FML Artist Spotlight: Ted Chin of TedsLittleDream

“I started using photography and Photoshop to daydream and escape reality.”

Ted Chin, known professionally as TedsLittleDream, is a San Francisco-based surrealist artist and photographer whose dreamlike digital collages blur the line between fantasy, nature, and subconscious storytelling. With over nine years of experience in the creative industry, Chin has built a multifaceted career as an artist, speaker, and educator, collaborating with global brands including Apple, Adobe, Meta, Warner Bros., and the Grammy Awards. In 2021, his visionary approach to digital surrealism earned him the distinction of being the Photoshop 2021 cover artist, solidifying his place as a leading voice in contemporary digital art.

Through layered compositions and imaginative narratives, TedsLittleDream invites viewers into alternate worlds, spaces where guardians roam, landscapes breathe, and reality bends just enough to feel magical. We sat down with Ted Chin to explore the origins of his practice, his creative process, and the dreams guiding his next chapter.

FML: How did the idea of TedsLittleDream first take shape, and what does that name represent for you today?
TC: Ted’s Little Dream started back in grad school. I couldn’t really travel and didn’t have the time or budget, and I was also looking for a way to create anywhere I was with limited access to a studio. So I started using photography and Photoshop to daydream and escape reality. From there, I slowly got involved with surrealism and fantasy.

FML: What drew you to surrealism as a way to express your imagination rather than more traditional photography?
TC: I think it’s more about pushing the boundaries of storytelling. Traditional photography has its own beautiful way of telling a story, but for me, I love to challenge reality, explore the subconscious, and create “magic” with photos, leaning a bit toward digital painting and illustration.

FML: Your work often blends fantasy and nature. What is it about the natural world that fuels your creativity?
TC: My work can be described as a fantasy world with a touch of surrealism, sometimes mixed with elements of nature. I’m heavily inspired by nature, folklore, and mythology. A lot of the time, you’ll find a guardian in my world that protects the area, with the main character visiting their world. As long as you respect them, no harm will be caused.

FML: How did your early life or upbringing influence the dreamlike themes that appear in your art?
TC: I think we can all agree that Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki films have had a huge impact on many of us, especially if you grew up with that culture. Anime, manga, books, and animated films were a big inspiration for me growing up. You can often find references to them in my art.

FML: Can you describe your creative process from concept to final composite?
TC: Personal experiences, elements around me, and different stories inspire me. I usually start with a concept, then find photos to composite in Photoshop. Other times, I’ll see a photo that inspires me to create something around it.

FML: How much planning goes into your pieces versus allowing intuition to guide you?
TC: I would say half and half!

FML: What technical or creative skills took the longest for you to truly master?
TC: Lighting and perspective. Even now, I’m still learning and trying to master lighting.

FML: Was there a specific moment when you realized you could pursue art as a full-time career?
TC: I think I always wanted to be a full-time artist, so it really came down to figuring out how to make it work, along with learning about marketing and pitching ideas, etc.

FML: How did being selected as the Photoshop 2021 cover artist impact your confidence or direction as an artist?
TC: It was definitely a dream-come-true moment and a great boost to my credentials, almost like a strong portfolio piece. It’s often a great icebreaker or introduction to my work, and it helps show why I’m an expert in what I do.

FML: What was the vision behind the Photoshop cover artwork, and what did that project mean to you personally?
TC: The vision was to daydream, use your imagination, and have fun. Originally, when I created version one, it took me forever to come up with the idea. I don’t think I had seen a cloud-body flamingo concept mixed with nature scenes like that before, so I was really excited to finally come up with the idea and make it work.

FML: How has working with brands like Apple, Adobe, and the Grammy Awards shaped the way you approach storytelling?
TC: Working with bigger teams for the first time really adjusted the way I approach projects. It’s always exciting because there’s always more to learn from these types of collaborations.

FML: What challenges come with balancing commercial work while staying true to your personal artistic voice?
TC: Sometimes working on commercial projects pushes me to figure out how to tell their story in my voice while keeping their identity without losing my own. So far, I’ve been lucky enough to balance both.

FML: As an educator and speaker, what lessons do you emphasize most to emerging artists?
TC: I always encourage them to try everything, because it’s all about exploring, learning, and finding yourself.

FML: How do you stay inspired after nearly a decade in the creative industry?
TC: Finding new artists, discovering new work, learning what’s trending sometimes, exploring other art categories, and revisiting old masters’ work.

FML: What role does failure or experimentation play in your creative growth?
TC: Failure is great, because it means you know what you really want and you’re getting closer to it. Experimentation helps push yourself to the next level and explore the unknown.

FML: Is there a piece in your portfolio that feels especially personal or transformative for you?
TC: A Cat’s Adventure, where I explored the perspective that maybe animals daydream like we do.

FML: What advice would you give artists who are just beginning to explore digital collage and surrealism?
TC: Figure out your own voice while experimenting with style. Ask yourself what kind of story you want to tell.

FML: Looking ahead, what creative dreams or directions are you most excited to explore next?
TC: Hopefully more billboard, magazine, or gallery features, and even a photo book.

Ted Chin’s #FMLFaves

Favorite movie : Jurassic Park

Favorite song right now : “Upside Down” by Diana Ross

This season’s must-have: Hot chocolate

Current obsession: Medieval armor

Images Courtesy of TedsLittleDream