Meet Yu-Hsuan Teng | Illustrator & 2D Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yu-Hsuan Teng and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yu-Hsuan, we’d love to hear about a book that’s had an impact on you.
Much like many other artists, I’ve always found joy in doodling on random scraps of paper since childhood. However, it was a book that a classmate brought to school one day during elementary school that truly drew me into the world of visual storytelling, shaping my artistic journey ever since.

“The Arrival,” authored and illustrated by Australian artist Shaun Tan in 2006, is a wordless graphic novel that tells the story of a man forced to leave his desolate homeland in search of new opportunities in a foreign country. Spanning 128 pages, the book is adorned with stunning artwork in the form of panels of varying sizes. Through intricate details and dynamic character expressions, ‘The Arrival’ paints a vivid and touching narrative about immigrants solely through imagery.

Every aspect of “The Arrival” — from its square panel layout to the pencil textures on aged paper, and the emotionally resonant yet subtly conveyed stories — has left a lasting impression on me. I often draw from these elements when seeking inspiration and making artistic decisions in my own work. In fact, my latest animated short film, ‘Vestige,’ draws heavily from the essence of this remarkable book, combined with my personal creative vision.

“The Arrival” is a beautiful masterpiece that has guided me as an illustrator, and I hope to one day inspire others with my art in the same way it has inspired me.

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.
As an illustrator and concept artist with extensive animation training, I am deeply passionate about visual storytelling in all its forms. Drawing inspiration from my Taiwanese upbringing and a love for Japanese anime, I often infuse my artwork with an East Asian perspective and graphic style. Through intriguing imagery and vibrant characters, I aim to captivate audiences with narratives that explore the diverse spectrum of the human experience.

Currently, I am fully engaged in the production of my latest animated short film, titled “Vestige.” This four-minute 2D animated piece combines the aesthetics of a graphic novel with elements of limited animation. Centered around a painter who returns to her war-torn and forgotten hometown in search of a long-lost childhood friend, “Vestige” delves into the contrasting lives of two women, unveiling their sorrows and losses with a bittersweet touch.

“Vestige” is a work that represents a harmonious fusion of my illustrative skills and animation expertise, pushing the boundaries of traditional animated formats to offer a unique visual storytelling experience. Scheduled for release in the summer of 2024, I eagerly anticipate sharing this distinctive narrative with audiences.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
As an art student studying in New York City, I would always take my visiting friends to the west side of Manhattan where many great spots are within walking distance of each other. We could arrive at The High Line in the afternoon for a chill walk, see the sunset at Little Island, grab dinner at Chelsea Market, and check out Whitney Museum of American Art when they have free admission during Friday nights.

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?
Besides the unwavering support of my family, I want to give credit to the BFA program I attended at the Department of Multimedia and Animation Arts in National Taiwan University of Arts.

As a student passionate about visual arts and specializing in illustration, NTUA MAA introduced me to the captivating world of animated films and more. Through diverse courses covering frame-by-frame animation, CGI pipeline, game development, and graphic design, I gained a solid foundation across various mediums and software. Over my four years in the program, it allowed me to expand my artwork from still images into new realms, providing me with essential knowledge and skills of the animation field. Beyond technical expertise, I also forged connections with exceptional instructors and classmates who continue to support me post-graduation.

When our class graduated in 2022, our thesis projects dominated numerous Taiwanese film awards. My thesis short film, “Ant Hotel,” was selected in multiple international festivals such as Animafest Zagreb and more. I’m confident that many more outstanding students from NTUA MAA will continue to shine brightly in the future.

Website: https://www.yu-hsuan-teng-art.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoyo-deng/