Meet Thirada Kangwankiattichai, also known as Tida, a talented Thai Layout Artist at Walt Disney Animation Studios. Once an avid animation fan, she has turned her passion into a career, contributing to the stunning visuals and captivating story in Disney’s Moana 2.
From an animation fan to an animator
Tida, born and raised in Bangkok, spent a childhood much like many other kids who loved watching animated films. Among her favorites were Disney’s iconic storytelling. “I was a kid who loved drawing and watching movies. I remember saving up money in high school to buy so many movie CDs that my cabinet at home was completely full,” she fondly recalled.
She added, “But I never expected to grow up pursuing a career in animation.” Her path to animation did not begin to take shape until after she graduated from Nawaminthrachinuthit Bodindecha School and earned a bachelor’s degree in management engineering and logistics from Silpakorn University. When Tida moved to Vancouver, Canada, her inspiration was ignited. “It was then that I realized animation could be a viable career, and that realization sparked the inspiration to start taking it seriously,” she shared about the beginning of her journey.
Once Tida discovered her true path, she pursued it with determination. In 2014, Tida started studying 3D animation and visual effects at Vancouver Film School. Her dreams came true when she joined the Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2023 as a Layout Artist. Tida views animation as a unique blend of art, technology, and storytelling, and with her creativity, it became the perfect medium to express her passions.
Growing up with a love for Disney
When asked if she considered herself a die-hard Disney fan, Tida expressed her deep appreciation for the magical combination of musical elements and adventurous storylines that make Disney films both enjoyable and timeless. She shared, “No matter how old I am, I can always relate to the stories.” This enduring connection to Disney’s animated films inspired her dream of one day becoming a part of the company.
Tida was also drawn to Disney’s legacy in animation, believing that the company’s enduring success in the industry is a testament to the many talented individuals working behind the scenes. Collaborating with amazing talents at the Walt Disney Animation Studios, she hopes to create timelines classics that can inspire the future generation.
Layout Artist – A crucial role in animation
The role of a Layout Artist may not be widely known, but within the animation industry, it is recognized as a vital position that help keep animated films engaging and visually realistic. As a Layout Artist, Tida says, “We do it all. You can say this right away because, although the main responsibilities are to set camera angles and determine how the camera moves to capture the characters in a scene, we also animate the characters, arrange the lighting, and add effects. It is to convey the overall story and align it with the storytelling objectives of that sequence as much as possible.”
This role requires collaboration with various departments throughout the animation process. “The responsibilities of the Layout Artist is unique and expansive,” she emphasized, “because most other departments in the animation industry tend to be more specialized or focused on specific areas of expertise.”
The challenges of working on Disney’s Moana 2
Moana 2 is the first animated film that Tida has worked on with Disney, and she describes it as quite a challenge. “The duration we had to work with and the quality we were striving for were the biggest challenges in creating Moana 2 because we wanted to make it the best. We had to be very meticulous, searching for camera angles that fit the storytelling and kept the audience engaged. Ultimately, we needed to use as many camera angles as possible to find the best ones for the film.”
The main techniques used in the film include ensuring the proportions of the characters are clear, creating beautiful shapes, and employing the Enhance Depth technique. This technique arranges elements within a scene for balanced composition, ensuring each scene is beautifully crafted.
Additionally, the camera work requires great attention to detail. Every movement must have purpose and meaning to effectively communicate with the audience, especially in the action scenes. The camera movement should flow seamlessly with the characters—never too still to the point of becoming boring, and never too complex to the point of causing discomfort for the audience. Achieving a beautiful and engaging result on the big screen is no simple task.
Moana 2 as a source of pride for Tida
“Actually, ‘Moana’ or ‘Moana, the legendary adventure of the South Sea Islands’ is my favorite animated film because it tells the story of a princess while featuring lots of action and adventure, which is really fun for us. It also has catchy songs! I’m glad to be a part of Moana 2, and I hope everyone will enjoy Moana’s new adventure in this sequel,” Tida shared.
She adds that if anyone has enjoyed Moana: The Legendary Adventure of the South Sea Islands, they definitely can’t miss Disney’s Moana 2. The sequel is even more exciting, featuring not only Moana and Maui, but also new characters who will join the adventure on a more challenging mission. And, of course, it comes with beautiful songs that she predicts will be hits for many months. Moana fans and animation lovers, get your tickets to experience the fun, stunning visuals, and unforgettable music.
Finally, when asked about her pride in her latest work, Tida said, “I hope that by contributing to Moana 2, more people in Thailand will recognize and support local animators. The film is a great source of pride for me,” concluded Tida, the only Thai Layout Artist in Disney’s Moana 2.
“It warms my heart to see creative talents from Southeast Asia contributing to Disney’s century of animated classics that are celebrated worldwide. I hope our fans in Thailand feel proud to see an animator of Thai heritage bringing Moana and Maui’s adventures across the far seas to life through their unique perspective. Like Thirada Kangwankiattichai, we hope to inspire future storytellers, animators, and young creators in Thailand to pursue careers in animation,” said Vineet Puri, General Manager and Vice President, Disney Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.”
Set sail on an adventure to the far seas of Oceania with Moana and her crew in Disney’s Moana 2, available in theatres today.
*Thirada Kangwankiattichai*
Thirada Kangwankiattichai, (Layout Artist) joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2023 as a layout artist on “Moana 2,” placing the cameras and determining camera movement for the cinematography of the film. Growing up in Bangkok, Thailand, she loved photography and drawing inspired by her movie collection. Kangwankiattichai attended Nawaminthrachinuthit Bodindecha School before studying logistic engineering at Silpakorn University. She then moved to Vancouver, Canada in 2014 to attend Vancouver Film School to study 3D animation and visual effects. Kangwankiattichai loves animation and its ability to make imagination come alive. “Moana 2” is her first Disney credit.
