Today we’d like to introduce you to Daye An.
Hi Daye, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Like how many others’ stories started, I was a so-called geeky kid who loved illustration and animation. I was captivated by the magic of illustration and animation, losing myself in my imagination as I sketched away, filling out countless textbooks and notebooks with my creations. It was natural that I grew up to pursue a path as an artist.
At first, I wanted to be an illustrator, but during my senior year in high school, I started to think deeper about my future and career. While I loved illustration with all my heart, that’s when I grew interest in design. It felt like uncharted territory at first since I had never “made posters or thought about typography and branding” before, but I found myself falling in love with design quite fast. Design was a much broader field than I thought, and the idea of creating visuals while having clear goal and reason caught my interest.
With this newfound passion, I went to a university in Korea to study design. Although I enjoyed studying there, I wanted to learn more and broaden my perspective, and that’s why I decided to fly here to USA and went to School of Visual Arts in New York. I had a great time learning, and I especially grew deep interest in motion design. It was hard to navigate myself in a very foreign place all alone, but tough times made me stronger and helped me grow.
Upon graduating, I was fortunate enough to have a chance to work as a freelance artist at a broadcast company. I grew so much during the time, not only as a designer but also as a professional. Being able to work in real-world projects collaborating with other professionals gave me valuable experience that could not be gained during the school.
Today, I found myself working as a motion graphic designer in an animation studio, focusing on creating visuals that also can tell stories. Creating captivating visuals and giving life to them through animation sparkle joy inside me and I feel very fortunate to be able to work in this industry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There were multiple obstacles and challenges, but one of the most significant challenges I encountered along my journey was striking the right balance between my passions, skills, and pragmatic career choices. As I briefly mentioned, I had a deep love for drawing, particularly character art, and dreamt of becoming a game illustrator. However, as I matured and began considering my career path, I had to confront the reality of my abilities and the demands of the professional world. Despite my passion for character illustration and attempts to learn character art, I recognized that I lacked the skills to excel in that specific niche. I just did not have the talent. Accepting this truth was not easy, but it compelled me to explore alternative within the realm of creativity and design. It was during this exploration that I stumbled upon design, a field that draw my interest and showcased my potential. Especially once I started to dive deeper into motion graphics, I knew this was what I wanted to pursue as my career.
Today, I am grateful for the choices I made and the path I have forged. While my childhood dream of being a game illustrator didn’t come true, I have found fulfillment and joy in my current pursuits. Moreover, I have not abandoned my love for illustration entirely; I continue to practice and refine my skills in my spare time.
This journey has taught me a valuable lesson: life rarely unfolds according to our initial plans and hopes, but there is no singular path to success or fulfillment. You can always pursue what you love in many different ways.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a motion designer and a graphic designer who also has passion for illustration.
In my role as a motion designer, I interpret visuals and contexts through movement and make them more appealing and interesting. I believe that motion adds depth and engagement to visuals, amplifying its impact on the audience. And as a graphic designer, I craft visuals that effectively communicate with target audiences while maintaining brand consistency and adherence to guidelines.
During my time at Nickelodeon, I contributed to various projects where I designed and animated diverse elements such as cards, show graphics, and assets. As a company, there was a clear guideline to always keep in mind, and working as a designer was like playing around with few given guides and keywords, finding a way to make it visually exciting and outstanding from audience’s point of view. For instance, I worked on two seasons of NFL Slime Time as a designer/motion designer, which were Nickelodeon projects but also had a connection with CBS Sports. Therefore, the team’s goal was to create a design that felt like Nickelodeon but also had the independence of a “sports show for kids.” This was achieved by combining Nickelodeon’s brand identity using splat shapes while playing with dynamic typography, textures, and icons.
It is important not only to create good visuals, but also to consider legibility and practicality, which is a very interesting and creative process of balancing between rules and creativity. Now, my work is more centered around motion design, where I elevate brand identities and craft narrative through animation. I sometimes work on animating character which brings characteristics and friendliness to the brand, and sometimes work on typography, which enhances the brand image and value. I believe my dedication to combine artistic expression with strategic communication sets me apart as a creative.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I believe success is deeply tied to personal fulfillment in one’s work. While financial compensation is certainly important, true success for me comes from finding purpose and meaning in what I do. If I find myself engaged in tasks that feel trivial or lacking significance, I’m compelled to reassess my direction. One of the most gratifying moments in my career is witnessing the fruition of projects I’ve poured my energy into. Seeing the tangible impact of my efforts and knowing that they contribute positively to others is immensely fulfilling. It’s in these moments that I truly feel successful, as they affirm that my work holds value and meaning beyond just monetary gain.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dayean.me/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daye.an_day/
