Yuqun Huang on the Nostalgic Magic Behind “Sticks (2025)”

This project began as a conceptual exploration for a television series, and it has always held a special place in my heart. Even though it was never produced, I felt it captured a distinctive tone — playful, character-driven, and rooted in Americana.

Submitting it to MUSE was a way of giving that creative exploration its own life and recognition.

The idea was to visualize a character’s life as a physical gameboard — full of turns, risks, and unpredictable outcomes. I wanted to reflect the humor and fragility of ambition through the design itself.

In today’s industry, where storytelling can be fast and glossy, I think this piece stands for something more tactile and human — design that invites people to slow down and look closer.

I think it’s the tone. It balances wit with sincerity — something that’s easy to feel but hard to express visually. The hand-painted textures and miniature tabletop feel bring warmth to the story, while the lighting gives it energy and life. It’s whimsical, but grounded in real emotion.

One challenge was finding the right balance between illustrative and cinematic. I wanted the board to feel handcrafted, yet alive through motion. I built everything from scratch in 3D, experimenting with materials, lighting, and camera rhythm until the world felt cohesive. It became a process of refining subtle details — a lesson in patience and intuition.

For me, this recognition encouraged me to keep developing original visual worlds and to trust my instincts more deeply. I also hope it opens doors to collaborate on projects that share this same balance of narrative depth and visual playfulness.

The response has been warm and encouraging. Many people have mentioned how nostalgic and cinematic it feels — like watching a childhood board game come to life. That reaction alone makes all the late nights worth it.

Keep exploring ideas even when they’re not for a client. Some of the most meaningful work begins with curiosity rather than commission. Treat every experiment as a story you’re telling, not just a design exercise. Authenticity always resonates more than perfection.

I think we’re in a fascinating era where tools are becoming more powerful, yet storytelling remains what truly connects people. I want to keep working at the intersection of cinematic design and emotion — using motion graphics not just for style, but for meaning.

Start small, and treat it as part of your growth rather than a judgment. Awards can act as a mirror — helping you see your work from a new perspective.

Be generous — with your knowledge, your curiosity, and your encouragement. The more we share, the more creative the community becomes.

I’m grateful to the creative mentors and collaborators who inspired me throughout this process — their feedback and imagination shaped the piece in ways I couldn’t have achieved alone. This recognition belongs as much to those conversations as to the final frames.

A whimsical, handcrafted journey through the highs and lows of ambition — told as if life itself were a game of chance.

I’m currently developing a series of personal projects that explore visual storytelling through dreamlike and nostalgic worlds. Each one is an experiment in how design can evoke memory and feeling, and I’m excited to see where that exploration leads next.