Today we’d like to introduce you to Ruihan Xu.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I take great pleasure in crafting the unexpected and immersing myself in the vibrant world of colors and gradients. My philosophy is that art is more than just a visual medium; it’s a means of evoking emotions and touching the soul.
When I was little, I discovered art brought me into a world of colors and creativity, where time and fatigue dissolved. Then, I kept narrowing down to which specific area I would go through. I chose graphic design first; then, I dived into the motion design world for further study. I met so many fabulous mentors, such as Gerald Mark Soto, Jon Newman, Santiago Carrasquilla, etc. They are all super meaningful and influential to me.
For now, I posted some motion graphics, 3D, and frame-by-frame animations. Alongside animation, I also made various graphic design and photography forms, including experimental typography, packaging, and branding projects. But overall, I have great passion, patience, and love to design and animate things. They will go with my lifelong path, and each step is memorable.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Balancing art and commercial demands proved challenging yet enticing. I feel like I need to narrow down something from the artistic field and bring more commercial use to the design. Let it be applicable rather than just a piece of artwork. It is a big challenge for me. So, I keep finding the best way to balance it through more experience.
I embraced freedom in most school projects, so for my final year, I resolved not to regret missing my last chance for artistic expression, infusing some of my preferences, style, and abstract ideas into my work. I did not just depend on what I learned from school; I also spent much time on self-study. I love to learn more new skills and keep practicing.
After graduating from SVA in May 2023, I found a fall motion internship working with Zipeng Zhu, a super-talented, lovely, and charming person. I have had some different internships and freelance work before, but this time is different. More challenging, professional, and exciting stuff is here for me. I am really excited to use my skills, do more, and learn more.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently a motion designer and graphic designer. I love working on motion graphics, animation, and branding, but I love to animate things more.
I have posted some animations, with three favorites representing my college milestones. “Nothingness” was my first venture into motion graphic design, played with experimental colors, gradients, and design. It is about how I interpret nothingness. The essence of existence lies in the journey from nothingness to nothingness, emphasizing that amidst societal expectations, the most precious aspect is the individual’s self-acceptance and self-love. It was also posted on the official SVA account, which gave me some confidence to keep my loved style. Although it only gets on the shortlist of the young ones ADC, it is a good experience and growth.
“Overload” marked my first frame-by-frame animation, completed in just two weeks, brimming with fun experimenting with even more color gradients and illustrations. I portray modern life’s strain and information overload, symbolizing it through animals breaking free from human bodies as a representation of emotional release. It is my observation from life. So, the whole process is so much fun.
My first showreel is also meaningful to me since it combines all of the stunning parts of my animations done in my school years. Also, I am happy with how different speeds and animation styles could be artfully edited to create an entirely new visual experience.
I also dabbled in 3D modeling and animation, finding joy in this new medium. Alongside animation, I also made various graphic design and photography forms, including experimental typography, packaging, and branding projects.
Every process was a source of enjoyment, and the result filled me with immense satisfaction.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
The most important way of setting up the network for me is to seek out artists and designers on platforms like Instagram and Linkedin, initiating conversations, and even arranging meetups over coffee. Active participation in social events is key, fostering openness to speak, share, and attentively listen to others’ experiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: ruihanxu.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rooohan._.x?igshid=MTIyMzRjYmRlZg==
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/ruihan-xu-b6243b264
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