Meet Sarah Zhao | Motion Designer & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sarah Zhao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
For me, pursuing a creative career was never really a choice; it was a natural continuation of who I’ve been since childhood. I’ve always been obsessed with drawing, driven by a constant desire to invent cute characters and craft compelling stories. That foundational love for art led me to study Visual Communication Design for my undergrad. Later, I moved to Atlanta for my master’s, starting in Illustration before eventually transitioning into Motion Media Design.

That academic journey completely reshaped how I create. Moving between disciplines taught me how to bridge design composition and visual storytelling with motion thinking. Instead of boxing me into one specific field, it inspired me to take a more diverse, multimedia approach to my work. I chose this career because I thrive on exploration. I love the challenge of combining different techniques to develop my own distinct visual language, and bringing those dynamic visions to life is what makes my work so deeply fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets my art apart is its multi-dimensional nature. My work is like a polyhedron, shifting between 2D and 3D spaces, yet it is all tied together by a consistent signature of vibrant colors and authentic storytelling. My proudest achievement recently has been the official launch of my personal website. It is a true reflection of my diverse skills, showcasing everything from 2D and 3D motion design to animation pre-production, character performance, and experimental art.

I reached this professional milestone largely thanks to the rich curriculum at my university. The courses broadened my horizons and gave me a deep understanding of the motion design industry, from its roots to its limitless future. But the journey was far from easy. I faced many moments of doubt regarding my style and direction. I managed to push through those challenges with the help of my friends and by committing to relentless practice.

If there is one major lesson I have learned, it is that growth comes from doing. Life is a process of constant trial and error, and creating art requires action, not just overthinking. Every time I face a new project, it feels like a blank slate. But as I follow my aesthetic intuition and continue to learn, I always find my rhythm and bring my desired vision to life. Through my brand and my story, I want the world to see the charming vitality and the infinite creative possibilities that I pour into everything I make.

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.
If my best friend were visiting for a week, our first stop would definitely be the Georgia Aquarium to experience one of Atlanta’s most iconic landmarks.

After that, the rest of the trip would mostly be a culinary tour. I would take them to Kura Revolving Sushi for a fun atmosphere, but we would spend most of our time in Duluth because the food scene there is incredible and there are just too many amazing restaurants to choose from. To me, the most exciting part of Atlanta is this diverse food culture. We would spend our days exploring the city and our nights eating our way through Duluth, enjoying everything.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout absolutely goes to the creative community I’ve built here in Atlanta. In particular, I want to give a huge and heartfelt thank you to Florence Wu, Yusi Tao, and Hannah from the Animation program, along with my peers in Motion Media Design, Jess Chen and Boning Yu.

They have been by my side throughout my entire journey here. Not only did they help me discover the heart and soul of Atlanta, but they have also been instrumental in my artistic growth. Whenever I hit a creative roadblock, they are always there with brilliant insights and new ideas to push my work forward. In fact, a lot of the opportunities I’ve had recently, including getting to do this very interview, are directly because of their support and recommendations. I owe a huge part of my growth as a designer and all the joy I’ve found in exploring my craft to their constant encouragement.

Website: https://sarahzhao.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crowalker_/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-zhao-02199132a/