Today we’d like to introduce you to Yokiz Xi.
Hi Yokiz, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began drawing at a young age, and later realized that art is the only activity that makes me concentrate. This realization led me to pursue art as a career. Eventually. I decided to attend art school. The experience has been eye-opening, and now I see how art intersects with so many different fields.
In my freshman year It was quite hard for me to decide what major to pursue. I decided to choose illustration because of its close ties to various disciplines. Initially, I was very passionate about game art and concept illustration. Over time, I discovered a deeper passion for graphic illustration.
Now I find myself gravitating more toward book illustrations, editorials, animation, and comics—mediums where stories and meaning take center stage. This is where I feel most inspired and where my artistic journey continues to evolve.
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?
My journey as an artist hasn’t been a smooth one, but looking back, I can see how each step has led me to the next. I believed that choosing illustration as my career was a monumental decision, given the countless other majors available. The more I learned about illustration, it opened me up to the tremendous other opportunities available in that discipline. It is understood a good illustrator requires a narrow focus of finding their true voice through a consistent style and this search for that style has been my greatest challenge.
Every artist’s journey to discovering their style is unique. I have been closely observing how my hands move, where my eye naturally lands, and contemplating why I draw. These reflections have led me to explore various fields, from traditional art to game art, graphic illustration, and story illustration. Such self-reflection will probably never end for me. To others, it might seem like I’m jumping around different fields, but the thing that ties my work together is something called style.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in editorial art, storybook illustration, and motion design. I’m drawn to art that tells stories and conveys meaningful ideas in a joyful and light-hearted way. Recently, I’ve developed an interest in motion design, captivated by its ability to tell stories through movement and transitions. I’m currently exploring the fields of animation and comics, seeking new and innovative ways to portray and narrate stories.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Jiangsu, China, and I’d describe myself as an introverted person. My hobbies are mostly stationary. Meaning, I really enjoy staying at home and immersing myself in learning. I love listening to music and learning to play the violin or flute. In my free time, I also enjoy crochet and embroidery. Reading is another passion of mine, with a reading list focused primarily on self-help, psychology, and philosophy. I guess you could say I have a scholarly personality.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yokizxi.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yokizxi/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yokiz-xi/
Image Credits
Yokiz Xi
