Hello, everyone! My name is Joyce Jiao and I recently graduated from Gnomon - School of Visual Effects. I’m thrilled to return to the MUSE Creative Awards, this time with my work “Spring Breeze Inside the Celtic Ruins,” which has won Platinum in the Animation category for 2024.

As you can see, I’m always creating new art and finding ways to improve my skills. That’s what being creative means to me—never giving up and always pushing forward. Being creative has become a part of my everyday life.

I'm working as a freelance CG Environment Artist and Architectural Visualization Artist. My work involves creating detailed, immersive digital environments that bring ideas and spaces to life, blending storytelling with technical skill.

Hopefully, soon I’ll be able to break back into the industry full-time and continue pushing creative boundaries with new projects.

For me, creativity is about exploring new ideas and pushing boundaries to express emotions and stories in unique ways. It's a constant journey of discovery and growth, where I embrace curiosity and view the world from different perspectives.

Creativity means never settling, always evolving, and staying open to new possibilities.

For me, a truly creative idea or design is one that challenges the norm and resonates on a deeper level. It brings fresh perspectives, unexpected elements, or emotions to the viewer, and feels intentional in its purpose.

A creative design should leave a lasting impression, sparking curiosity or reflection while pushing beyond what’s conventional or expected.

My creative process starts with immersing myself in the concept and gathering references that inspire me. I spend time understanding the story I want to tell and the emotions I want to evoke, whether it’s a historical piece or something surreal.

From there, I focus on designing the core elements that bring the scene to life—composition, lighting, and textures. I like to work iteratively, constantly refining details and exploring new angles to make sure the environment feels immersive and meaningful.

Balancing artistic vision with technical execution is key, so I aim to push boundaries while staying true to the concept’s intent.

My favorite part of the creative process is bringing everything together—the moment when lighting, textures, and details combine to make the scene come alive. It's incredibly rewarding to see the concept take on a life of its own, especially when the atmosphere and emotions I aimed to capture start resonating in the final piece.

This stage is where all the planning, exploration, and adjustments pay off, and I get to see the world I envisioned take shape in a way that feels immersive and impactful.

My creative style is rooted in a blend of realism and surrealism, often focusing on atmosphere and detail to evoke a dreamlike, almost ethereal quality. I’m drawn to themes of history and preservation, so my work often reflects a reverence for architecture and natural landscapes, weaving together a sense of nostalgia and timelessness.

Key characteristics of my style include the use of soft, natural lighting, intricate textures, and balanced compositions that invite viewers to explore and reflect. I aim to create spaces that feel both grounded and otherworldly, sparking a sense of wonder and contemplation.

Absolutely! My cultural heritage has a significant influence on my creative process. Growing up in China, surrounded by rich historical sites and traditional architecture, gave me a deep appreciation for storytelling through spaces and structures.

My work often reflects this reverence for history and the idea of preserving cultural memory. I’m drawn to creating environments that honor the past while blending it with surreal elements, which I think speaks to my background and the layers of cultural heritage that have shaped my perspective as an artist.

Thank you! Winning the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards is a huge honor, and it means a lot to me personally. It’s incredibly validating to have my work recognized on such a global stage and to know that others see the same value and vision in what I create.

This award motivates me to continue pushing creative boundaries and further develop my craft. It’s a proud moment that inspires me to keep growing as an artist and, hopefully, make even more meaningful contributions to the industry.

The winning work I entered is titled “Spring Breeze Inside the Celtic Ruins.” This project is all about immersing viewers in a mystical, atmospheric setting. My goal was to transport people to an ancient, forgotten ruin surrounded by lush, misty greenery, where light and shadow play across the scene to create a sense of mystery and serenity.

Using real-time 3D techniques, I focused on fine details like weathered stone, scattered moss, and ambient lighting to bring the environment to life. The soft, natural light casts a gentle glow, enhancing the ethereal quality of the space.

