Joan Wirolinggo, "The Future's Animation Artist"

Joan Wirolinggo

Visual Development Artist

Projects

• Lisa the Brave
• Hazel -- Nut Story

Career

• 2017 -- now                                 : Baobab Studios, Visual Development Artist
• 2017 -- now                                 : HouseSpecial, Visual Development Artist
• July 2017 -- February 2018   : Soba Production, Visual Development Artist
• 2015                                               : StudioX, Academy of Art University, Visual Development Artist
• 2012 -- 2013                                : Freelance Illustrator for children's book
• 2011 -- 2014                                : Academy of Art University, Foundation Classes Tutor   

Education

• 2014 -- 2017             : Academy of Art University, Master of Fine Arts, Visual Development
• 2008 -- 2012            : Academy of Art University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration

Joan Wirolinggo -- or Joan in short -- is a visual development artist who works for Baobab Studios, California. She also refers herself as a freelance concept artist.

Joan is a master graduate of Visual Development from Academy of Arts University, San Francisco. Her works whilst in university encompassed a visual design for mobile game 'Han's Treasure', and visual animation in 'Hazel -- Nut Story' and 'Lisa the Brave'.

Joan's illustration in 'Hazel - Nut Story' (above) and 'Lisa the Brave' (below).

Through her works, Joan has accomplished several awards for herself, such as the MFA Best Drawing in Spring Show 2015, Academy of Art University, and MFA Best Environment Design and MFA Best Mobile Game Design in Spring Show2017.

As of right now, Joan is working with Baobab Studios, a Virtual Reality (VR) based animation studio in California. The most notable work of Baobab Studios is short movie "Invasion!" which won the 2017 Daytime Emmy Winner for Outstanding Interactive. In Baobab Studios, Joan helps to create high quality art for marketing purpose and to generate concept art for the studio.

Here is our interview with Joan:

Q: How do you describe your line of work as a visual Development artist?

As Visual development artist, I designed character, environment, and props for an animated film. I also designed the color keys and lighting keys to develop the look and feel of the film.

Q: When did you find yourself interested in animation?

I am interested in animation ever since I was young. I grew up watching a lot of animation such as Sailormoon, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, Doraemon, Lion King, Hunter X Hunter, Salm Dunk, My Neighbor Totoro, etc. In high school, I heard about Digital Studio College in Jakarta and took their Animation course. It gave me a taste of animation industry.

Q: Why did you choose your career in Visual Development for Animation?

During my first year at the Academy of Art University, I fell in love with drawing, painting and telling story through my design. Visual Development is like the best of both worlds where I can do what I love to do (design, drawing, and painting) for the animation industry that I grew up with.

Q: In animation, who inspires you the most?

For animation, Glen Keane is very inspiring. I grew up with animation that he anaimeted. As for Visual Development Artist, Eyvind Earle and Mary Blair inspired me the most.

Q: How do you see the future of animation industry?

Animation Industry, I think, is always growing and pushing its medium forward. Nowadays, with the trend of interactivity such as AR and VR, it opens up posibility  for Animation to push its limits in engaging with the audience and creating full immersive experience.  

Q: What is your plan for your future career?

I would love to still working in animatiton industry and be able to inspire the younger generation to dare to dream big. 

Examples of Joan's sketches.

Examples of Joan's sketches.