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The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) and Crazy Talented Asians & Friends (CTAF) present the CTAF Design and Animation Portfolio Review Workshop, featuring a panel discussion on breaking into the entertainment and advertising industries, along with a one-on-one portfolio review opportunity with professional animation and VFX artists from the New York region. Pre-registration is required on a first-come, first-served basis, with a suggested donation of $5 for students and $10 for non-students.

Design and animation are essential for effective communication across industries, from entertainment and advertising to media and beyond. Many talented and highly skilled Asian American artists make significant contributions to these fields, and this workshop offers a unique opportunity for students to learn from their expertise. A group of professional Asian American artists and their colleagues are generously volunteering their time to share their experiences and provide personalized reel reviews, offering valuable insights into applying design and animation skills in the commercial world.

The workshop will begin with a 30-minute panel discussion on breaking into the advertising and entertainment industries, followed by one-on-one portfolio reel reviews for each participant.

CTAF’s workshop, led by Gonzalo Janer, founder of Punchy Motion, will feature a panel of industry experts representing a broad spectrum of professional animation and visual arts experience:

Jae Bae

Jae Bae has over a decade of experience in conceptualizing, designing, creating motion graphics and animated films, Jae specializes in communicating with audiences through creative storytelling. In her current role at Patreon as a lead motion designer, she provides innovative solutions for product design, marketing campaigns, and brand design challenges.

Chun-Yao Chang

Chun-Yao Chang is a VFX compositor, matte painter, environment artist at Framestore and an Adjunct Instructor at Montclair State University. He has years of experience working in the film and commercial industry. Some of the TV shows he worked on include AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” Apple TV’s “Invasion,” Netflix’s “The Perfect Couple,” Amazon Prime’s “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” and much more. Chang specializes in digitally visualizing fantasy stories through his artistic eyes, CG and compositing skills. He is deeply passionate about exploring diverse environments, cultures, and architectural styles.

Ethan Chang

Ethan Chang is an experienced visual effects artist specializing in advertising post-production. With nearly a decade of industry expertise, he excels in high-end compositing and finishing as a Flame artist at Framestore. Known for his keen eye for detail and dedication to crafting stunning visuals, he brings both creativity and precision to every project.

Chris Colby

Chris Colby is an accomplished artist in Manhattan and founder of BadIdea Agency. He is known for his versatility and creative prowess. With a diverse background in artistry, Chris has consistently delivered outstanding work for a variety of clients. He has honed his craft through collaborations with renowned studios and brands, including Imaginary Forces, Nickelodeon, Fox, Fuse Media, IBM, Google, We Are Shadow, e.l.f., Kate Spade, among others. He has a great passion for animation and film as mediums for storytelling and artistic exploration.

Jennah Park

Jennah Park is a 3D/2D motion designer based in New York City, recognized for creating enchanting stories with playful graphics and characters. As an artist, she loves to work with cute, magical visuals and craft playful narratives that bring positive energy to her audience. Jennah currently works at Google as a motion designer and has worked as an animator for Nickelodeon, contributing to freelance projects in both New York and Seoul while passionately pursuing her filmmaking aspirations in the animation industry.

Nicolas Manrique

Nicolas Manrique is an Emmy-nominated senior motion designer, currently working as Principal of motion graphics at Rockstar Games in New York City. He has worked in renowned studios both nationally and internationally, like Diptongo Media Group, Klip Collective, Nickelodeon, and Adolescent NYC. His client work includes TEDx, VH1,FX, Bravo TV, Sesame Street, Oxygen, and CNBC among others. At Nickelodeon he received an Emmy nomination for the show Kids Pick The President in 2016. Currently, Nicolas Manrique and his team focus on game trailers, motion graphics for social media, in-game animation, and other forms of animation for the marketing department at Rockstar Games.

Jui Talukder

Jui Talukder is an illustrator and 2D artist specializing in narrative-driven illustration and animation. She’s worked with prominent clients like Best Buy, PBS, Scholastic, Hollywood Reporter to name a few. She is represented by IllustrationX, a global agency connecting artists with diverse industries.

Muhan Yao

Muhan is a 2D/3D motion designer who worked with Nickelodeon and Google. She also holds a degree in chemical engineering. Her experience and background has allowed her to blend technology with creativity and user engagement.

About CTAF

Crazy Talented Asians & Friends is a community-led program series dedicated to showcasing works by Asian and Asian American artists and their collaborators. The series highlights the diverse creativity and impact of this community while fostering connections among families, friends, and audiences from different backgrounds to celebrate their stories. The Crazy Talented Asians & Friends program series is made possible through the generosity of anonymous donors and the support of numerous community volunteers.