Behind the Motion, Jesseter Wang & Hannah Sun on Crafting Emotionally Resonant Animation

We’ve always appreciated platforms like the MUSE Creative Awards for recognizing thoughtful work across motion, design, and storytelling, so it felt like a natural place to share our projects.

Much of our work involves an ongoing process of experimentation, iteration, and refinement, making it especially rewarding when those efforts resonate with audiences beyond the immediate project. While our work has been recognized by various organizations over the years, receiving recognition from MUSE is particularly meaningful to us.

Professionally, awards like this help bring greater visibility to the type of work we are passionate about creating. On a personal level, it is encouraging to see projects that began as small ideas grow into something that connects with a wider audience.

We believe much of the work emerged from a shared interest in balancing strong visual atmosphere with clear communication. From the outset, we wanted to create something that felt emotionally engaging while maintaining a strong sense of structure, purpose, and clarity.

The process was highly collaborative and iterative. We spent considerable time refining the pacing, motion, and visual language to ensure every element felt cohesive and intentional rather than purely decorative.

We also feel the project reflects a broader shift taking place across the industry. Audiences are increasingly drawn to work that is not only visually polished, but also thoughtful and emotionally resonant. There is a growing emphasis on creating experiences that people can both understand and connect with on a deeper level.

A significant part of the process involved being intentional with pacing, motion, and composition. Rather than adding complexity for its own sake, we focused on developing a visual language that felt cohesive, purposeful, and accessible to audiences.

The project was also highly collaborative, allowing different perspectives and disciplines to inform the final result. That exchange of ideas helped shape a richer and more nuanced outcome than any one perspective could have achieved alone.

A significant part of the process involved learning how to simplify without losing personality, atmosphere, or emotional impact. We spent considerable time refining the pacing, visual structure, and overall rhythm of the piece until it felt more cohesive and intentional.

Overcoming that challenge ultimately came down to collaboration and iteration. Through continuous review, discussion, and refinement, we were able to align the work both visually and emotionally, ensuring that every element contributed to a unified experience.

Recognition like this is always encouraging because it brings greater visibility to the kind of work we are passionate about creating. We hope it continues to open opportunities to collaborate on projects that are thoughtful, ambitious, and creatively rewarding.

It is also especially meaningful for us as a team. Many of these projects involve extensive collaboration, experimentation, and refinement behind the scenes, so having that collective effort recognized is both gratifying and motivating.

One of the most meaningful responses was seeing audiences from different cultural backgrounds connect with the project and become curious about the traditions, symbolism, and atmosphere surrounding Lunar New Year.

That was particularly important to us because, beyond the visual experience, we hoped the piece would convey a sense of cultural warmth, celebration, and connection. It was rewarding to see those themes resonate with people, even if they had not grown up with the traditions represented in the work.

One thing we’ve learned is that meaningful work often comes from clarity of intention rather than the pursuit of visual impact alone. While technical skill is important, what makes a project memorable is a strong point of view and a clear understanding of what you want audiences to feel, experience, or take away from it.

It is also important to remain curious and continue exploring beyond your immediate field. Inspiration often comes from unexpected sources, whether film, music, culture, architecture, or everyday experiences. Over time, those influences help shape a more distinctive and personal creative voice.

The industry is evolving rapidly, particularly with the advancement of AI and emerging creative technologies. Many technical processes are becoming increasingly accessible and automated, creating new opportunities for experimentation and efficiency across creative disciplines.

At the same time, I believe qualities such as human emotion, lived experience, and cultural perspective remain essential to how people connect with creative work. These elements bring depth, meaning, and authenticity that technology alone cannot replicate.

As a result, we are increasingly interested in creating projects that feel human-centered and emotionally grounded—work that carries cultural memory, atmosphere, and emotional nuance in ways that feel personal, meaningful, and genuine.

I think many people assume awards are reserved for established studios or highly polished commercial projects. In reality, some of the most memorable and impactful work often emerges from personal ideas, independent explorations, and smaller creative experiments.

Competitions can also serve as valuable opportunities for reflection and growth. Beyond the results themselves, they encourage creatives to clarify their ideas, refine their presentation skills, and articulate the thinking behind their work. Even if recognition does not come immediately, there is still great value in sharing your perspective and engaging with a broader creative community.

I think one of the most valuable things in the creative industry is staying open—to collaboration, different perspectives, and diverse cultural experiences. Some of the strongest ideas come from people with completely different backgrounds finding a shared visual language together.

Definitely everyone who contributed to the project throughout the process. We would also dedicate it to the communities and cultural experiences that inspired the work itself.

A significant part of the project was about sharing a sense of cultural atmosphere and emotional familiarity, making it especially meaningful to see those ideas resonate with audiences from diverse backgrounds.

We would describe it as a celebration of cultural emotion expressed through motion and visual storytelling. At its core, the project was about creating a sense of connection and atmosphere that could resonate with audiences across different cultures and backgrounds.

We hope to continue exploring more immersive and experimental formats while collaborating across a wide range of creative disciplines. Above all, we want to keep creating work that feels meaningful, thoughtful, and culturally resonant.