VJ expresses herself by creating moving eye candy
Inka Kendzia is a motion designer, projection artist and visual director
What do you do?
I am self-employed or, rather, a freelancer. My title and job description are both hard to keep in one box. Essentially, I am a visual artist with a varied set of self-taught skills, allowing me to flow between various industries. At the moment, my e-mail signature reads: animation director, projection artist, motion designer, VJ (video jockey).
What is a visual director?
In the film industry, this would be someone primarily concerned with the visual aesthetic of a film rather than directing performance. This relates to me in the sense that all my various jobs allow me to visually express myself. I love creating eye candy.
As a VJ in a live performance this would involve me creating eye-catching visuals from festivalgoers or audiences at a concert, all the way down to small, intimate gigs. I mix visuals live to whatever musical style is playing, and usually the music defines the aesthetic with which I can mix various clips live to interpret the mood.
When expressing myself through motion design and animation directing, I design titles and composite imagery for feature films and documentaries. The latter especially excites me as I feel that storytelling is the most important element.
How did you end up doing this type of work?
It was a meandering journey from always loving art and painting to applying the principles of art theory to static design. I became a self-taught designer and art director in graphic design and advertising, which then evolved into motion design when I moved to Cape Town to become an assistant. I later became a fully-fledged film editor for commercials and music videos. The principles of designing a single frame apply to moving frames too. I have always dived in with all my heart and have been lucky to have had supportive employers and lovely humans along the way.
What are some of the challenges you have to deal with that make your job stressful?
As with any job, changing timelines and expectations affect the pressure. I try to approach any challenge with a calm headspace. Playing back a show that is televised or showing a piece to an audience is naturally stressful, purely because of the nature of the live experience, the vulnerability of personal expression and reliance on tech.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
I was always interested in painting and drawing, and wished to be an artist in some form or other. I believe as artists we have a responsibility towards society to heal, inspire, point out the pains and constraints, inspire change and move forward.
What do you find most meaningful about the work you do?
I love collaborations and teamwork. I feel that beyond the personal expression of art in all its forms, human connection is the most important. All of us are in this together to inspire each other and become better people, beyond becoming better artists or performers or designers. I am grateful I get to connect with many different people from all over the world and we all create something fabulous and, hopefully, inspire each other.