Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Wu.
Candice, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story was always and still a work in progress. Growing up in a family steeped in science and engineering, I always found respite in worlds of imagination. From reading Jules Verne to watching Miyasaki Hayao, there was always an inner child of mine who traveled from one world to another, lost in imagined environments, landscapes, cities, details, and crowds.
My study in Architecture at The Ohio State University and Harvard Graduate School of Design equipped me with skills for designing and understanding the nuanced relationship between individuals and the built environment, through which connections, experience and emotions shall arise. Subsequently, I applied to SCI-Arc’s Fiction and Entertainment program, where I dived deep into worldbuilding and storytelling through space and experience-making. Currently, I’m exploring new methods of intertwining physical space and digital content through innovative use of technology in real-time mediums.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While my journey might appear smooth in retrospect, it was anything but easy. Every step of the way, despite the immense support I received from my family for my dreams and high-risk adventures, I constantly faced uncertainty and self-doubt in making large shifts of my career plans. Each decision was a result of deep deliberation, often colored with ambiguity. Transitioning across industries was the biggest challenge. My interests and skills may be applicable to various industries, but switching paths involves the daunting task of navigating new networks and adopting fresh ways of thinking. It’s almost like restarting from scratch every time, a process that demands resilience, adaptability, and a learner’s mindset. Regardless of the universal anxieties that every international woman faces when pursuing their dream in a foreign land, I drew strength from the continuous process of learning and creating. I could not be more grateful for having collaborations with talented individuals with whom I shared my passion, experiences, and vulnerability.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I navigate the creative processes as a technical artist, spanning from physical fabrication and speculative film to digital experiences, all in the pursuit of unconventional applications of innovative technologies. Stemming from the traditional role of architect, I was trained not just to design buildings, but also systems, relations between parts, and connections across disciplines, as well as new procedures for production and fabrication. Once, a professor joked that performing architecture is like conducting a plate-spinning show, where every plate, akin to every aspect of a building, must be carefully managed. I’ve now repositioned myself still as a plate spinner but have expanded into fields including mixed reality installation, immersive experiences, interactive films and etc.
In a world where technology has become the main driver of our living behaviors and spatial changes, my work often explores unconventional linkages between us and our environments in unexpected ways. My projects range widely from experimental to practical use. ‘D’Sync’, for example, explores non-synchronized game control in a hybrid space of physical and virtual, while ‘Curved Notion’ involves creating AR-aided fabrication for steam-bending wood furniture. My most recent work is my immersive film premiere for my working thesis, which focuses on the topic of materiality in a post-augmented world. In all my projects, I revel in the unique process of creating a replicable technical pipeline that, while remaining invisible, brings more imagination to life.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Los Angeles has a nostalgic aura for me, being the backdrop to many memories with friends and mentors during challenging periods. Its perpetually warm weather feels like an endless summer, where time seems to stretch, making days seem both repetitive and sparkling. What I appreciate most about LA is its expansive nature and cultural diversity. It’s a city where neighborhoods buzz with people from all walks of life, while some areas are very culturally saturated that brings to little worlds of other countries. LA offers a spectrum of experiences and encounters with an unparalleled mix of people.
Contact Info:
- Website: jingyuanwu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jingyyywu/
Image Credits
Profile image credit to Han Binbin.
