Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruotong Cui.
Hi Ruotong, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, my name is Ruotong. I am a recent graduate from School of Visual Arts. My art journey started since my early years in primary school. The act of bringing various characters, scenes, and stories to life through my hands has always captivated me. This passion encouraged me towards pursuing an art major when applying for college, ultimately leading me to the School of Visual Arts. Initially focusing on graphic design, my path took a turn during my junior year as I discovered a stronger inclination toward the art of storytelling.
I found that my true fascination lay in the realm of narratives, particularly in the form of animations and videos – mediums that excel in conveying the depth of stories. This realization prompted me to delve into these avenues during my senior year, refining my skills and expanding my understanding of how to translate ideas into moving visuals.
Upon completing my studies, a serendipitous connection led me to a data science PhD candidate in Germany who was in search of artists to collaboratively craft a 2D digital game. The core concept of the game revolves around guiding the protagonist through a journey of self-discovery while collecting flowers. The narrative immediately resonated with me, and upon exploring the visual style that he envisioned, I found it to be akin to the artistic approach I had often embraced in my previous works. Propelled by my shared enthusiasm for this project, he invited me to join his team as a freelance concept artist. This is the first time I have been introduced to the process of game development. Throughout this journey, I seized the chance to acquire knowledge regarding technical art (such as creative coding and shader)—a realm I had been curious about for quite some time. Currently, our collaborative game is steadily progressing through its development stages. We are hoping to provide users with captivating and immersive game experiences.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It is definitely not a smooth road. In my senior year, I devoted myself to a multitude of motion graphics projects, and my job search gravitated toward roles in 2D animation and motion graphic animation. Regrettably, the turbulent economic climate casts a shadow, leading to a scarcity of openings for individuals at the early stages of their careers. I even encountered instances where interviews were followed by notifications from HR stating that internship positions had to be retracted due to a dearth of ongoing projects within the company. Amidst these challenges, the current opportunity to contribute to this game development team holds immense value. It introduces me to a new domain while still allowing me to leverage my animation and illustration skills. I am also keep looking for more opportunities related to animation right now, aiming to broaden my expertise in this industry.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
In my capacity as a graphic design student, my skill set encompasses a range of services, including branding, editorial design, logo design, and interaction design. However, during my final year in college, my focus pivoted toward the realm of animation. This journey involved crafting intricate storyboards, delving into the nuances of animation software, and honing my illustration prowess.
What truly distinguishes me now is my adeptness at navigating diverse forms of media. This proficiency allows me to approach projects with a multi-faceted perspective, ensuring that a project’s mission is effectively realized across various platforms.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I’m still in the process of exploring my career path, so I wouldn’t claim to have achieved success just yet. However, a characteristic that I believe will play an important role in my journey towards success is my willingness to connect with others. The world is abundant with individuals who genuinely derive satisfaction from assisting fellow beings—these could be your professors, alumni, or even accomplished artists whom you’ve never encountered in person.
Stepping beyond any hesitations, I’ve found that reaching out to these individuals can be remarkably transformative. Initiating a simple coffee chat or seeking advice from those who’ve already made significant achievements in the industry can illuminate my own path forward. Their insights could potentially shape the path of my future career, opening doors to unexpected opportunities. Even in the event of a refusal, the process incurs no losses; the value lies in the mere act of extending a hand and exploring the wealth of connections that exists
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ruotongcui.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruotong.art/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruotong-cui-7647641bb/
Image Credits
Senior Motion Screening: Ruihan Xu, Gerald Soto
