Meet bolin zhou | Motion Designer & VFX Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with bolin zhou and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi bolin, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?

Looking back, my journey was filled with unknown challenges that I had to figure out a lot on my own. Making a living as an artist was extremely overwhelming due to personal and financial reasons. Finishing college and obtaining official degrees became a major struggle for me, as distractions, temptations, and obstacles constantly got in the way.

I first attended MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art), where I studied for two years, experimenting with all art mediums and then fall in love with 3D animation, then I transferred to RCAD (Ringling College of Art and Design), a college renowned for its connection to top recruiters in the animation industry, providing students with excellent job opportunities. However, due to failed classes and need to starting over, my graduation was delayed. During the time I felt completely lost, creatively burned out, and facing mental breakdowns. I questioned myself whether if I should continue pursuing this as a career or not, I was thinking about drop out of school so I could do something else to regain some direction in my life. Fortunately, after finally graduating from RCAD (Ringling College of Art and Design) I returned to New York City and began my job searchingl. I was thrilled to receive an offer for a full-time position at a studio Creative Ralph, which became my first official job. I dedicated myself tirelessly to secure the role. Unfortunately, within a year, I faced a layoff due to underperformance caused by various challenges. These challenges included struggling with my own living circumstances, budget constraints, a negative living environment, having my legal status tied to my employment, as well as personal physical and mental health concerns. These factors affected my overall well-being and contributed to the underperformance that led to the layoff.

This experience served as a powerful reminder of the significance of mental resilience and performance within the workplace. Despite the challenges I faced, I remain grateful for the studio’s valuable projects and the opportunities they provided to showcase my skills. Collaborating with esteemed brands such as Netflix, AMC, and USA Network emphasized the importance of consistently delivering high-quality work. It reinforced the value of producing exceptional outcomes and the impact it can have on one’s portfolio and professional growth.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

As a child, I loved creating art through collages, watercolor paintings, and pencil drawings in art class. Music and films had a strong influence on me and provided the main context for understanding visual storytelling. I developed a deep love for animation as it was a higher form of art that could create unforgettable experiences to the viewer and bring dreams to reality.

After finishing high school, I realized the significance of pursuing an art education. Fortunately, I was awarded a one-year presidential scholarship at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art). During my initial year, I developed a strong passion for Experimental Animation and completely immersed myself in it. However, upon completing my sophomore year, I made the decision to transfer to another institution to pursue a more advanced career in the animation industry. That’s when I enrolled at RCAD (Ringling College of Art and Design), focusing on Computer Animation. However, during my time there, my interests shifted towards Motion Design, and I graduated with a major in that field. This area of study enabled me to explore and apply storytelling techniques derived from films, movie title sequences, music videos, TV spots, as well as principles of animation and graphic design. It extended beyond the realm of character animation alone.

Throughout this transformative journey, I discovered the secrets of becoming a master storyteller and guiding narratives from point A to point B. I learned the fundamental art of starting from scratch and understanding the inner workings of the creative pipeline. It taught me the significance of focusing on the process right from the beginning and the importance of patience and collaboration to find a harmonious balance with others. Embracing the path of continuous learning and adaptability was key.. Motion design emerged as a boundless realm of possibilities, enabling me to transcend boundaries and orchestrate my own symphony of visuals. Within this discipline, I crafted visual poetry that conveyed the depths of abstract, imaginative, and emotional narratives, often accompanied by the enchantment of music. It truly felt like magic in the making.

I began my artistic journey with drawing, painting, and video editing, stop motion. From there, I progressed to 3D modeling and 3D animation, eventually learning to create animated shorts and even music videos. While I now focus on one thing at a time, I find great joy in executing and bringing well-designed concepts to life. I don’t practice design extensively but I should, such as creating style frames, but I’m particularly drawn to the realm of commercials, branding, and advertising. Captivating designs and typography that catch my eye ignite a passionate fire within me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

So, my college roomate and his friends recently visited NYC and I made sure to show them an amazing time. One of the highlights was definitely the Ferry Ride. Let me tell you, it was absolutely breathtaking! We got to see the iconic skyline and the city lights were like sparkling magic. It felt like a dream come true!

Oh, and speaking of cool spots, New York Edge and SUMMIT One Vanderbilt. They’re these new must-visit tourist spots in NYC. Trust me, being on top of those skyscrapers was mind-blowing! The view was out of this world.

We also walked across the famous Brooklyn Bridge. It was so much fun strolling from Manhattan to Brooklyn. The bridge has such a unique charm and offers some incredible photo opportunities.

I took my friends to this amazing restaurant called 886. It serves authentic Taiwanese cuisine and the flavors were out of this world. It was a culinary adventure that we won’t forget.

Overall, it was an unforgettable time with my friend, exploring the beauty and excitement of NYC. Can’t wait for more adventures like this in the future!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

first I want to give a special shoutout to my high school in the town of Secaucus, New Jersey. It was there that I made the decision to pursue art at Junior year high school, become an artist, and attend art college after graduating. Secaucus holds a significant place in my personal growth as it was where I matured in various ways. I not only learned English but also formed friendships with students from diverse cultures. In addition, I had the opportunity to attend art classes and learn drawing from art teachers who later became my mentors. Their guidance and inspiration motivated me to create an outstanding portfolio, enabling me to pursue my path of attending art college.

Second I want to give a shoutout to MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) for allowing young artist to explore various artistic mediums, from traditional fine art to digital art. MICA provided the freedom to create art without real-world constraints like being commercializes. While learning the business side is important for artists, it wasn’t the main focus. Despite attending another art college, RCAD (Ringling College of Art and Design), I’m fortunate to maintain close connections with fellow MICA alumni’s. MICA played a vital role in shaping my artistic journey by fostering a limitless creative environment. I’m immensely thankful for the experiences, education, and enduring connections I gained at MICA.

at last I want to shoutout RCAD (Ringling College of Art and Design) for their support in helping me to grow as an artist. I transitioned from just a young digital artist to someone who has developed a career making art. It’s at Ringling that I learned how to be a business oriented individual and consider the financial aspect of being a sucessful artist. Ringling is where I learned about writing, critical thinking, and self-presentation, which I continue to practice regularly. I ultimately found my passion in the Department of Motion Design. Through this major, I had the opportunity to learn the step-by-step production process and learned to develop trust in the creative process. The journey was challenging, and there were moments of feeling overwhelmed, but now I am confident in my ability to have a successful career as an artist.

Website: https://vimeo.com/bananaorangeguy

Image Credits
the personal photos are taking by Eddy yang https://www.instagram.com/0xeddy/?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D