Meet Fangjian Li | Sound Designer, Production Sound Mixer

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

Hi Fangjian, what are you inspired by?
I‘m currently doing sound design and sound mixing. I became interested in sound when I was about 20 and watched an animation called “Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!”. It tells a story about how anime is made. It has an episode specifically about how they build their own sound library using old recorders and tapes to record sound from nature. The character holds a boom mic towards a tower bell while the peaceful river gently flows in front of him. This reminded me of my childhood memory. One time I was climbing mountains and suddenly realized I was being surrounded by a strange buzzing noise coming from above. I tiptoed, trying to discern the source of the hidden sound among the leaves. Then I saw a huge amount of bees. I saw a large swarm of bees, so many of them, filling the sky. I hadn’t realized how close they were until I noticed the faint buzzing. Once I saw them, I couldn’t ignore the sound anymore. Seeing characters in anime quietly recording the sound of tower bells, and discovering the bees overhead, both gave me a feeling of “hitting the jackpot.” I’m someone who enjoys observing things around me. Choosing sound as my profession has brought me immense joy; it’s like making a cake, layering different sounds together to create a complete work. But undoubtedly, one layer of this scene is the most unignorable.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart in my art is a combination of my unique perspective and my dedication to storytelling through sound. I believe that every sound has a story to tell, and my passion lies in capturing and manipulating these stories to evoke emotion and create meaning. I strive to create immersive experiences where sound not only complements visuals but becomes an integral part of the narrative itself.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to blend technical expertise with artistic vision. Mastering the tools and techniques of sound design has allowed me to push boundaries creatively, whether I’m working on different genres. Each project presents a new challenge and an opportunity to innovate, which keeps me constantly engaged and excited about my work.

My journey to where I am today hasn’t been without its challenges. Like any creative profession, it requires perseverance and resilience. Early on, I faced the challenge of breaking into the industry and proving myself. I overcame these obstacles by continually honing my skills, networking with professionals, and seeking out opportunities to showcase my work. Building a strong portfolio and reputation took time and effort, but each setback taught me valuable lessons about persistence and adaptability.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the power of collaboration. Working with directors, producers, and fellow artists has taught me the importance of communication, compromise, and teamwork. The synergy that comes from combining diverse talents and perspectives often leads to more impactful and memorable creative outcomes.

As for my brand and story, I strive to create experiences that resonate emotionally and intellectually with audiences, whether they are experiencing a film, a video game, or a virtual reality environment. My goal is to leave a lasting impression through my work, inspiring others to see and hear the world in new and profound ways.

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?
I’ll take them to the rose bowl flea market on Sunday for sure to get some cool stuff. And I’ll bring them to a book store called Arcana: Books on the Arts.
Torrance beach is also a cool place to get some sunshine. Then maybe head to a bar called Gold Line.

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 want to thank my school, ArtCenter College of Design, where I’ve met friends and teachers who have been tremendously supportive. Over these two years, I am grateful for their help, which has solidified my pursuit of what I truly want to do and has encouraged me to become the person I aspire to be.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fangjian.li/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fangjian-li-525560174

Image Credits
Daniella Jin, Zheng Qu