When Ian Ng first watched Pixar’s Toy Story as a child, he was immediately enamored by how different it was from other cartoons at the time. That early fascination with bringing imagination to life in three dimensions has now come full circle in Ian’s current role as a senior 3D artist at Mighty Jaxx, where he helps transform beloved characters into tangible, collectible art pieces.
Ian’s training as an artist began at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, where he studied visual effects in film and media. During his time in the army, he heard about DigiPen (Singapore) from a friend, and the Institute’s BFA in Digital Art and Animation resonated with him. Seeing the portfolio of current students further cemented his decision to join the program, as his interests aligned with what they were creating.
Toward the end of his schooling days, Ian joined Mighty Jaxx as a 3D intern and eventually converted to a full-time 3D artist. Three years later, he was promoted to his current role as a senior 3D artist. Mighty Jaxx is a Singapore-based award-winning studio that collaborates with some of the world’s biggest pop culture IPs to create collectible art figurines and toys. Ian’s role blends creativity, skill, and a healthy dose of childhood nostalgia, especially since many of the projects he works on feature iconic characters that millennial cartoon fans will instantly recognize.
Ian explains that his day-to-day work at Mighty Jaxx involves turning 2D concepts into high-quality 3D models suitable for both visualization and production. “The 3D artist’s main role is to digitally build 3D models that encapsulate the likeness and feel of the 2D concepts, making them suitable for 3D printing,” he says. Beyond digital modeling, Ian and his team also conduct in-house 3D test prints to create tangible prototypes before sending the final designs to production factories. This ensures that every piece looks and feels just right.
For Ian, one of the best parts of working at Mighty Jaxx is the camaraderie. “We all share a common goal of wanting to deliver a great product,” he says. “We give each other helpful feedback and encouragement — and that’s something I really look for in a team.” Ian also finds it rewarding when he gets to witness the culmination of his efforts in customer satisfaction. “There’s a great feeling of seeing a product launch and how people actually enjoy the toys we make,” Ian shares. And of course, working at Mighty Jaxx also comes with some fun perks, such as complimentary passes to Singapore Comic Con every year.
As with any creative profession, balancing artistic vision and clients’ expectations are part and parcel of the job. “Artists at any level will experience the constant back and forth with ideas and feedback from clients and managers,” Ian says. To manage this, Ian typically takes a step back to observe and consider if the changes are necessary and if they will truly enhance the product. Ian adds that it’s important to understand every client’s concerns and feedback to find middle ground, since the released products reflect not only the client’s image but his own company’s as well. Learning to respond constructively to feedback and adapting to change are values that Ian picked up during his time in school. Additionally, Ian credits his time at DigiPen (Singapore) for instilling in him a versatile problem-solving mindset. “I’ve learned that there are multiple solutions to every challenge,” Ian reflects. “Use every tool to solve and assist your work and don’t only stick to what you know.”
Looking ahead, Ian is focused on refining his craft and stepping up in leadership opportunities whenever the need arises. For aspiring 3D artists, he offers a few words of wisdom. “Never be complacent in your art as there is always room for improvement, but at the same time, done is better than perfect,” he quips. He also stresses the importance of being adaptable and accepting technology instead of fearing it, especially with the rise of generative AI. “Technologies and software are always improving, and AI can be used as a guide or template while letting artists focus on design and creation,” he says. “As long as we are willing to grow, I think there’s room for us to thrive alongside these new tools.”