Life & Work with Ivy Yuansi Mai

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivy Yuansi Mai.

Ivy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I hail from Guangzhou, a bustling metropolis in South China renowned for its stunning blend of modernity and tradition. After completing my first degree at South China University of Technology, I found myself still searching for my true passion. It was during the rewatching of Harry Potter that I had an idea: nothing excited me more than becoming a CG artist! My journey into CG began in 2020, and after the peak of the pandemic, I made the life-changing decision to move to Los Angeles. Through dedicated self-learning and perseverance, I eventually gained admission to Gnomon School of Visual Effects. Graduated in December of 2023, I got a position as a visual effects artist at Frame48 Studio in Culver City.

As I reflect on my journey, I am compelled to express my gratitude. To my Gnomon friends, thank you for your support. And to my family—my parents, sister, and Wangwang kitty cat—your unwavering love and encouragement have been my anchor throughout the darkness. This little story is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the support of loved ones.

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?
It took me several years of exploration and practice to pinpoint my true passion and career path. During my first degree in communication studies, I immersed myself in watching countless movies and even attempted to write my own scripts. However, it was when I found myself repeatedly drawn to feature animation that I knew I was onto something significant. I didn’t see this time spent as wasted; rather, it was all part of the journey to discovering my passion. I began expressing my newfound interest through drawing, sketching characters from movies, and creating landscapes in software like Photoshop. In 2018, I took a life-changing leap and attended a summer school in USC SCA. It was there that I delved deeper into my artistic pursuits, honing my skills in Maya, my first introduction to 3D software. This experience opened my eyes to the diverse possibilities within my life.

From that point on, I was determined to pursue my passion for visual effects and animation. It required a significant investment of time and effort, but every step of the journey has been immensely rewarding. Today, I stand at a point where I’ve realized my dreams, grateful for the journey that brought me here.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Last December marked my graduation from Gnomon School, a significant milestone in my journey. I crafted my first-ever FX demo reel, pouring my heart and effort into every single frame. From explosions to intricate smoke, rigid body dynamics to particle effects, I collated all my favorite dynamic elements into a one-minute showcase. The result left me feeling proud of myself. Shortly after, I was happy to land a full-time position as an artist at Frame48 Studio. Each day since then has been a rich learning experience, surrounded by exceptionally talented coworkers whose creativity continually inspire me.

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I think the biggest crises I ever experienced in my life are those moments of feeling losing my v.i.p. of my life, my families and friends. I learned a hard lesson: there are aspects of life beyond our control, no one can predict the future. While making money and reputations may matter, I believe I have the power to give one of my major attentions to my families and friends. Even though my family and old friends are living in many different time zones, we still make time for each other and have nice conversations and quality time! Rather than fretting over the past or worrying about the future, I’ve learned to focus on the present moment.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_y24i_/
• Artistation: https://www.artstation.com/ivymai
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/y24i/
  
• FX Demo Reel: https://vimeo.com/838470609