Meet Huayi Yu | Animation Director

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

Hi Huayi, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My work-life balance has shifted from simply separating work and leisure to a more seamless integration where work has become part of my enjoyment. As an animator, I find myself observing and experiencing life even during my downtime, amplifying those experiences to gather new and interesting ideas for my animations. This approach allows me to stay creative while enjoying life, so work doesn’t feel like just a task but rather an enjoyable part of my daily
routine.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
In high school, my dream was to attend CalArts, however I was accepted to SVA before admission to CalArts. Although I appreciated SVA, New York, and all I learned, CalArts was still my dream, and I felt it held the proper guidance to further my artwork. I reapplied to CalArts and during my application, I vividly remember writing in my artist statement for the application, “I eagerly look forward to creating at least four short films during my four years at CalArts.” Since then, this ambitious goal has gradually become a reality. I have gone from knowing nothing about animation film production to having numerous film ideas that I am confident about bringing to life. My passion for animation has never wavered, only continued to grow.
I enjoy exploring and experimenting with new styles in film production, aiming for my work to stand out rather than be repetitive. I have a strong desire to develop my own visual language, constantly pushing the boundaries of 2D hand-drawn animation to achieve unique visual effects and dynamic animation. Through daily observation and imagination, new ideas continuously flow into my mind, making ongoing creation a source of happiness in my life.

In my work, I use animation to reflect reality, capturing the satirical, heartwarming, funny, sad and diverse moments of everyday life. From growing up in a small town in China to studying in New York City at SVA until sophomore year, and then transferring to CalArts in California, my journey is something I could never have imagined as a child. The vast cultural differences, contrasting lifestyles, and sometimes conflicting value systems between China and the US have brought many new experiences to my life. These experiences have enriched my work, allowing it to reflect both my deep-rooted Chinese culture and the welcomed influences of American life, making my perspective more unique.

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.
If my best friend were visiting, the first stop would definitely be my school, CalArts. It’s such a unique place, and I’d start by showing them my favorite spot: the basement, three floors down. The hallway is covered in graffiti, and it’s incredible how you can always find something new. The art comes from all kinds of cultural backgrounds, from skateboard-style street art to memes popular on Chinese social media, it’s such a familiar, fun discovery every time.
After exploring CalArts, I’d take them to Pasadena for what I consider the most authentic Sichuan food in all of LA at a restaurant called Sichuan Street Food. The must-order dish is their spiciest house special stir-fried bullfrog, definitely for anyone who loves a good kick of spice!
Then, I’d take the drive north to Mammoth Mountain. Skiing there has become my winter tradition with friends, it’s my little escape after the fall semester ends. The slopes are perfect for everyone, whether you’re just starting or practically a pro. It’s the ideal place to unwind surrounded by nature.
Finally, we’d come back to my cozy apartment in Valencia. I live next to the Valencia Country Club, and while I’m not a member, I get to look out at their massive green lawns through my window every day. After a long day of drawing, that peaceful view is incredibly relaxing.

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?
I have to give a huge shoutout to my mom. She’s an obstetrician, so her life and career are pretty far removed from the world of animation. In fact, she might not have even watched many animated films. But when I told her I wanted to pursue animation, she didn’t question what it was about or how it worked. Instead, she simply asked, “Do you really like it?” At the time, I didn’t even fully understand animation myself, I just thought it looked fun, and I wanted to give it a try. From that moment, she’s been fully supportive, helping me get to where I am today, even though she had no real connection to the field. Her belief in me made all the difference.

Website: https://huayiyu.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/huayi11/

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/huayi-yu-5b3672262

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HuayiYu

Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/huayiyu

Image Credits
All work was created by me.