Meet Junyu Lin | Illustrator & Designer

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

Hi Junyu, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Ever since my childhood, I have held a deep passion for drawing, but I never thought about pursuing an artistic career until my high school years. During my younger days, I was captivated by the anime and cartoon characters showcased on television. Inspired by them, I began sketching these characters, using pencils and oil pastels to recreate their distinctive styles on paper. I made the decision to pursue drawing more professionally when I was in high school, and this led me to get enrolled in Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts. I studied oil painting for four years, then figured out that it wasn’t what I really wanted to do. In 2019, I took a significant step forward in my artistic journey by gaining admission to the MFA illustration program at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
I know I enjoy the process of creating art and telling my own stories, and it is indeed a rarity for a person to have the opportunity to pursue a path that truly brings them joy. I do not want to lose this chance, which is why I find the strength within me to persevere.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As previously mentioned, I studied oil painting in college and then I went to the United States for further education. I got my MFA in illustration at Fashion Institute of Technology, setting the stage for my career as a freelance illustrator. It was surely not an easy path. I spent my first year trying to figure out what kind of illustration I wanted to make, and I came to the realization that my passion lay in becoming a storyteller through sequential illustrations. I make comics, picture books, and motion animations. My final thesis project is a picture book about anti-domestic violence, which tells a story about a woman who’s living in an abusive relationship with her husband.
Following my graduation, I had quite a hard time struggling. Despite getting a lot of recognition, such as American Illustration, 3×3 Magazine Annual, and Communication Arts, securing freelance work remained an arduous task. It was a difficult year for everyone, and artists are no exception.
Eventually, things are much better right now. I’ve done illustrations for three published books, and I’m also working on trying to publish my own picture books. I still struggle a lot even now, but I am grateful to have the support of my family and friends, who have stood by me through thick and thin. This gives me the strength and courage to continue on, no matter what the future may hold.

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?
New York City is such a huge place, there are countless remarkable attractions, which makes it challenging to pick just one. Personally, I highly recommend exploring the vibrant neighborhood of East Village in Manhattan. Having lived nearby for two years, I have built an emotional connection with this area. East village is known for its vibrant nightlife, music and local restaurants. If I were to take a friend there, I would undoubtedly introduce them to my favorite Asian restaurants, followed by a leisurely exploration of the neighborhood’s vintage stores. There’re also some Chinese milk tea shops, such as Xing Fu Tang and Gong Cha, where we could surely have some wonderful afternoon tea time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The first one I would like to dedicate my shoutout to is, of course, my parents. They have been unwavering in their support since I embarked on this journey. They played a crucial role in my decision to come to the US and have consistently offered both financial and emotional assistance. Even during the challenging period after my graduation when I was jobless, they never uttered a single negative word.Without them I could never hold on to it now. I would also like to acknowledge and express my gratitude to my FIT family, which includes my professors and classmates. The three years we spent together will always be precious to me. We were honest to each other, not afraid to offer our sincere critiques. It was through these interactions that I witnessed significant personal growth, and I truly appreciate their help and support.

Website: https://www.junyulin.net

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/junyulin/