lies in personal commitment and perseverance. You don’t need to be great at something to start, but you need to start to become great. Over time, I developed my own learning methods, which have proven adaptable across various fields, not just my area of study. This ability to self-learn has been one of the most empowering skills I’ve gained.
3. The Ability to Plan Long-Term
There’s a saying I live by: “The best time to plant a tree was ten years ago. The second-best time is now.” I’ve made it a habit to think about where I want to be three to five years down the road and to take small steps now to prepare for those goals.
For example, when I aim to enter a completely unfamiliar field, I start by exploring foundational knowledge. This might involve listening to podcasts or watching educational videos by experts in the field during my free time. These small efforts not only broaden my perspective but also help me assess whether I want to fully invest in that area in the future.
This habit of long-term planning allows me to build a solid foundation, even for skills or areas I haven’t formally pursued yet. It’s about gradually integrating future goals into my present without overwhelming my current responsibilities.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Yes, I am actively seeking collaborators from diverse backgrounds, whether they have similar experiences or come from entirely different fields.
Ideally, I would love to establish a team or even a small studio with like-minded professionals. This could include composers, scriptwriters, storyboard artists, and others who bring complementary skills to the table.
Additionally, I’m eager to collaborate with individuals passionate about AI technology—whether they are students, professionals, or researchers applying AI to filmmaking, design, or related fields. I’m particularly interested in working with those who have expertise in robotics, as I aim to combine my animation and industrial design background with AI to explore new possibilities in this domain.
If you’re interested in collaborating or have opportunities for project partnerships or internships, I’d be thrilled to connect. You can reach me via LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ziyun-xiao-ba6b59344 or email me at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tuntunbananaski.cargo.site/
- Instagram: tuntunbananaski
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/ziyun-xiao-ba6b59344
