Tell us a little about yourself and your career.
Hello, I am Cheng. I’m a Visual Development Artist and Character Designer currently based in Los Angeles. My early career began with working as a Character Designer for a show called Lu’s Time in China. It was a fortunate opportunity for me to work on the show during my fourth year of pursuing a bachelor’s degree. I met many good friends and gained enough experience to earn my degree at USC. After graduating from USC, I worked for a game studio for three months and then moved to the development team of Warner Bros. Pictures Animation. My first project at Warner Bros. was DC League of Super-Pets, where I served as a Visual Development Artist. Currently, I’m working on another feature-length animation film and collaborating with a group of very talented crew members. We look forward to proudly presenting this show to the audience.
What challenges have you faced in navigating a career in animation?
Breaking into the animation industry was a significant challenge when I graduated from school. During my studies at USC, I had to concentrate on my assignments while also trying to connect with industry professionals for potential internship opportunities. At that time, I struggled with both an introverted personality and limited English skills, which made me hesitant to reach out to others. For three years I doubted whether I could secure a job in the United States as an international student. Fortunately, I encouraged myself to attend as many interviews as possible at the USC career fair, and my efforts ultimately paid off. Warner Bros. reached out to me and offered me a freelance position, which later turned into a full-time job.
Maintaining my enthusiasm as an artist and turning my hobby into a job was also a challenge. Once my hobby became my profession, I had to remind myself to focus on the fun aspects of my work while learning to balance life between drawing for pleasure and drawing for work.
Who are your inspirations in the field of animation?
Many people encouraged me to choose this career path. I would like to thank Director Haoling Li, who provided me with my first opportunity in his animation show. My university teachers Tom Sito and Michael Patterson introduced me to the variety of the animation industry. My friends Er Kang, Zilai Feng, and Ran Zhang inspired and led me to this industry. And my family, who are my everything, has always been a source of unwavering support.
What do you hope to accomplish as an artist in the animation industry?
My initial wish from several years ago was rather naive: I aspired to be the best animator in the industry. However, I soon discovered the presence of many more talented artists within the field. This realization led me to shift my focus toward becoming a better artist compared to my past self, which is my current goal. I plan to continue my journey as an artist in the industry and am curious to see how far I can progress.
What does being in the Union mean to you?
It means a lot to me. I’ve always struggled with negotiation, often feeling hesitant and overly worried about discussing salary matters with my boss. It’s a challenge I know I must confront, and thankfully, the Union has been a tremendous support in this regard. With their help, I no longer feel isolated when facing the companies. It’s empowering to know I’m not alone in these situations.
See more of Cheng’s artwork here.
Connect with him on Instagram and LinkedIn.
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