Meet Yuxin Feng | Story Artist

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

Hi Yuxin, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
One day, I saw a TED talk video by Reshma Saujani, where she spoke about the importance of teaching girls bravery instead of focusing on perfection. Her powerful quote, “When you learn how to be brave, you can learn how to be imperfect, and it will make you happier. It will make you more successful,” deeply resonated with me and has since become one of my favorite life mottos. Whenever I find myself overwhelmed or intimidated by the challenges and the uncertainties ahead, this quote reminds me that it’s perfectly alright to stumble and fail. What truly matters is that I had the courage to try and give it my all.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m a story artist at Pixar Animation Studios, where I’m in the development of an upcoming feature film. My primary responsibilities include creating storyboards and providing creative ideas based on the script. My passion for storytelling and filmmaking started from a young age, but the path to reaching this point has lots of challenges. I initially worked in the video department at Netease Games in Hangzhou, China. While there, I had the opportunity to storyboard and direct several CG trailers for various games. However, my true passion has always resided in feature animation rather than gaming.

In 2019, I made the decision to pursue further education at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, with a specific focus on animation. I dedicated myself to learning everything I could about film, story structure, composition and drawing techniques, all in the hopes of securing an internship at Pixar. It’s a super competitive position. My determination and hard work paid off when I finally got an internship spot on my second attempt. Following the internship, I gained valuable experience by working on a variety of projects, including games and TV series. This allowed me to further enhance my skill set before returning to Pixar last year. The journey has not been easy, especially with the challenges of the pandemic, but my love for film has been a driving force that helped me overcome every difficulty along the way.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
One of the things I love about California is the abundance of breathtaking natural landscapes. There are countless hiking spots in LA that I highly recommend. Or, just taking a walk along the scenic beaches of Malibu, Laguna Beach, or Huntington Beach and seeing the captivating sunset and shoreline view is an absolute must. During the whale season, I suggest a whale and dolphin watching tour at Newport Beach. It’s an incredible experience that allows me to get up close and personal with these beautiful creatures. For a day trip, there are some charming towns located just a two-hour drive from LA that are definitely worth exploring. Personally, I have a soft spot for Santa Barbara and San Juan Capistrano. Both places offer unique attractions and a delightful atmosphere.

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 so many individuals who have played a significant role in my career. First and foremost, I owe a big thanks to my mom, whose unwavering love and support shaped who I am today. I’m also grateful for my friends, my church and all the mentors who have provided me with endless encouragement and support.

I would like to give a special shoutout to Animation Collaborative School, Rejean Bourdages, Derek Thompson, Brian Kalin O’Connell, Hyein Park and all other talented and kind-hearted individuals at Pixar. I was so fortunate to have crossed paths with them. Their guidance and mentorship helped me to become a skilled story artist. I’m deeply grateful for their generosity in sharing their knowledge and experience with me, and I hope to pass on these valuable lessons to the younger generation.

Instagram: @yuxin.draws

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fengyuxin/

Image Credits
Personal photo credit by Xin Li