We had the good fortune of connecting with Susanna TUNG and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Susanna, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I ‘m from Taiwan and am a motion designer that recently graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design. In college, I studied at a medical school. I have never thought that I would become someone working in the artistic field. The turning point happened when I took a video editing and animation course in my senior year of college. I figured the best way to tell a story is through make visuals dynamic. Concept and design is very important, so is technical skills. That’s where my medical background comes into help. It allows me to optimize the learning process more systematically, analyze ways to study the software and also to convey medical knowledge using a fun and creative way.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I try to capture daily moments in my artwork. It is a represent of my thoughts, life experiences, emotions, and perspective of how I view the world. I guess that’s what differentiates me from the others. Everyone each has their own unique story to tell and we all are different from each other.
Changing my career path from a dietician to a motion designer was not easy. I am lucky to have met a lot of people along the way who inspired and helped me a lot. My Taiwanese friends I met at graduate school continuously gave me emotional support when I’m self-doubting about my choice. The professors I met at school gave me a lot of guidance and knowledge, especially professor Minho Shin. Without them, I couldn’t have persisted on this road of becoming a professional artist.
I would tell people that are in a similar situation to believe in what you choose to do. Others might doubt your choice, but believe in yourself and continue to practice, learn, you will improve and become the best.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Forsyth park is definitely the first place to go. We can spend a chill afternoon just sitting there, chatting, have a picnic, and just enjoy the sun. The park is the place I go most often to relieve stress while studying at SCAD. Then, we could walk downtown to shop in vintage shops. There are lots of unique vintage clothes in those small shops, and the houses of Savannah are so beautiful- gives off an Europe vibe. On a separate day, we could drive to Hilton Head Island. The beach there is AMAZING. I c spend two days just lying on the beach. As for restaurant, I would recommend Bella Napoli Italian Bistro. They serve the best Italian food in Savannah. The fettuccine alle vongole is a must order. On the weekends, we can go to water witch tiki bar for a tasty drink and just enjoy the lively atmosphere there.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am extremely thankful to all the peers I have met at Savannah College of Art and Design during my masters study, especially all my Taiwanese friends, we went through everything together. Without their help, I couldn’t have become who I am today. I’ve learned so much both about professional skills and life values from them. I am also grateful to all the professors I have met at school. The crossover from medical school to artistic field wasn’t easy. They delivered design knowledge and technical skills which helped me a lot to complete a successful crossover.
Website: susannatung.com
Instagram: sus.tung