Meet Jess（Hongjia） Chen | Motion designer & Mural artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jess（Hongjia） Chen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jess（Hongjia）, how do you think about risk?
Risk has always been a constant factor in how I make decisions. To me, risk is not a sudden leap, but a gradual move toward the unknown when a certain approach can no longer support further exploration. Whether it was shifting from fine art to mural painting, or later expanding my focus toward stage design and motion-based visual work, each transition meant letting go of familiar modes of expression and entering environments that were more complex and less predictable. Mural painting pushed me to confront issues of scale, site, and public presence, while stage and dynamic visual work placed creation within systems of time, technology, and collaboration. Within the process of each project, risk often becomes a source of insight rather than something to avoid. When an initial solution no longer works, risk forces me to reassess conditions, restructure the approach, and discover new possibilities within constraints. Through these recurring moments of uncertainty, I have developed a more open way of working, allowing the project itself to guide the direction of creation. For me, risk is not a deviation from the path, but a force that drives continuous exploration and growth.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work sits at the intersection of spatial thinking, motion, and visual systems. I rarely understand visuals as isolated images. Instead, I approach them as holistic experiences shaped by space, time, technology, and the interaction between people and their environment. My background spans fine art, public mural work, and stage-related visual production, which allows me to remain attentive to how visuals are embedded within specific contexts and scales. The path that brought me here has not been linear. Through long-term practice, I have come to recognize that many of my creative decisions stem from intuition. This intuition is often difficult to clearly articulate at the beginning of a project, yet it gradually reveals itself as the process unfolds and continues to guide the work forward. It is precisely this process of taking form through uncertainty that often leads to unexpected outcomes, and it is why I deeply value a flexible way of working that allows each project to determine the form it ultimately takes.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d definitely start with the Sweetwater red trail, because the natural landscape there feels completely different from the city and really shows another side of Georgia. When it comes to food, Korean food is a must in Atlanta. I’d take them to Hawangso Gopchang for grilled intestines, then to Sokongdong for a warm bowl of soft tofu stew—it’s super comforting. At night, I’d just wander around Midtown, grab a few cocktails, and slowly take in the city vibe. One morning, I’d wake up early to watch the sunrise at Simsme Chapel. It’s quiet and has a really special atmosphere. For something fun and not too serious, I’d go to Atlanta Wild Safari to feed the animals, and end the trip at Topgolf—eating, chatting, and casually hitting a few balls. That mix of experiences feels the most like Atlanta to me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give my shoutout to the people who have supported me during moments of uncertainty and transition, especially mentors, collaborators, and peers who encouraged exploration rather than certainty. Throughout different stages of my path, I’ve benefited from conversations with people who were willing to challenge my assumptions, offer honest feedback, and trust the process even when outcomes were unclear. Their support helped me understand that growth often happens in unstable moments, and that taking time to experiment is not a weakness but a necessary part of learning. I’m also grateful to the creative communities I’ve been part of, where shared curiosity, collaboration, and openness created space for risk-taking and reflection. These forms of support shaped not only my work, but also how I approach collaboration and creative problem-solving.

Website: https://chenjess.cargo.site/02

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milkomeda.j?igsh=YzA5Mzk4eWt5d2Q2&utm_source=qr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-chen0303

Image Credits
Green projection mapping images (collaboration with motion designer Boning Yu)
Images featuring colorful wigs and chairs (collaboration with motion designers Boning Yu and Sarah Zhao)