Today we’d like to introduce you to Hanyuan Guo.
Hi Hanyuan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Being passionate about painting and having a strong sense of story, I like to tell stories through images. After finishing my degree at the Communication University of China, I kept studying to illustrate the story and create immersive experiences for the audience. In 2022, I started my illustration MFA program at Savannah College of Art and Design. Different from the project I had done before, I found that illustration does not just make the images look pretty but solves the problem. Therefore, I am learning how to use visual storytelling skills to solve problems in the process of design and trying to break the boundary between illustration and other forms of art.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s not easy to go through the process. Because of my interdisciplinary background, sometimes it is difficult for me to get the right direction during the design process. In my personal work Emotional Forest, I used abstract, geometric shapes as a metaphor for one’s spiritual world. To make these graphics more dynamic, I made an animated video. Some viewers commented that the work itself was more like a fine art project than an illustration. These made me confused but also led me to think further. The question of how to define illustration comes to my mind. I think there’s an invisible line between illustration and fine art. However, illustration forms are varied and can be combined with sculpture, animation, architecture, and other art forms. It could be great fun when playing with these forms. Now I am still working on this topic, trying to find a new way of applying illustration in the market.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a freelance illustrator based in Savannah. I mainly focus on transmedia storytelling. My creation is about thinking of time, life, and personal growth. I love to observe the physical and mental change that happens in the human body through the life experience. And I really enjoy creating a story from the threads of life. My works have been selected for CIB8 The 8th China Illustration Biennial, BICC Britain International Creative Competition, and Hiii illustration competitions.
What’s next?
I am interested in studying how new technology would affect the illustrator. I think I will keep exploring the potential possibilities for illustration development through the digital age.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ghy1002021.wixsite.com/hanyuanguo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evayuan_official_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanyuan-guo-541066269/
Image Credits
https://ghy1002021.wixsite.com/hanyuanguo
