Today we’d like to introduce you to Yujia Zhang.
Hi Yujia, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ever since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated with art. I used to have this book about some of the most famous paintings in art history. I would spend hours and hours going through all the fascinating stories behind those great artworks — how they were created, what kind of paints the artist used, how the message was delivered through each symbol, etc. It opened up this dazzling world where creativity is celebrated and visions that go beyond reality are promised. I also loved to draw, myself. Seeing these pictures I had in my mind gradually take form, line by line was so exciting and fulfilling.
Even so, growing up I never really thought that I was going to become an artist. In fact, I ended up going to college for architecture. But sometimes life just presents you with opportunities that you never expect. In my junior year of undergrad, I was offered the chance to join a sponsored painting trip to Italy. I spent weeks walking around magnificent Italian cities such as Rome and Naples, going to art museums and doing paintings and sketches what I saw and felt. The whole experience really made me realize that I enjoyed drawing and art so much that I wanted to pursue a career doing it.
I recently just graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a master’s degree in Illustration. During my studies there, I got the chance to explore my own artistic voice and I learned how to become a professional illustrator.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It was never a smooth road. I think one of my biggest obstacles was transitioning from an architecture student to an illustration student. I had to adapt to a different thinking process, different working methods, different skills, and different mentalities. But I was glad that I didn’t stop drawing even when I was studying architecture. All those practices paid back and helped me a ton when I first started my master’s program.
Another huge struggle was searching for my own artistic voice. I think a lot of other art students would agree. In the beginning, we all have artists we admire and learn from. We learned their skills and even picked up their styles. But at a certain point, I found it just wasn’t enough for me. I couldn’t just go around and chase after other artists. I’m grateful that I had so many opportunities to experiment and explore different methods, styles, and materials at SCAD. And for sure, along the way there were a lot of illustrations that I was not satisfied with, but making mistakes is a crucial part of the learning process. I’m glad I never stopped trying.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I just graduated this spring from the illustration department at SCAD. Most of my works are illustrations, including book cover designs, posters, editorial pieces, children’s books, and package designs. But I also do printmaking and handmade jewelry. I mostly work digitally, but one thing I’m really proud of is how I try to incorporate traditional methods into my digital works. I think working with traditional mediums is so much fun. There’s always this uncertainty and sophistication to it that can’t be replaced. But also, working digitally often means more flexibility, and sometimes digital illustrations just look better on screens. So I like to combine them together.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
I think for me, personally, illustration or art in general is not just about creating beautiful images but about expressing my perceptions and my perspectives about the world. My thesis project was inspired by the 1990’s Riot Grrrl movement as I felt that feminism is still something we really need to talk about to this moment. I see illustration as an avenue for me to discuss and explore topics that I’m passionate about. I’m hoping that I will be able to continue to create artworks with certain social consciousness to them.
Contact Info:
- Email: octopus_cutejane@126.com
- Website: https://www.yujiastudio.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/octopus_jane/
Image Credits
Yujia Zhang