I chose this piece for the MUSE Creative Awards because it showcases my passion for visual storytelling and my commitment to creating richly detailed, evocative environments that invite viewers to explore and reflect.

The biggest challenge with “Spring Breeze Inside the Celtic Ruins” was achieving the right balance between realism and atmosphere. I wanted the scene to feel grounded and authentic, with intricate textures and details, while also conveying an ethereal, almost dreamlike quality.

Finding the right lighting to create this mood was especially challenging, as it needed to highlight the weathered stonework and lush greenery without overpowering the sense of mystery. Each element had to work together to maintain both realism and a surreal atmosphere, which required a lot of iteration and fine-tuning.

Winning an award has been incredibly validating and has boosted my confidence in my work and creative direction. It’s opened up new opportunities and has brought greater visibility to my practice, allowing me to connect with more people in the industry who resonate with my style.

This recognition motivates me to keep pushing my boundaries, experimenting with new techniques, and refining my skills. It has also helped me to establish credibility as a CG artist, which I hope will continue to create more pathways for future projects and collaborations.

I love the creative collaboration in this industry—working with people from diverse backgrounds always inspires me and pushes my own creativity further. The constant innovation and fast pace keep things exciting, allowing me to explore new tools and techniques.

Most of all, creating art lets me meet new people and make friends who share the same passion, which makes the journey even more rewarding.

China’s rich history and diverse cultural heritage give its creative industry a unique foundation. There’s a deep appreciation for traditional art forms alongside rapid growth in digital and entertainment sectors.

This blend of ancient influences with modern innovation creates a distinctive style, where creators can draw from both history and cutting-edge technology to produce something truly original.

In the next 5-10 years, I see the creative industry becoming even more immersive and interactive, with advancements in virtual reality, AI, and real-time 3D technology transforming how we create and experience art. These tools will allow artists to push boundaries and reach audiences in ways that feel deeply personal and engaging.

I also think we’ll see a stronger blend of traditional and digital techniques, as well as more global collaboration, making creative work more accessible and diverse than ever.

My advice would be to keep creating and experimenting, even if it feels challenging or outside your comfort zone. Don’t be afraid to push your boundaries and learn new tools, as the industry values versatility and innovation.

Focus on building a portfolio that reflects your unique style and passion, and share your work whenever possible—visibility is key. Finally, stay connected with others in the field; collaboration and feedback are invaluable as you grow.

I’d recommend starting with platforms like The Rookies, ArtStation, and Adobe Substance 3D for tutorials, inspiration, and industry insights. Online courses from sites like Gnomon Workshop, Think Tank, and CGMA are great for building foundational skills and learning advanced techniques. Joining communities or forums where artists share feedback and resources can also be incredibly helpful.

Lastly, constantly working on personal projects and challenging yourself to try new styles and tools is one of the best ways to grow as an artist.

Something I’ve never shared before is that, even though I spend so much time crafting digital worlds, I often dream of creating a physical art installation someday.

The idea of blending my digital skills with tangible, real-world elements to create a space people can walk through and experience in person is something that really excites me and is a quiet goal I hope to pursue one day.

The people who inspire me most are the brilliant minds in movies, literature, design, art, and science. They’re all storytellers, each making history in their own way. I’m fascinated by how they bring ideas to life, creating worlds and narratives that shape our understanding of the world.

Their dedication to storytelling—whether through visuals, words, or discoveries—continues to drive my passion to create meaningful work that resonates with others.

For me, the key to success is persistence and an openness to growth. Staying curious, pushing through challenges, and constantly learning have been essential to my journey. My advice is to embrace the process, keep refining your skills, and never shy away from trying something new.

Success comes from consistently moving forward, even if the steps are small. Every project is an opportunity to grow, so stay passionate and trust in your own creative path.

I’d just like to say thank you for this opportunity, and hopefully, I’ll be back soon with even better work to share. This recognition motivates me to keep pushing my boundaries, and I’m excited to see where my journey takes me next!