Two of The One Academy’s accomplished alumni, Jared Lee, filmmaker and founder of Grim Film, and Johnson Ting, concept artist and founder of Bear Down Studios, returned to the college for an inspiring session titled “Creator Series: From Vision to Creation”. The duo shared their creative journeys – filled with passion, challenges, and purpose – offering students valuable insights into what it truly means to pursue one’s vision.
For filmmaker Jared Lee, the path to discovering his purpose was anything but straightforward. Like many young dreamers, Jared often spent time lost in his imagination, doodling in his exercise books and sometimes getting reprimanded for it. He spent two years cutting and washing hair following his mother’s footsteps as a hairdresser but realised it was not for him. “I had to think of something that could put food on the table. I thought about what I liked – and I realised I like telling stories.” Armed with a camcorder and a few friends, Jared began making short films. Winning a small prize for one of his early works gave him a powerful affirmation that this was what he was meant to do. His viral short film The Long Distance Relationship (2013) amassed 700,000 views in its first week – and has now surpassed 3 million. That success led to the founding of Grim Film, a creative agency now producing TV commercials, short films, and even a full-length movie scheduled for release by the end of the year. Despite the growing success, he found himself drifting. “At one point, my brain was so conditioned to tell stories that relate to people – wondering if they’d go viral, if they’d get more views. But I realised what truly matters is telling stories that matter to me. As artists, we have to put a bit of ourselves in our art. Otherwise, why make art at all?” He reminded students that art’s greatest power lies not in popularity, but in authenticity. “It’s not about pleasing the whole world. It’s about reaching the people who see things the way you do. When your story carries a deeper meaning, it can touch lives.”
Concept artist Johnson Ting began his journey with two of the biggest studios in the country – Lemon Sky Studios and Passion Republic, before spending a decade freelancing for renowned game studios worldwide. Today, he is the founder of Bear Down Studios, a Malaysia-based concept art studio known for its work-life balance and artist-first philosophy. A sci-fi enthusiast at heart, Johnson created his own IP, Neo Japan, which gained international attention for its intricate designs and futuristic world-building. His portfolio includes work on major titles like Destiny 2, Call of Duty, and VALORANT. But beyond artistic success, his mission is deeply personal – to reshape Malaysia’s creative industry into a healthier, more sustainable space. “When I founded Bear Down Studios, I promised myself it wouldn’t become a ‘sweatshop’. It was a goal of mine to build an environment where people feel safe and happy being who they are and working on what they love.” Even as a college student, Ting had already envisioned creating such a space. His dream was to establish a Malaysian studio that could compete internationally – proving that local talents do not have to go abroad for career opportunities to work on world-class projects. He also emphasized the importance of mastering fundamentals over relying on shortcuts or tools: “AI won’t change much if you already have strong foundations – anatomy, design sense, visual library. These are what help you use tools better, not replace your creativity.”
Both Jared Lee and Johnson Ting’s journeys are testaments to resilience, purpose, and authenticity. Jared’s message reminds students to create with meaning, while Johnson’s story proves that greatness can be built from anywhere – with passion, discipline, and commitment. Their paths may differ, but their core belief aligns: creative success is not just about skill, fame, or recognition – it’s about staying true to one’s vision, working with integrity, and building something that lasts.
