Meet visual development and storyboard artist from Kuala Lumpur, Wendy Tan Shiau Wei.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m a visual development and storyboard artist for animated series, advertising, and films. I’m also an illustrator for children’s books and publishing. I started drawing only while I was in high school; I was so focused on academics and getting good grades throughout my student life. After I graduated from high school, I had a chance to choose between science and art as my life career, I decided art in the end!

I love telling stories through my works; storyboarding and comics are two of the ways I express my thoughts and feelings. The magic of storytelling is what I am addicted to with art!

 

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

I am currently living on the outer side of Kuala Lumpur with my family, which is more peaceful and calm. There is a reserved forest just outside of my window; living nearby nature is a buffer of life stress. If you listen closely, you can hear an eagle soaring in a thermal; birds singing in the morning and toads croaking in the rain. My favourite activity is walking my puppy, Lucky, down our neighbourhood in the evening. It helps refresh my mind from work and release negative energy.

 

The magic of storytelling is what I am addicted to with art!

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

The best things are the food! There are always tons of delicious foods from different cultures, and the best thing is you can find them anywhere, from hawker stalls to fancy restaurants. That’s the beauty of a multiracial Malaysia.

However, I can describe the worst thing about living in KL in a word: Traffic.

 

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

Passionate, Opportunities, Unappreciated

 

How did you start your career in art?

I started my art career before graduated from college in 2016; many opportunities were given by my lecturer. He taught us not only technical skills but also how to handle works, clients and deadlines. That was a start for me to get into the advertising industry. I also got a chance to work for a Singapore-Malaysian movie when I was in college.

Throughout the years of studies, I built my own personal page on social media and people were noticing my works. There is where my jobs mostly came from, by self-promoting.

I got my first full-time job as a storyboard artist in a local animation studio. During that time, I improved on my storytelling skills; and we were involved in tons of great shows that aired globally.

In these 4 years of working in the art industry, I never stop working as a freelancer, I was lucky enough to be recognized by overseas studios and publishers and worked with them. Now, I’m represented by Astound US as an illustrator for publishing works globally. My works are able to be found in TV commercials, radio stations, advertisements, shows, publishing, and fashion. I’m always grateful to have opportunities to work with so many different projects and clients. My career journey may seem random, but the experiences are strengthening my skills and career.

 

My career journey may seem random, but the experiences are strengthening my skills and career.

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

At first, my parents were a bit disappointed when I told them that I decided to pursue an art career, they preferred me to become a doctor or a nutritionist. They thought that it was a waste that I threw away my good result to pursue art, but they decided to respect my decision. Now, I can proudly say that I didn’t let my parents down! Exam results are not the only things that can define your future, but passion and ambition are! However, the only useful thing about getting good results is getting a full scholarship, haha!

 

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

I want to create more illustrations or children’s books that can help enrich children’s childhood with joy and creativity. Other than that, I want to develop my own cartoon series which I have been working on. Also, I wish to produce my own merchandise and have my own brand for artistic fashion.

 

I want to create more illustrations or children’s books that can help enrich children’s childhood with joy and creativity.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

Oh wow!! I have so many artists that I look up to and want to collaborate with them! If that will be a dream, I would love to collaborate with 米津玄師, he has such amazing talent that touched my heart deeply.

 

How would you describe the women around you?

The woman that has been closest to me since I was born is non-other than my mom, she’s always an independent, tough and strong woman, sometimes funny too. Even though we may have disagreements, she always respects and supports me. In the eyes of outsiders, we seem like friends than a mother-daughter relationship. I can always tell her my thoughts and depression; she never turns her back on me. She always tells me to do my best in everything so that one day I can appreciate my own hard work.

 

The woman that has been closest to me since I was born is non-other than my mom, she’s always an independent, tough and strong woman, sometimes funny too.

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Sadly no, I think the main reason is that I wasn’t knowledgeable enough about the creative industry during my younger ages. Academics was my first priority at that time.

 

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

I have never experienced any gender inequality in my industry. In fact, I know a lot of female clients who hold high positions and have excellent skills, talents, and knowledge! Opportunities come to those who are capable and well-prepared.

 

Keep moving forward.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

Keep moving forward. Don’t be afraid to do what you’re passionate about and work hard!

 

 

Photos courtesy of Wendy Tan Shiau Wei.