Today we’d like to introduce you to Tung Tran.
Hi Tung, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I had the vague interest in taking art seriously in high school when I was having fun with Prismacolor pencils and cardboard paper as well as painting with acrylics. Entering college I was lost and on the fence with pursuing art, until the pandemic happened.
During that time, I discovered online art communities and met some aspiring artists as well as professionals that I drew with. It was a very motivating little community that had a huge impact on me as an artist. This was when I discovered digital art and making work for video games or animation. I was so motivated especially having peers to crit my work or even compete with. I also did a lot outside of this online space like tabling at conventions, local meetups. and college but that was definitely my biggest development.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not, I had the usual Asian parents being disappointed in me as well as wanting to disown me (It did happen for a period of time). Success and opportunities took time to come especially early in my career, I had many doubts as well as my family questioning me every day. For those struggles, I had to push forward and believe in myself.
Going into entertainment art without a proper education was like walking into the wild, what I chose to learn and do now is on me. It eventually worked out but there were numerous moments of trial and error; I got scammed by commissioners, my convention displays dropped and broke apart, I was not skilled enough for numerous projects that led to me stressing or breaking down.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an Illustrator/Concept artist that specializes in promotional work or assets for Video Games or Animation. I get picked up most often due to a distinct geometric/shapely art style for all my work, but I also do a lot of pixel art for games!
I’ve worked with many Indie games as well as the show Arcane on some promotional artwork on season 1. Being a freelance artist I do more than just games and shows, I’ve also worked with Esports teams, Lined and colored webtoons, and speaking at conferences regarding the art community.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Every creative journey demands risk, from the boldness of a single brushstroke to the life-altering choices that shape a career. It’s a cliché, perhaps, but I have to revisit my family’s influence. For 18 years, I was steered toward tech, with my uncle and others held up as role models. I’ll never forget the day I finally voiced my own path after high school. One by one, the room emptied—until it was just him and me. Standing my ground, declaring my choice, felt like stepping off a cliff. Because once I said it aloud, there was no turning back.
Every day as a creative is a leap into the unknown, I never know what today or tomorrow will bring. And yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ttt.gallery/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tung_t_tran/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tung_t_tran
