Check Out Kennard Chin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kennard Chin.

Hi Kennard, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve been extremely lucky to have a ton of support and encouragement growing up. Back in Singapore, some of the earliest memories of the people that have kickstarted my creative career have been in secondary school (shoutout to Mrs. Pennie Ong). I was 14 at that time and wholly unsure of if and how I should take on Art as an academic subject, but with a little push and nudge in the right direction, I found myself exposed to the first time to brand new ways of thinking and creating, and of experimenting and learning, all while being guiding along with some of the most impactful and compassionate teachings I’ve had the greatest fortune of being under.

Around this time was also when I really started getting into graphic design (and getting my first taste of digital tools), that ended up being a massive project submission and learning experience for my ‘O’ Levels (a national streaming examination we take when we’re 16 in Singapore). That digital path then led to me stumbling into the world of digital paintings for use in illustration and concept art. The most vivid memories from this period had to be watching design tutorials from Feng Zhu Design on Youtube and experiencing the work of Noah Bradley, these were but some of the individuals that, at that time, seemed to be in the perfect positions career-wise and if anything was affirmation that pursuing a creative career in design was plenty feasible. At that moment, I knew deep inside that no matter what it took, I’d want a similar life for myself and that I was to get good at this, and I was going to make this work.

From that point onwards, it was a collection of slowly working towards that end goal of being a concept artist for film and games, one that while not completely smooth sailing, has been trending in that general direction. I’ve had to weigh my options and even reapply twice to ArtCenter College of Design (that among a ton of other design schools, I had been considering). Moving over from Singapore to the States. I’m thankful for truly supportive parents who have enabled me to embark on this journey. Amidst all of the school transfers and extended trips back home (thanks pandemic!), interim and freelance job opportunities, I’ve only come to realize more than ever that drawing and designing is something that I want to do for a long long time. The past five years of my college experience has been one of great focus and sacrifice, a relentless determination to make this all work.

And this has all led up to this moment, I’m currently two weeks from graduation, having grown immensely as a person and designer from the fresh-faced 14-year-old me, but still just as excited to make and create, plenty excited for what the future may bring.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A large part of my path thus far has been a real test of truly believing in the craft I am pursuing and being quick and ready to rise up to and bounce back from challenges and setbacks. From early hiccups of not receiving a placement in ArtCenter (derailing my initial plans to head over to the States), having to navigate interim colleges as I reapplied by reworking my entrance portfolios, and even when I did make it in, the constant push and pull between developing my tastes and skills, the sacrifices I had to make to personal time and relationships, and more recently the process of job seeking in studios that I really wanted to be a part of – these were all challenges that have tested, at ever point in time, the choice I made to pursue this path.

What I can say, having been through all of these, is that with a good amount of consistency, discipline, and an attitude of genuine curiosity and want to learn (and to make the best of every situation), things have by and large, worked out in the end.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m currently a concept artist specializing in design work for live-action and games. Creating worlds that are hand-crafted and bespoke, designs that speak deeply to the narrative, and presenting visual information in a manner that is acutely familiar yet novel, fresh, and unexpected.

A whole lot goes into the synthesis of an imagined space, and I’m proud of the careful and considered research that goes into everything I do. It is my goal to inspire the imagination, question common tropes, and to get people to dream just a little bigger.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My family first and foremost, who have been unwavering in their support of my dreams and goals (even though I’m pretty sure my parents still have plenty of questions about what it is exactly that I do). They’ve been unquestioning in the choices I’ve made, wholehearted trusting in the big decisions I’ve had to make, and to whom I owe an immense amount of thanks to in shaping me into the person I am today.

My teachers from back in Singapore, who have set me up on path to work hard and dream big. Again, thank you Mrs Ong for the tiny nudge in the right direction, to whom my entire trajectory would have been massively different if not for some much-needed encouragement.

I’ve had the greatest luck to have met some incredibly inspiring friends who have been equally relentless in pursuing what they’ve wanted for themselves. To be surrounded by peers who I’ve had the immense pleasure of learning from has been priceless.

And finally, my partner – who has constantly challenged me to be a better person and has taught me that there is so much more to life than this (sometimes maddening) pursuit of my craft.

I definitely owe a lot of people credit, more so than I can name, so to the people who have been a big part of my life I think you know who you are, and for that I am immensely grateful.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kennardchin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennardchindesign/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennard-chin-11a776159/
• Other: https://www.artstation.com/kennardchin