Meet Rotterdam-based 3D illustrator and animator, Jungmin Ryu

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Jungmin Ryu. I was born and raised in South Korea. I am currently working as a freelance 3D illustrator and animator living in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

My hometown is called Siheung. It is about an hour away from Seoul. There are many green areas such as ponds, mountains and parks. so it’s more relaxing than the city.

I lived in Siheung from childhood to 20 years old. And I went for backpacking and have lived in India, Vietnam, New Zealand, Singapore. Now I live in the Netherlands.

I come to Siheung every year to visit my family. Whenever I come, I always go to Mt. Sorae. I like the cold noodles after coming down from the mountain 🙂

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

This time, I’ll tell you more about the place where I live now.

I live in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It’s been about 5 years. The best thing is that there is a lot of nature around my town. I can always go to easy outdoor activities. Rotterdam has lots of art museums. I can meet international artists/freelancers as well.

There is nothing particularly bad thing, but I’d say I have to live away from my family.

I live in Rotterdam, Netherlands. It’s been about 5 years. The best thing is that there is a lot of nature around my town. I can always go to easy outdoor activities. Rotterdam has lots of art museums. I can meet international artists/freelancers as well.

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

How did you start your career in art?

I studied interior architecture at university. I found it very fun to study interior/architecture. But after two years I decided to go backpacking.

So, I took a one year break in college and did a lot of traveling. Starting with a trip from India to New Zealand for a year. I met so many different people and wanted to work abroad, so I recklessly went to Singapore after finishing school.

I printed a lot of resumes and applied to many architectural and interior companies.

Of course, not many people were interested in me (like not at all 🙂 ) ) because I didn’t have any experience and I had bad English but I kept trying to get the job for half a year or so. And I got a job from an exhibition company, and after years, I came to Holland and I worked for a design company. Looking back, I was reckless and very silly, but I liked the way I challenged, failed, failed again and overcame. After working as an in-house designer in the Netherlands for about 3 years, I switched to freelance. And now, I’ve been working with lots of different clients with fun projects.

Looking back, I was reckless and very silly, but I liked the way I challenged, failed, failed again and overcame. After working as an in-house designer in the Netherlands for about 3 years, I switched to freelance. And now, I’ve been working with lots of different clients with fun projects.

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Actually not really. People worried about me and did not really support me at first. But I wanted to show them that I can do it, I got over it, and now a lot of people support me haha. But now when I feel stressed or depressed, I can always talk with my friends and they give me a lot of good advice as well. Sometimes when design is difficult, I ask people who are far from design, such as my mom and friends, for their opinions. When I have a presentation, I practice in front of my friends as well. It helps a lot!

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

Actually, I am very happy with what I do and what I have now. sometimes I feel like I’m dreaming.

I am so happy to work with the things I wanted to do, the clients I wanted to work with before. I didn’t really set the future goal. But I do my best every moment. I try to learn when I am missing something.

I want to try more animation projects in the future.

I am so happy to work with the things I wanted to do, the clients I wanted to work with before. I didn’t really set the future goal. But I do my best every moment. I try to learn when I am missing something.

What are the biggest challenges you face in working as a creative?

I think the most difficult thing is to explain my whole ideas to clients. If they don’t agree with me or I don’t agree with their ideas, We have to discuss to meet the middle. That is more difficult than creating the artwork for me. 🙂

How would you describe the women around you?

I have many female friends from different countries. India, UK, Netherlands, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan. I feel they are Free, honest, confident, and strong. Even though they are all from different countries, all of the girls around me are honest and independent.

I have many female friends from different countries. India, UK, Netherlands, Korea, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan. I feel they are Free, honest, confident, and strong. Even though they are all from different countries, all of the girls around me are honest and independent.

What type of music do you like to listen to?

What’s your favorite local food spot?

Minet Kim asks: What are the three words that describe you?

Damien Jeon asks: Do you draw everyday? or sometimes you skip a few days?

What question would you like us to ask the next artist?

Photos courtesy of Jungmin Ryu