Meet Isabelle K Winarto | Graphic + Motion Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Isabelle K Winarto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Isabelle K, why did you pursue a creative career?
Growing up, my family loved going to the cinema on the weekends, and naturally, I became interested in filmmaking and storytelling’s intricacies. The captivating ability of stories to simultaneously entertain, enlighten, educate, and inspire fascinated me. Not only that but unlike any other things I’ve experienced, stories could effortlessly transport me to new worlds – which I found mesmerizing, especially at the early age of ten.

I faced a challenging dilemma as I contemplated my academic journey and my choice of major for my further studies. I was torn between all my interests; graphic design, film, and visual effects, and that’s when I discovered motion design. The fact that motion design represents a diverse discipline and lies in the intersection of so many other fields, intrigued me. Thus, my decision to dedicate the next four years of my life to studying motion design emerged instantaneously and resolutely. I love that motion design encourages me to explore outside my comfort zone, be inquisitive, and take risks.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As I briefly mentioned earlier, my creative inspiration finds its roots in film and music, inevitably leaving a mark on the projects I create. Through studying at SCAD, I’ve learned that the projects I enjoy the most are creating title sequences, conference titles, event promos, and lyric videos.

My work is a series of explorations and experiments of ideas and styles that intrigue me during different chapters of my life. While I strive to explore new styles with each new project, I find myself drawn to particular animation styles, including collage animation, kinetic typography, and 3D motion graphics.

However, I’ve been trying to delve into the realm of illustrative motion graphics too recently! One of my favorite projects that I’ve done so far is a project I did with fellow motion designer Tiffany Tedy. During the winter quarter, Tiffany and I got to work together on a Rebranding Package for the Korean TV show “SKY Castle,” and I had an absolute blast creating it from scratch. I enjoyed every step of the process and loved that we were allowed to break down and analyze the show’s themes, motifs, symbols, and characters and then include them as easter eggs in the title sequence! It’s also exciting to experiment with an unfamiliar style and push myself to take on new challenges.

In addition to illustrative motion graphics, I’ve also become more interested in creating interactive, immersive, and customizable motion design pieces, aiming to create a deeply personal connection with the audience. This includes creating VR spaces, and animated AR filters. When I think of my favorite art galleries and the different exhibitions I’ve been to, the immersive works that invited me to engage with them remain etched in my memory. Hence, moving forward, I hope to elevate this interactive dimension in my future works.

As I move forward in my artistic journey, I hope to continue pushing my creative limits and embracing the challenges that come my way. I’m excited to see where the future of motion design goes and to be a part of an industry that is continuously expanding and merging with other creative fields!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To me, a perfect day in Savannah looks like a morning coffee run to Foxy Loxy, brunch at Fox & Fig Cafe (their chipotle mac is my favorite!), an afternoon stroll around Bull Street (E. Shaver, Bookseller is a must-visit!!), dinner at Riverside Sushi, and of course, dessert at Leopold’s!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am beyond grateful for the unwavering support and love of my family and friends, and it is with deep appreciation that I dedicate this to them. I wouldn’t have been where I am today, pursuing my passions and aspirations, if it weren’t for them. To my incredible parents, who gave me the opportunity to travel across the world to pursue what I love with boundless enthusiasm. My siblings, for being the best creative springboards and for being a source of comfort and joy.

My friends, mentors, and the MOME Department, for their encouragement and guidance. Your unwavering belief in me, even when I struggle to find reasons to believe in myself, has given me immeasurable strength and determination.

My heart overflows with gratitude for the privilege of having you all in my life. I’m forever grateful <3

Website: byisabellek.com

Instagram: byisabellek

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isabelle-kalyn