Tinghe Yang – Student Spotlight

My name is Tinghe Yang. I am a 3rd year graduate student pursuing my Animation MFA degree, and this is my second last quarter at SCAD. During my years at SCAD, I had been a 2D animator in SCAD animation studio, working on the beautiful film Bearly. Now, I am working as a Teaching Assistant for Prof. Michele Tessier in her ANIM 372: Collaborative Experiences: 2D production Pipeline class. I love all forms of art which is creative and narrative, and I wish, in all my life, I can always be curious, unlimited and innovative.

What area of animation do you enjoy the most and why?

Most of my interest falls into traditional 2D animation, both character and effect. I am always fascinated by what lines and shapes can create: illusion of weight, dimension, and magic, in that 2D flat canvas. I am not saying I am not interested in 3D animation. I do, deeply! But, more in a cartoony way, in which I can transform the character and do crazy or surreal actions that always provide surprise and fantasy

What is a challenge that you’ve had to overcome?

I am often facing difficulties choosing efficiency or quality. Although I have always been requiring myself to follow the original plan and time, I also push myself to always do more than I am requested to do. My expectation is always high. I want to make great arts. I won`t stop until I reach a limit, either the limit of an artwork or a limit of me. This leads to a problem that more time is needed on each of my projects. Although the projects turn out really well, I still wish I can be more productive and move on to the next project. Or, just have a nice rest 🙂

What advice would you give yourself as a freshman?

Don`t be afraid to take challenges and try new stuff. All incredible arts come from endless exploration and innovation. Also, be confident and proud, about what you already have and what you will do in the future. This confidence overcomes fear.

What inspires you during a difficult project? *

Observation can give me good inspiration. When I was facing limitation or difficulties, I may take some hours doing other things. Playing with cats or taking a walk in a street. I will observe everything and try to find the stories behind them. Sometimes, those objects can be connected to my project, which is a huge inspiration, and it is unique.

What experiences have stood out to you?

Being a part of SCAD ANIMATION STUDIOS as a 2D animator was a great experience for me. SCAD Animation Studio provided an opportunity for us to work very close to professionals. I learned to collaborate using Shotgun, communicate with teammates to work on the shot I was assigned. The film turns out great and the experience was very precious to me

What inspires you?

Beside observation I talked about in previous questions, professional good arts are also a huge inspiration to me. These can not be project to project inspiration. This is my database. When I see a good artwork, I want to figure out how did the artist created those beautiful art, what was in the artist’s mind, and why this art is so good. Such thinking and understanding will become the source of my future creation.

What classes have you enjoyed, and why?

I enjoyed all my classes at SCAD. To answer this question, I want to emphasis some classes I took outside animation department. I took MOME 711, FILM 708, and ITGM 733 from motion media department, film department, and game department. It is always impressive to see how other art doing its job, and then think about how I can combine knowledges skills from different art forms to my animation.

What made you decide to go to SCAD, and when did you choose to go to SCAD?

SCAD provided me good scholarship. This is very important since making arts is an expensive activity. Software, equipment, and art materials cost a lot and I need financial support during my study. Also, SCAD`s career support whose aim is to make its students ready to get into the industry is the second reason for me to choose SCAD. I really want to get a job, so I found SCAD’s education strategy met my career aim. After spending two years at SCAD, SCAD has confirmed my decision to be right and it has indeed provided the education I wanted.

What type of studio would you like to work in when you graduate?

I want to work in a studio doing projects that include varies art styles, and always contain creativity. I am an artist who is interested in all arts which are fun and creative. Always being eager to learn new arts, including different art forms into my projects, creatively solving problem and challenging myself to do the best, I want to work in a motion media company that allows me to explore, challenge, and innovate

What has been the best thing about SCAD?

SCAD providing career advising is a good thing for students like me. I am from another country and was not familiar with the industry at first. After arriving SCAD, I found that not only the career advisers will give us tips, but also professors will also focus on getting us ready for the industry and provide great feedback to guide us towards our career.

What are your goals after graduation/ What goals do you have for your career?

I want to be an animator who can solve all kinds of animation problems, and who can be trusted by my team. I want to be an artist who is so skillful that I can always make cool arts and enjoy the art I am going to make.

Do you have any advice for working as part of a team? (Question for students who have worked on short films only please!)

First, working in a team requires trust. Team members should trust other teammates doing their jobs.

Second, being a team member should take responsibility. As your teammates give you their trust, you should act well and be prompt to respond.

Last, communication is the most important thing. good communication is the best way to build a collaborative team.

When in your life did you decide to choose animation as a career?

In 2016, I composed my first animation in my life. At the moment I saw my characters move, I was touched so much that I cried. The magic and life I felt in animation amazed me so much that I never forget the feeling. From that moment, I know that I am going to make animations.