Student showcase: Klopas Oey

GRADUATE STUDENT, MOTION MEDIA DESIGN

INTERVIEWED BY MIKAEL TRENCH | PORTRAIT BY SEYOUNG JANG

What brought you to SCAD?

Motion media design is still a relatively new discipline in many art schools that just offer a few electives on the subject, but SCAD has been running their MOME program for more than 10 years. Focusing on this comprehensive program is definitely what I needed once I figured out that motion media design was the career field of my interest. I will say it is my enthusiasm for design as I go back to school many years after my undergraduate degree. I quite lost my passion for design from day-today work. At SCAD, the program, the faculty and the students really inspire me a lot. Keeping your enthusiasm is key.

Where did your love for motion media design start?

The music video “Remind Me” by Röyksopp really brought my interest to motion graphics when I first saw this music video 15 years ago. I realized the impact of bringing graphics and illustration into animation and music as it could be an emerging field in the design industry.

What’s the secret to finding the right feel for a project?

I guess every artist and designer has this sixth sense. If I’m trying to put it in words, I think it would be to learn from other artworks as much as you can. Don’t feel limited to only studying the styles and designs that you like within your field. You will not evolve if you keep feeding yourself the same thing.

What are the biggest challenges and rewards associated with your work?

Time management and scheduling are always the biggest challenges. We all say, “I can do better if I have more time,” but the reality is all work comes with a deadline. A well-planned schedule will tell you when to proceed to the next step and ensure you have plenty of time to spend on each step. I think the biggest reward is when I finished a project that sticks with my schedule and plan.

What’s your biggest piece of advice to anyone entering this field?

It is tempting to start animating things once you enter the motion design world. However, a good foundation of graphic design will give you a better aesthetic sense in motion design. Although our work is in a time-based format, it is still only a sequence of images at the end of the day and every frame should be drafted and produced aesthetically as a poster.

My second suggestion is to study the techniques of other great designer’s work. Everyone has their own way of creating their art. Learn from them and find a way to incorporate their methods into your own work.