Interview with Minyoung Kwak

I created a project about the Tardigrade (Water Bear), a microscopic organism that was once widely known for its extraordinary ability to survive extreme conditions.

The production process followed this order: modeling → texturing (displacement map) → rigging → animation → rendering → editing → sound.

If you decide to pursue motion graphics, I believe one of the most important things is creating harmony between visuals and sound.

I worked on the sound design last, and I regret not working on it earlier, while considering the overall atmosphere and scene arrangement before rendering.

As many people who completed their portfolios before me have mentioned, I recommend preparing your storyboard as thoroughly as possible before joining the portfolio class. Even if your models are not fully polished, it would be helpful to have at least a previsualization ready before you begin.

Without a clear direction, the process can become inefficient in terms of both time and cost. Even while taking classes, I recommend asking your instructors for advice whenever you have the opportunity.

When you encounter something you don't know or get stuck during the process, I think it is better to search for solutions and research on your own first. When you still cannot find the answer, then ask your instructors for help. I believe this approach will ultimately leave you with more knowledge and experience.

Personally, I think I ended up studying even more after joining the portfolio class.

One more thing I would like to recommend is developing a habit of writing things down as they come to mind. Keep track of questions you want to ask before feedback sessions, things you want to discuss, and good ideas or sketches that suddenly occur while working. Keep a pen and paper close by!! (Using the notes app on your smartphone works too.)

For someone like me who had not interacted with many people before or during the project, the workshop became both a much-needed source of guidance and a valuable presence that helped me recognize what I needed to be doing at each stage of the process.

Since I mostly worked at home, I only came to the lab about once a week, but every time I visited, I was able to take away something valuable.

I was especially impressed by the instructors who worked through problems with me and ultimately helped me solve issues that I could not figure out no matter how much I researched on my own.

Thank you so, so much!!