Note: this is the second part of a two-part interview with MxC. If you’re discovering this post now, make sure you check out the first part!
MxC Creative is a team of motion graphics artists based in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. With a background deeply rooted in both 3D and graphic design, they seek to translate their passion into beautiful visual imagery. MxC’s work includes VFX, music videos, live visuals, interactive art, and stage visuals.
Note: Since this piece was written out as part of a longer interview, we’ve kept it in Mel and Cuong’s point of view and voice. Enjoy!
Beginnings
We met in 2017 at IMC Group, the broadcaster of MTV Vietnam and Today TV, where we were both motion graphics designers. At that time, Mel was the leader, and I (Cuong) was the subordinate, so nothing’s changed [laughs].
MxC was originally created just to make artwork for fun back in 2018. However, after a while, we received many commissions and positive feedback. We realised then that we’d built something serious.
So at the end of 2019, we got married, and at the beginning of 2020, MxC Creative was incorporated as a company. It’s just a small homemade studio, but that can be really convenient. Keeping things small saves time and money usually spent travelling and renting. Thinking back to the time we worked at a company and had to deal with constant traffic jams just makes us sick.
MxC stands for “Mel x Cuong” but also “Motion x Creative.”
Initially, we focused on 2D and 3D motion graphics and animation but gradually evolved to work with VFX, music videos, stage visuals, and, in the future, new media art. We have a lot of relationships with other artists and studios that do projects together every year, so our development will continue to be just as varied if not more so.
2017–2018
We worked on a lot of in-house TV projects, like brand idents for MTV and Today TV and music shows like MTV Connection.
Because of this experience, our style is partly influenced by MTV. There’s an emphasis on creative freedom. We hope to convey a “no-rules” style, but we also want everything we make to be beautiful without carrying too much meaning. Beauty is the meaning.
After showcasing these projects on Behance, we got noticed more and more. We received project requests from foreign artists. These days, we often make lyrics videos for artists like Francis and visuals for nightlife.
2019–2020
Around this time, we met brother Tung Crazy Monkey, who gave us the opportunity to do big projects ranging from huge outdoor music shows to mapping projects that require many perspectives. We’re still immersed in this kind of work.
At this point, we were exposed to more and more technology, software, and real-time workflows. We tried Notch and Resolume, which made us think of different ways to uniquely combine all kinds of technology. We always want to achieve our desired results, but it’s also important to be fast and unique in order to keep up with the competition.
We also took part in the “36 Days of Type” challenge. After completing the project, we felt like we’d levelled up.
And we got more into VJing. This is our first official VJ show, Tiger Remix 2020.
You can see more of our stage work from this time here.
2021
During this time, the COVID pandemic took place, which was, of course, unfortunate and made things difficult.
On the other hand, it gave us ample time to learn other things, like TouchDesigner. With TouchDesigner, we focus on basic data processing of sensors, audio, and some video effects. We don’t use it for 3D rendering or particles because Notch handles that best of all and is much easier.
We also used TouchDesigner for the 36 Days of Type 2021, which you can read about here.
In addition, we also learned Houdini and combined Notch with Alembic to create more diverse things.
We were invited to join other teams at an event in Malaysia called Lights On, for which we worked on some projection mapping.
We also worked on TPBank’s MUSICNOLOGY project.
And we made this music video, which was outstanding to work on.
2022
After the challenges of previous years, 2022 seemed a little lighter and easier. We had a lot of work, of course, but we’d learned so much. With the experience we’d gained on previous shows, we were showcased on Notch’s website three times.
Last year, we also decided to try Unreal Engine 5. We still prefer Notch. It’s more comfortable and familiar. We’ve recently combined World Creator, EmberGen, and Fused X-Particles to make things more efficient.
Alongside many other artists, we VJ’d at The Visual Abstract City, a new “playground” created by Tung Crazy Monkey’s The Visual 084. Each artist had an entirely unique artistic direction, and we learned a lot from artists such as Thailand’s Pai Lactobacillus.
At the end of 2022, we also participated in the KOSMIK live concert, which was the 11th-anniversary show of the SpaceSpeakers Group. I (Cuong Nguyen) served as Real-Time VFX Lead and was responsible for handling live camera effects.
2023
We currently have many projects in progress, so stay tuned!
A special thanks to MxC for taking the time to sit down and talk to us about their journey as a studio. You can follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
