Tan Jiun Qi, 20 years, a rising talent in ‘Concept Art’ and winner of the ‘Rookie of the Year’ 2024 award, has distinguished himself in many ways, not only through his art book, ‘A reflection of trust’, but also in The One Academy’s (TOA) Hall of Fame, sweeping five awards, the most outstanding being the ‘Best of the Best Craft’.

He has been accepted into Birmingham City University, UK to complete his master of arts in feature film, having just completed his diploma at TOA with a major in illustration.

Being crowned ‘Rookie of the Year’ in ‘Concept Art’ at the Rookie Awards 2024, considered the world’s leading competition for aspiring creatives to showcase their best skills and abilities, with competitors from America, France, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Singapore, has added to Tan’s image as an upcoming talent.

In addition to the highly coveted ‘Best of the Best Craft’, Tan also garnered four accolades in the top of illustration category for character design, digital painting, environment Design, and matte painting in the TOA’s Hall of Fame.

As testament to his talent, Tan’s illustrated masterpieces have also been featured in the No.1 art magazine for digital artists, ImagineFX magazine, in their October 2024 issue.

$!Award winner and aspiring artist

“It still feels unreal to me, being a participant in the Rookie Awards has always been one of my academic goals. Winning this award is a huge pat on the back and means a lot to me as I begin my career as an artist,” said Tan.

As a culmination of his three years of study, Jiun Qi has published his first ever art book, ‘A reflection of trust’, which explores his journey toward discovery of his true potential as an artist. Covering 112 pages, the book delves into his thoughts and the various stages of his learning, featuring carefully curated traditional and digital art pieces, along with some of his most cherished works.

During the pre-order period, the book received an overwhelming response from the public, including many of his dedicated followers on Instagram (@jiunqi). The book will soon be available for purchase in major bookstores.

“This book offers a glimpse into my mind, and through it, I hope readers will experience the thrill of creation and connect with the philosophical ideas of world-building, just as I did while crafting these pieces,” added Tan, who launched the book at TOA recently.

$!Different styles in illustration have become Tan’s hallmark

According to Tan, he was around three years old when he first picked up the pencil to draw and illustrate, and being exposed to diverse cultural settings deepened his appreciation for various art styles, sparking his passion for concept art and illustration.

Being certain this was the path he wanted to pursue, Tan enrolled at TOA, immersing himself in days filled with doing what he loved most, illustration and drawing, alongside peers who share his enthusiasm for art.

“I hope my readers find inspiration in my art and are encouraged to explore different aspects of life and concept art within the industry,“ he added.

Tan has ambitions of joining the entertainment art industry in the near future, working alongside talented teams to construct wondrous imaginative worlds that captivate and inspire audiences. Through his journey and artwork, he hopes to inspire young artists to follow their passions and chase their dreams.

“I believe I still have a long way to go before I am considered a professional in this field,” said Tan.

“I take the opportunity to thank my family for their unwavering support and love for my work, also grateful to my lecturers for their guidance, their passion for teaching art inspires and fuels my drive to create good art too,” he added.