Artwork by Gonzalo Janer

Museum of Chinese in America (“MOCA”) and Crazy Talented Asians & Friends (“CTAF”) will present the CTAF Design and Animation Portfolio Review Workshop on Saturday March 29th, 2025 at 2 PM, featuring a panel discussion on breaking into the entertainment and advertising industries, and an opportunity for a one on one reel review by volunteer professional animation and VFX artists in the New York region. Due to limited space, pre-registration at Eventbrite is required on a first come first serve basis.

• More about the workshop

  Design and animation are integral for effective communication across all industries, from entertainment and advertising to media and beyond. There are many talented and highly skilled Asian American artists that contribute significantly to these fields, and this workshop offers a unique opportunity for students to learn from their expertise.

  A group of professional Asian American artists and their friends are generously volunteering their time on March 29th to share their experiences and provide personalized reel reviews, offering valuable insights into applying design and animation skills in the commercial world.

  The workshop will start with a 30-minute panel discussion on breaking into the advertising and entertainment industries, to be followed by a one-on-one review session of each participant’s portfolio reel.

• Mentors

  CTAF’s workshop, led by Gonzalo Janer, founder of Punchy Motion, includes a panel of industry experts who represent a broad spectrum of professional animation and visual arts experience:

  • Jae Bae has over a decade of experience in conceptualizing, designing, creating motion graphics and animated films, Jae specializes in communicating with audiences through creative storytelling. In her current role at Patreon as a lead motion designer, she provides innovative solutions for product design, marketing campaigns, and brand design challenges.

  • Chun-Yao Chang is a VFX compositor, matte painter, environment artist at Framestore and an Adjunct Instructor at Montclair State University. He has years of experience working in the film and commercial industry. Some of the TV shows he worked on include AMC's "The Walking Dead," Apple TV's "Invasion," Netflix's "The Perfect Couple," Amazon Prime's "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." and much more. Chang specializes in digitally visualizing fantasy stories through his artistic eyes, CG and compositing skills. He is deeply passionate about exploring diverse environments, cultures, and architectural styles.

  • Ethan Chang is an experienced visual effects artist specializing in advertising postproduction. With nearly a decade of industry expertise, he excels in high-end compositing and finishing as a Flame artist at Framestore. Known for his keen eye for detail and dedication to crafting stunning visuals, he brings both creativity and precision to every project.

  • Chris Colby is an accomplished artist in Manhattan and founder of BadIdea Agency. He is known for his versatility and creative prowess. With a diverse background in artistry, Chris has consistently delivered outstanding work for a variety of clients. He has honed his craft through collaborations with renowned studios and brands, including Imaginary Forces, Nickelodeon, Fox, Fuse Media, IBM, Google, We Are Shadow, e.l.f., Kate Spade, among others. He has a great passion for animation and film as mediums for storytelling and artistic exploration.

  • Jennah Park is a 3D/2D motion designer based in New York City, recognized for creating enchanting stories with playful graphics and characters. As an artist, she loves to work with cute, magical visuals and craft playful narratives that bring positive energy to her audience. Jennah currently works at Google as a motion designer and has worked as an animator for Nickelodeon, contributing to freelance projects in both New York and Seoul while passionately pursuing her filmmaking aspirations in the animation industry.

  • Nicolas Manrique is an Emmy-nominated senior motion designer, currently working as Principal of motion graphics at Rockstar Games in New York City. He has worked in renowned studios both nationally and internationally, like Diptongo Media Group, Klip Collective, Nickelodeon, and Adolescent NYC. His client work includes TEDx, VH1,FX, Bravo TV, Sesame Street, Oxygen, and CNBC among others. At Nickelodeon he received an Emmy nomination for the show Kids Pick The President in 2016. Currently, Nicolas Manrique and his team focus on game trailers, motion graphics for social media, in-game animation, and other forms of animation for the marketing department at Rockstar Games.

  • Jui Talukder is an illustrator and 2D artist specializing in narrative-driven illustration and animation. She's worked with prominent clients like Best Buy, PBS, Scholastic, Hollywood Reporter to name a few. She is represented by IllustrationX, a global agency connecting artists with diverse industries.

  • Muhan Yao is a 2D/3D motion designer who worked with Nickelodeon and Google. She also holds a degree in chemical engineering. Her experience and background has allowed her to blend technology with creativity and user engagement.

• General Information

  Pre-registration: Required on Eventbrite (Limited spots available)

  Entrance fee: $5 (payable to MOCA at its ticket office in person)

“MOCA is proud to support the emerging artists in the community. This event aligns with our mission of illuminating and celebrating the rich contributions of our community and to inspire and connect all Americans. In collaboration with CTAF, we are thrilled to provide this workshop, connecting generations of design and animation artists.”

— Yifan Wu, Senior Director of Operations and Events at MOCA