Today we’d like to introduce you to Shellie Li.
Hi Shellie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Like every other child, I have loved drawing since I was young. Fortunately, my parents have always been very supportive of my interests. At an age when I should have been focusing on my studies, I went to the studio to paint while others attended tutorials. I studied advertising design in high school, laying the foundation for my basic design skills. Recognizing my passion for design, I delved deeper into advertising and specialized in graphic design at university.
During my junior year of university, I stumbled upon motion graphics in one of my classes, introducing me to an entirely new field. This revelation ignited my interest and marked what I saw as the next level of graphic design. I enthusiastically delved into the world of motion graphics, and this newfound passion inspired me to study abroad. I sought to gain firsthand knowledge of the design field and to challenge myself by competing with the best and brightest talents from around the world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was never a smooth road. I’m no stranger to moments of self-doubt when things don’t go as planned, and I’ve learned the importance of taking a step back and embracing a break. Life is an exploration, a journey into the unknown, and it’s crucial not to fear new experiences because they bring opportunities for learning and growth.
In Asia, the prevailing expectation for parents is that their children excel in school. Therefore, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents, who, in particular, respected my interests and provided me with unwavering support.
Initially, my deep fascination was with costume design, and I pursued it as my major during my first year of university.
However, as I delved deeper into costume design, I discovered that my true passion lay in fashion illustration rather than costume production. Meanwhile, because of the foundation I built in high school, I discovered a passion for the field of advertising design. Eventually, I chose to transfer to a new school and continue pursuing a degree in advertising.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am currently a graduate student at SCAD, where the strong design foundation I built in high school has consistently placed me in charge of visual design.
Image Credits
Shellie Li/Chi Chi