Today we’d like to introduce you to Priscilla Quek.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am an artist and designer born in Singapore. I graduated with a Diploma (or Associate’s degree equivalent in USA) in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics from Singapore Polytechnic in 2018, worked as a Digital Designer before going on to pursue BFA in Motion Media Design at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). I graduated in Spring 2022. I studied Motion Media as I wanted to be in the design industry and I could learn many different skills like animation, video editing, storyboarding, experimental, etc.
While working as a Digital Designer, I was very much involved in innovative projects, design ideation and prototyping. That put motion design on the back burner sometimes but it also opened my eyes to various other designs such as experience design, industrial design and product design. Through that experience, I learnt that various fields of designs are so different from each other yet they can work harmoniously with each other. I could take different aspects from other fields of design for a motion piece or a project. I am very grateful to my colleagues for involving me in projects even if it is just sitting in the meeting to listen. I was encouraged to pursue further studies which is why I attended SCAD to receive a BFA in Motion Media Design.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely has not been a smooth road. While studying in Singapore Polytechnic, although I enjoyed what I did and learned, it was much more about technical skills rather than thinking creatively. I experienced a full burnt out by the end of the studies while finishing up my final year project, which resulted in my passion for motion design being almost gone. It is only when I started working which reignited the passion for design as I had to always think and do things creatively. When I was accepted into SCAD, I had to initially turn it down despite the initially offered scholarships as I could not afford the tuition. I was lucky that there was another interview I could go to and was offered more scholarships. The credit transfer and various scholarships from SCAD made it possible for me to pursue the BFA. I had to also use much of both mine and my parents’ savings to cover the rest of the tuition and living expenses. While studying in SCAD, I had amazing professors who are passionate in what they teach, encouraging us to do more, sharing their experiences and giving wise advice when needed. I am also incredibly lucky to have peers who inspire each other, generous with their time and knowledge by helping each other a lot. Being in such a creative environment has helped me grow and improve my work.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work primarily with time-based media which are videos, animations, experimental and experiential. I focus on 2D generally but have an interest in making 2D immersive in 3D space, like AR and projection installations. My proudest work so far is “exist”, a two-channel video projection installation piece. It consists of 2 different projections, that are projected on sheets made of receipts that I collected from people around me and myself, one of optical art and another of a compilation of live footages from my archive with effects generated through TouchDesigner. It is a meditation on dream and real life. It invites the viewer to be immersed with the installation, to reflect on the materiality of the receipt screens and non-materiality of the projected videos. It is also my attempt to prove that there is a space for 2D in a 3D-dominated experiential and immersive experiences.
I was initially trained as a generalist, that meant knowing how to do 2D, 3D, visual effects, video production, video editing, basically the whole pre-production to post-production pipeline. I only had basic knowledge which meant I can do them but not as well as someone who specializes in them. I decided to focus on 2D to improve better in one aspect rather than spreading myself too thin.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was always interested in art as a kid. I remember fondly of having fun drawing together with my Mother for school homework. I was a very curious and imaginative kid. You could often find me reading books where I learnt more about various topics or being immersed in the different worlds authors come up with. I play pretend a lot too, be it on my own with my plushies or with someone else. I would also do arts and crafts, imagining I was in an art show. In school, I would often doodle on notebooks and even on friends’ or my arms. With all these interests, I knew I wanted to be in the creative field when I was exposed to the idea of design.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.behance.net/prisquek20
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prisquek_art/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscilla-quek/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@prisquek20
