Today we’d like to introduce you to Juris Anton Tungpalan.
Hi Juris Anton, 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?
Hi, I’m Juris and I’m a BG Designer at Titmouse! I was born and raised in the Philippines. Two years ago, I packed my whole life into two suitcases and moved to Houston, TX to finally be with my wife (we were in a long-distance relationship for 8 years!). After a year with no luck in finding a job in Houston, my wife and I relocated to LA last summer in search of better opportunities. It was my best career decision yet.
From a young age, I’ve always loved drawing and coloring. I was fortunate enough to have access to a plethora of ’90s-’00s cartoons and anime which sparked my interest to make my own designs. Seeing characters on their journeys to magical or surreal environments and getting immersed in their adventurous stories inspired my younger self to dream and imagine beyond my little world. As I grew older, I knew that pursuing art was my calling, and I decided to major in Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines Diliman. I was proud to graduate Cum Laude, equipped with the traditional and digital media illustration skills to pursue a career in the arts.
I started my career as a Web & Graphic Designer but switched gears to Animation Production in 2016. I worked as a 2D Layout Artist and worked my way up and became a Layout Supervisor. Some of the projects that I was able to be part of include: Zoua, Tish Tash, and Barangay 143. Barangay 143, the first Filipino anime series, was streamed on Netflix Asia and awarded as the “Best 2D Animated Programme” at the 24th Asian Television Awards.
When I moved to the US at the end of 2020, I knew this would open to more possibilities but didn’t realize that breaking into the animation industry was a lot more difficult than I anticipated. I struggled to find a job especially since this was around the time of pandemic. I didn’t want to give up on my dreams so I took a leap of faith and with the support of my wife, moved to LA. Here, I met a lot of people – from fellow artists to recruiters to art directors which helped open doors. Months later, my hard work paid off, and I finally landed a job as a Background Designer. It was definitely a huge relief and something I wouldn’t take for granted. I’m very grateful to be able to have this opportunity and I know this is just the beginning. My goal is to make a difference through art and inspire the younger generation just like how it did to me.
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?
No, it was incredibly rocky. I definitely encountered several struggles along the way as I tried to break into the animation industry. One of the initial challenges was not knowing anyone in the industry and lacking information on how to effectively apply for a job, especially that I was new in a foreign country. I made the mistake of bombarding my resume with all my work experiences (even web and graphic design from a couple more years ago), and compiling a ton of my artworks in my portfolio (or I feel like maybe everything I had), which might not be relevant to the specific role I was applying for. I sent hundreds of applications and most of the time, I never received any responses – not even rejection letters, and that was very frustrating.
I educated myself as much as I could. I researched, watched YouTube videos of artists sharing their journeys, and went to animation conventions such as Lightbox and CTN to meet more people – those who are already working in animation and those who were the same as me, starting to get in the door of the industry. With the pointers that I have learned, I changed my strategy and decided to stop applying for a little bit. Instead, I focused on improving my portfolio and created personal artworks/projects that would showcase the skills needed for the role that I was applying for. I also sought feedback from industry professionals and had them review my portfolio. I probably updated my portfolio too many times at this point but I knew it had to be done.
Another challenge I faced was not having US work experience or credentials. To address this, I decided to enroll in two background-related classes at CGMA and Concept Design Academy. Not only did I acquire new skills, but I also had the opportunity to meet mentors and fellow artists who provided valuable tips and shared contacts that helped me in my job applications. I reached out to recruiters and introduced myself and I made sure that I have an online presence.
I applied for a little over one and a half months and it was definitely mentally and emotionally draining. I even thought about going back to graphic design. Despite these obstacles, I remained determined and hopeful. I proactively took steps to improve my chances; always switching gears and strategies if something doesn’t work out. I am very lucky to have a good support system and very fortunate for getting into my current role right now.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In my current role, I specialize in Background Design. I am responsible for creating the locations and environments where characters move and where all the action and fun happen. This involves working with line art to depict the structural forms of objects such as furniture, gadgets, architecture, cultural and functional designs, layout or floor plans, as well as lighting in grayscale.
I like designing backgrounds because it allows me to invent and build worlds while also solving problems related to the camera shots. This pushes my creativity in terms of composition, ensuring functionality while still making it visually balanced and appealing. I am also particularly comfortable with sketching and drawing in black and white, as well as working with perspectives.
I really enjoy building sets in the fantasy, sci-fi, and action-adventure genres! Landscapes and cityscapes are favorites of mine, and I often find myself getting caught up in detailing more than I think I should. I take pride in my ability to work on a wide variety of projects, ranging from graphic and stylized children’s cartoons to surreal adventure shows for kids, as well as realistic anime or adult animation.
In addition to backgrounds, I also enjoy creating props, particularly unique ones like weapons and technological gadgets. Overall, my specialization lies in creating visually appealing and functional backgrounds that enhance storytelling and bring worlds to life in various genres and styles.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Probably Spotify. I love to listen to music when I’m working as it helps me focus.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.juristungpalan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juristhe13th/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juristungpalan/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/juristhe13th
