Today we’d like to introduce you to Yu Chi “Vivi” Kang.
Hi Yu Chi “Vivi”, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hi, I am Yu Chi Kang, and you can call me Vivi. I work as a 3D Generalist and enjoy expressing my stories through computer-generated creations. All my stories begin with my passion for animations which has been a constant source of inspiration and self-discovery for me since I was a child. As I grew older, stories in animations have also been a magic key that healed my heart and taught me valuable lessons in difficult times. The art of storytelling through animations never ceases to amaze me. Pixar’s Finding Nemo (2003) and Up (2009) are the exceptional examples that inspired me. I was mesmerized by the seamless integration of realistic computer-generated characters and environments, which made me realize the boundless potential of animation to create the unimaginable.
And this became the essential motivation for me to start my journey toward the animation field and study.
I was fortunate to have my family’s support of my passion which allowed me to study abroad to gain a broader perspective on the industry. After completing high school in Taiwan, I made the decision to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Animation at Savannah College of Art and Design(SCAD). While at SCAD, I had the opportunity to learn from a diverse range of talented individuals and resources. In addition to offering opportunities to learn from industry professionals, the school also afforded me the chance to explore my diverse artistic interests through various courses. This immersive experience allowed me to hone my digital creation skills and broaden my knowledge of the animation industry during my education.
Through my experiences in animation courses, I discovered that art in animation is truly a magical doorway to the world of fantasy. At the same time, I was intrigued by the visual development techniques that could enhance the realism of lighting, character, and environment design. Therefore, after completing my undergraduate studies, I chose to further my education in the field of Visual Effects by pursuing a Master’s degree program at SCAD.
Throughout my graduate studies, I discovered the potential to integrate storytelling and visual development into my work. I was fascinated by creating narratives through my 3D creations, which involved creating realistic textures, lighting, hair, characters, and environments. As I gained more practical experiences through various projects and collaborations, I began to develop my own story. And this became the foundation of my Thesis project, “The Heaven Place,” which remains one of my most significant accomplishments. Even after completing my Thesis, I continue to strive to enhance and evolve this creation and story.
After concluding my studies in SCAD, I was fortunate to give a six-month internship at Hexbug, a subsidiary of Innovation First International, Inc. This invaluable experience allowed me to gain deeper insights into the industry and work alongside a team of seasoned professionals; at the same time, I met new friends and mentors from this experience. And currently, I am seeking out new opportunities that align with my passion for animation and storytelling. I am excited to continue my journey and looking forward to connecting with other talented professionals who share my passion.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There are always challenges during this journey. I have faced different difficulties along the way. For example, when I came to the United States to attend college in my first year, although my family provided me with lots of support and encouragement, I was still full of uncertainty and fear before I began my study in college. I experienced great nervousness and anxiety about using a foreign language daily and being exposed to a new culture and learning environment. However, I learned to become open-minded and bravely took the first step to starting conversations with people and making some good friends. After classes, I tried to attend presentations that the school offered; the speakers frequently served as both my inspiration and the goals that I was pursuing in my career, as well as they were a source of knowledge and information about the animation and film industries that I am passionate about.
Although I overcame my fear of being in a new environment during my education, the American industry underwent tremendous changes after graduating. I was depressed and having difficulty chasing my dream during the period. At the same time, the warning about my health also put a significant burden on my shoulder. Finding the balance between career and health becomes another challenge that I have to face in my life. However, despite many hardships, I continue pursuing my passion because I believe the bad days will always pass, and the good ones will eventually come.
After all, I am grateful for the support and love that my family and friends have given me during my difficulties, and I am determined not to abandon my dream at any hard time and preserve to overcome the obstacles.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I currently work freelancing, specializing in 3D modeling and look development to satisfy my customers’ requests using software such as Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine. I’m known for detailed oriented and good at catching supervisors’ feedback. At the same time, I am also looking for a full-time opportunity to work in the industry. One of the projects I’m most proud of is my M.F.A. Thesis project from SCAD, “The Heaven Place.” This project allowed me to practice the skills and techniques I learned at my school and let me explore and create my unique vision of the afterlife. This creation process was challenging and required many sources, references, and imagination. I was honored to have the Visual Effects Professor Stuart Roberson, who worked on the film “What Dreams May Come,” direct my Thesis; along with the assistance from Professor Andres Galeano and Professor Charles Shami, I had the privilege of having my Thesis supported by those intelligent professors and completed it successfully.
During the Thesis project, I found that I’m not afraid to challenge the status quo and think outside the box; on top of that, I am willing to hear further feedback and suggestions to bring the project to another level. My strengths in self-learning and open-mindedness also make me stand out from others in my field. Additionally, I’m very hard-working and adaptable, which helps me consistently meet deadlines and approach the best result of any projects I work on.
In the artistic aspect, I’m deeply interested in crafting stylized characters with realistic lighting development that effectively convey my narratives. For instance, when developing my characters for “The Heaven Place,” I learned to create natural textures and hair, which added depth to their appearance. Additionally, “Hamu the Hamster” showcases how I was able to create an adorable chubby character by using my own creativity.
From all the projects I worked on, I’m committed to honing my abilities and imagination in the computer-generated world. My passion lies in using visuals and characters to convey compelling narratives, with the hope that my work can serve as a source of motivation for others, just like how I was inspired by professionals in this field.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Before Atlanta, I spent most of my time in Savannah, Georgia, where my school is based. It is a small town where everything is close to each other so that you can take a walk or bike to any of the places. On the other hand, Atlanta is a much bigger city. It has a more diverse environment and culture than Savannah cannot compare with. At the same time, it provides me with more job opportunities to expand my passion and portfolio from each experience.
On top of that, I pretty much enjoy shopping and purchasing various food similar to those in my hometown. The food sometimes became unique support that gave me hope and courage in times of loneliness and homesickness.
I enjoy and continue to explore new areas in Atlanta. However, since I don’t have a vehicle, I mostly rely on transportation or pick up by my friends to places. Although this might be a little inconvenient regarding time cost, I still have a lot of fun discovering the city, such as the food, beautiful landscape, and environment.
I look forward to developing more interests and meeting more people in Atlanta in this current life chapter!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vivikang.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivikang0106/
Image Credits
Environment Landscape and Foliage for The Heaven Place are created by Chih Yi Lin.
