Meet Junyi Zhang | Concept Artist & Animation Background Designer & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Junyi Zhang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Junyi, what do you attribute your success to?
I think passion is a key ingredient to success. My passion for animation supports my constant learning to improve myself. Don’t be afraid to show your work and get critiques from professionals is a good way to improve yourself. Constantly look for opportunities in the industry and do more personal create work in life.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
One of my earliest childhood memories is watching Disney’s iconic film Beauty and the Beast. I was captivated by the story and designs. At that time I didn’t know much about animation and concept arts, I was just doing what all kids do: using heir imagination. I was drawing over and over all different kind of things, all the things i can see in life, pratice day after day. It wasn’t easy to become a professional artist and enter the animation industry. But I did it! I learned never give up my dream and keep to the direction where I want to go! I will achieve to the goal. Now I’m a professional animation background artist and also creating my personal children illustration book series called What Bubu gonna do. The first book already published on Amazon. Wow! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SNSNS4K/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1645464611&sr=8-1#detailBullets_feature_div

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I will bring her to getty museum and the broad museum. Bring her to eat hotpot and Korean all you can eat bbq.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many people to thank. Thanks to Yvette Espinosa for being such a good supporter not only giving me the opportunity but also lots of good advises both for career and life. Thanks to Ron Myrick for thinking I could be a background designer and giving me a lot of creative space and freedom.

Website: https://junjun86.wixsite.com/aprilart/works

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilzhangart/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/junyi-april-zhang-3b23b830/

Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SNSNS4K/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1645464611&sr=8-1#detailBullets_feature_div