Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheng Guo.
Hi Cheng, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Thanks Voyage invites me to have this interview to share my story with readers of Voyage LA. Like many ambitious people, my initial artist career started as a collage student at the Digital Animation program of Shanghai University in 2010. I have a not perfect collage life but met lots of people who share same interests like me. During my third year, I met director Haoling Li and served as a character designer for him who also collaborates with Tencent and other big media companies. In this collaboration relationship, we made a lot of internet animation series that have over millions views. Playing as a character designer for these show exposed me the structure of the Chinese animation industry. In the year 2016, I feel I need more knowledge and wanna see the world. Fortunately, opportunity founds me very soon. Initially, my roommate aroused my interest of Cartoon Network’s TV show. At the same time, my portfolio was accepted by USC. So I made a difficult decision to study at the United States. That means I will give up my career in China.
In 2017, I traveled across the pacific ocean to take my master’s degree in the University of Southern California. I am so luck to meet my professors at USC. They showed me many unexpected potentials of the creativity of the animation industry. It is also the first time I have a better view of what I really want.
After graduation, I chose to be a Visual development artist that many people call it concept artist. Currently, this year is the third year that working for Warner Brother as a visual development artist. I am very proud that selected work for several featured animations include DC League of Super-pets and other unannounced shows. I am still working and I feel satisfied with my job.
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?
Thanks for asking me this question. Yes, of course, struggles are everywhere before and after my graduation. My biggest challenge is choosing the right career path before graduated from school. Not only me many students share the same situation as me because the intense competitive environment of the industry. Furthermore, the pandemic of covid-19 discourages my confidence to get my foot in the animation industry. For this, I am very appreciate my friends and my family who mentally support me overcome the whole pandemic years.
The pandemic not only challenged my country identity but also life attitude and more. I experienced many emotional feelings that inspired me to be a better artist and man. The most difficult aspect to me is looking for the sense of belonging at the United States compare to the People’s Republic of China. I feel the culture is so different that easily build misunderstand with other race of kind people. On the other hand, China locked down its border also disturbing me during my creative process. My family hold a very conservative attitude of the “lockdown” but I am more agree the opposite side. Both opinions always battled in my mind while I am creating art. Then 2023 coming along, the world suffer the economic difficulty and studios laid off employees. The depressed environment influenced my mental health that takes me a long time to recover it. I
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I was a character designer back to China and now I am a visual development artist in Warner Animation Group. This role visualizes the imagination and presents it to people. Imagination is the ability that we strongly relies on. It helps me to generate ideas before I start drawing. I am very proud that I am fortunate enough to work at this industry.
Compare other artists who serve for studios in the industry with outstanding painting skills. I rely on searching inspiration from historical events such as the Great Purge of Soviet Union to the Decline of Chinese Qin dynasty.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
As an emotional person, self-encourage is a very necessary process of my daily life. It not only clean bad emotions from my mind also rewards me a better quality of my artwork. Furthermore, creating mind-touch animation shot is my goal that push me read books and social with new people. The reason is that reading allows me better understand myself and the mistake I was made. Mistakes remind me my characteristic flaws. All these behaviors accomplish my self-criticism process. This process makes me happy because I feel satisfied of my personal improvement. To be a better man is my definition of my success inside.
Career success is also what I am looking for but I do not want to lose myself because of the thirsty to be success. I believe the purpose to make art is to be happy and mind peace. I want to maintain an original intention that why I choose this career instead other more economic beneficial career. The intention of making animation that defends itself from depression and destruction. This is what I learnt from many fellow artists who is my example and teacher. Learning from people is very important to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.guochengportfolio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gcspices/
