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Painting my Dreams: Help Fund my Art Journey to Japan!

Tina Lam Vuong Start Date: Nov 16, 2024 - End Date: May 15, 2025
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Osaka, Japan
  • Hirakata, Osaka, Japan

My Travel Story

by: Tina Lam Vuong Start Date: Nov 16, 2024 - End Date: May 15, 2025
  • Cultural Exchange
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Study/Degree Abroad
I am a graphic design student and got accepted into Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan! I will be studying abroad in the upcoming year of 2025 until the end of the school year. 

Growing up, I found much of my inspiration in Japanese culture, especially through reading manga and watching anime. As a child, when things were difficult at home, I would immerse myself in Japanese comic books to escape from my surroundings. The stories transported me to another world and helped me through my childhood. I daydreamed about being rescued by a prince or traveling through time with a talking blue cat. Today, I aim to bring the same comfort and joy to others through my art. This personal connection to Japanese media has been a driving force behind my artistic journey, shaping both my passion and career goals.

When I chose to attend PSU, it was a practical decision to save money while pursuing my degree. At the time, I thought I had to leave behind my love for 2D art. As technology advanced, many people told me that majoring in Art Practice wouldn’t lead to a successful career after graduation. Because of that, I decided to switch to Graphic Design, where I could still use my artistic skills while learning how to apply them in a more modern, digital context. 

Although I no longer take studio art classes, I have continued to evolve my craft through graphic design studies at PSU. I have had the opportunity to learn how to critique and create short animations, infographics, movie posters, and various other projects. I’ve used these skills to create and sell my work, taking on freelance projects such as tattoo and poster designs, along with many smaller projects.

One of my goals is to create my own webcomic series and work in an animation or art studio, turning my imagination into reality. During the spring semester of 2023, I took a course on “The History of Animation”, which reignited my passion for the subject. The class showed me how Japanese and American animation have influenced one another, but I especially appreciated Japan’s dedication to 2D animation, which has largely been replaced by 3D in the United States. This exploration gave me valuable insights into the evolution of techniques and visual storytelling across cultures.

Now, I hope to learn directly from the source that has shaped my artistic vision. I’m particularly eager to gain a deeper understanding of Japanese aesthetics, culture, and society through design. Having already completed three terms of Japanese at PSU, I look forward to using the language in real-life situations to improve my communication skills and gain fluency.

  • Osaka, Japan
  • Hirakata, Osaka, Japan

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