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

Hi Xiao, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
My answer might be quite simple: if we only have one life, then before I leave, I want to live through certain experiences—and engaging in creative work is one of them. Of course, the definition of creativity evolves over time, but this desire stems from my own understanding of who I want to be. Since childhood, I’ve spent time and energy on aesthetics-related pursuits, even though my artistic skills weren’t particularly exceptional. People often begin their careers based on their strengths, and in my case, I was fortunate to gradually transition from architecture into the CG industry. Both fields are deeply rooted in art and creativity.

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.
What makes my work unique, I think, is that although I was trained in architecture, I’ve always had a CG (computer graphics) heart. I didn’t start learning CG techniques seriously until after completing my graduate studies. While my technical skills are still evolving, what I bring is a different perspective. I may not align with the mainstream values of either industry, but that difference—my personal taste and style—is something I hold onto. I hope in the future I’ll have more chances to create work that reflects that personal voice.

What excites me the most is the feeling of breakthrough—those moments when a piece of work finally clicks. There’s a brief moment of pride and joy, even if that excitement fades over time or as I grow. But right at the moment of finishing a piece and sharing it with others, that feeling is powerful.

As for where I am professionally—honestly, I don’t feel I’ve achieved anything particularly grand in a societal sense. At every stage, I’ve simply done what’s expected at that level, and stayed roughly in line with my peers. Society is a massive filter, and maybe I’m not the most “ideal product” of it. But I do see that my work is getting better, and that matters to me.

Was it easy? Not at all. Every stage has had its own kind of difficulty. And I’ve come to realize something about the relationship between effort and reward—it’s cyclical. Sometimes, your hard work pays off. Other times, it doesn’t. These cycles seem to move in years, not days or weeks. It may sound unscientific, but life is unpredictable. So when opportunities come, I’ve learned that it’s worth going after them, even if the outcome isn’t guaranteed.

How do I overcome challenges? By moving—by taking action first and letting my mindset follow. And when I’m anxious about something, I write it down. Putting thoughts into words makes things clearer and less scary, because fear often comes from uncertainty. Mindset is everything. Faith—believing, even without evidence—can carry you through. Sometimes it’s the act of moving forward that creates the result.

Lessons learned? Create routines. Routines conserve energy and time. They give you clarity and the wisdom to know when to stop or shift direction. That’s incredibly valuable.

As for my brand—I do have ideas. I hope one day I’ll have the chance and courage to bring them to life.

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 Boston for a week, I’d definitely take them on a mix of city and coastal adventures. We’d grab cold udon at Yume Ga Arukara—a must-try—and get a classic lobster roll at Pauli’s in the North End. For a day trip, we’d drive out to Cape Cod to enjoy the ocean breeze, small towns, and seafood. It’d be a week of good food, great views, and memorable conversations.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Absolutely — I’d love to take this opportunity to give a shoutout to a few people and experiences that shaped my journey.

First, I’m incredibly grateful to my parents. While they may not have had a creative background themselves, they always gave me the freedom to explore and express myself. That quiet kind of support—never forcing, but always encouraging—meant a lot, especially in moments of uncertainty.

Second, I want to thank the mentors and peers I’ve met throughout architecture school and my transition into the CG industry. At every stage, someone offered guidance, shared knowledge, or simply believed in what I was trying to do. Sometimes it was a teacher who challenged me to think deeper, sometimes it was a teammate who stayed up late with me during a deadline crunch. These moments of collaboration and kindness were pivotal.

Lastly, I’d like to give a quiet nod to books and films that inspired me to see the world differently. They reminded me that art and design aren’t just skills—they’re ways of thinking, feeling, and connecting. That realization helped anchor my creative identity when I needed it most.

Website: https://xiaoojin.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cerol946

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiao-jin-42871a20b//

Other: https://www.artstation.com/xiao_jin
artstation

Image Credits
1-4 image credit to Kai Chen

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