Meet Claire Yee | Creative Director, Artist, Illustrator, Concept Artist

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

Hi Claire, what role has risk played in your life or career?
In my sophomore year of high school, when I was deciding to pursue art as a career, I was grappling with the question of whether it was the right path for me. At the same time, I was at the peak of my Taekwondo journey—placing at Nationals and training with world-class coaches. It was an incredibly difficult decision to make such a complete shift, essentially sacrificing my athletic career for art. I had to take a step back and reflect on what I truly wanted.

Choosing a creative career is always a gamble, but what helped me fully commit was realizing that almost every meaningful decision in life involves risk. I’ve come to believe that no significant choice comes without a daunting level of uncertainty. Accepting that I won’t always know what the future holds, and recognizing that I know far less than I think, gave me the courage to commit to art. While risk is terrifying, it’s often more frightening to remain stuck in a place that makes us miserable.

Fortunately, later that same year, in 2022, I won the Congressional Art Competition, representing California’s 28th district. I was flown to Washington, D.C., to display my work in the Capitol for a year. The piece I submitted was deeply personal, reflecting the pressure I felt during this life transition. Taking the risk to be vulnerable through my art and embracing this new career path has become one of the most meaningful journeys I’ve pursued..

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My journey into the world of startups and brand design has been a surprising evolution, considering my background is primarily in traditional art. For the longest time, anything beyond Procreate felt intimidating and out of reach. I never imagined myself working with startups, let alone leading on brand design. My focus had always been on building a solid foundation in fine arts, and that’s where I dedicated most of my energy. In high school, whenever I tried using design software and technology, I felt completely lost.

However, this past year brought new opportunities. I had the chance to work with a team to build a game and lead marketing and branding for a community-building company. I returned to the same programs that once intimidated me, but this time with a fresh perspective, and I found them much more approachable.

There’s definitely fear in revisiting things that once felt out of reach. When I was presenting my portfolio, which was mostly filled with illustrations and paintings, I was tempted to shy away from opportunities that required more technical skills. But my strong foundation in art gave me the necessary skill set to branch out into logo design, branding, and concept art.

What sets my work apart is that it’s deeply rooted in traditional fine art, but I’ve combined that with the adaptability to take on modern challenges in branding and design. Overcoming my initial fear of technology and stepping out of my comfort zone has been key to my success. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to not limit yourself based on past struggles—revisiting them with a fresh perspective can lead to incredible growth.

What I want people to know about my brand is that it’s all about combining traditional art principles with modern design solutions. It’s been a journey of transformation, and I’m proud of the risks I’ve taken to grow into the artist I am today, and hopefully these skill sets will translate into connecting people together.

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.
As a foodie, I have plenty of food recommendations. Brunch culture is massive in LA, so a great way to explore the city’s food scene is by checking out Yelp and seeing what catches your eye. Urth Caffé is a family favorite of mine and always a solid choice.

In addition to the food, I highly recommend visiting some of LA’s museums. The Norton Simon Museum showcases an incredible collection of artworks, and the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is a must-see. It’s a stunning estate with beautiful gardens, art galleries, and a library open to the public—perfect for a day of exploration.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my parents. They were the ones who really pushed me to pursue art, even when I was unsure about whether it was the right path. Their support went beyond just encouragement—they gave me the confidence to take risks and believe in my abilities when I struggled to do so myself. My parents saw potential in me that I hadn’t yet realized, and they didn’t let me settle for anything less than what they knew I could achieve. Without their guidance and belief in my creative vision, I don’t think I would have had the courage to fully commit to an art career. They truly deserve a lot of credit for where I am today.

Secondly, I want thank my art studio Right Brain Art Academy for laying the strongest art foundation I could ask for. They have taken me under their wing and fostered an environment that harbors creativity, experimentation, and growth. The teachers Rebecca and Corey are people I still regularly contact and are great friends with. Their art education allowed me to create with passion, risk, and imagination everyday.

Website: https://www.clairejyee.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/at_claireyee

Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/claire-yee-b4803725b

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm48IeXmJygdcv4i7cvY0uQ