For Jamal W Kheira, drawing has always been a way to create and explore ideas. A Palestinian refugee living in Indonesia, Jamal had spent four years developing his skills as an artist, largely through self-directed practice, before he began exploring animation.
Animation introduced him to a new creative field, and to possibilities he had not previously considered. In November 2023, Jamal joined an animation course created by CWS Japan. The course ran until February 2024 and combined practical learning with mentorship from an experienced animation industry professional who had worked on anime production.
For Jamal, the experience was an introduction to something he had not known much about before: the fundamentals of animation.
The course brought together mentorship, learning materials, tools, and practical exercises. Rather than simply learning a new technique, Jamal was able to build on the creative skills he already had and begin exploring how they could translate into professional work.
The opportunity continued beyond the training itself. After completing the course, participants received opportunities to work on animation projects. Jamal now works mostly remotely as an animator, taking on projects that vary in scope and complexity.
The work can be challenging, he said, but it is also rewarding.
His creative practice extends beyond animation. One of his exhibited artworks, Solid Snake, combined different mediums, including photography, ink drawing, and digital work. Inspired by Metal Gear Solid, the piece reflects Jamal’s interest in experimenting with visual styles and techniques while continuing to develop his own artistic practice.
For Jamal, learning is an ongoing process. The animation course did not replace the skills he had already built. Instead, it gave him an opportunity to expand them—to move from drawing into animation and from learning into professional experience.
His ambitions extend further still. Jamal’s long-term dream is to become an art director, particularly in the game industry. He hopes to contribute to the visual direction of a project, including world-building and character design.
“It’s a pretty long process, I know,” Jamal said. “But it’s definitely a long dream of mine.”
There is no shortcut to that goal. For now, Jamal continues to draw, take on animation work, and develop his skills.
His journey shows what can happen when existing talent meets access to professional learning and opportunity. The course did not create his creativity. Jamal brought that with him. What it offered was a chance to take what he already knew and build something new from it—one frame, one skill, and one opportunity at a time.
