Today we’d like to introduce you to Janice Chang.
Janice, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in LA and ended up not going too far for school at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. I’ve always been painting, drawing, and making tiny clay hamburgers since I could remember, and only later did I learn that I could make a living doing what I love. It was during high school that I realized I wanted to become an Illustrator, and thanks to my parents who have always been super supportive, I was able to get a portfolio together and eventually go to art school. Since graduating, I’ve been pursuing a career in motion and animation, also working on brand and editorial illustrations as well.
Has it been a smooth road?
Working as a freelancer means that every day can be a little challenging. Sometimes, there’s a lot of work at once and it can be difficult to manage or sometimes there’s nothing and you think you’ll never work again and that was it. Even though I wish that it was a smooth and happy road all the time, I think the struggles that we experience end up playing so much more in our work and sometimes the best pieces come from those moments. This might sound cheesy, but my advice when starting out is to just keep pushing and not sell yourself short. Know your worth and don’t let others tell you that you otherwise.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with your business – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Most of my illustrations are done digitally, and they explore the relationships between people and their surroundings and people interacting with other people. I love to people watch, and pick out the little quirks and details of a person’s life and being. As I am constantly influenced by my surroundings/friends, my work takes on an honest representation of the sometimes humorous and bendy limbs of my characters. A lot of the work I’ve been doing recently is editorial illustrations for publications and sometimes, the occasional branding work for different companies as well.
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
My advice to others just starting out their careers is to just go for it. Sometimes, the overthinking, and this is just from personal experience, ends up stopping you from really getting your name and work out there. Also, something that has helped me over the years during school and after is surrounding myself with like-minded people. The friends around me constantly influence my approach to my work, and just being able to bounce ideas off of each other, get advice, and have that support system is something I wouldn’t trade anything for.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.janicechangart.com/
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janiceechang/?hl=en
Image Credit:
Portrait by Keith Oshiro
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