Meet Raina Jia | Illustrator & Designer

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

Hi Raina, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
I have had lots of thoughts on this subject lately. I am a known workaholic, my record was working three part-time design jobs/internships while juggling coursework and freelance projects at the same time. Project after project day and night is how I would describe my college years. All the hustle and all-nighters didn’t exhaust me because I was and still am doing something I truly love, illustration and design.

My workflow changed five months after graduation, when I took leave from a graphic design job and finished my gallery and freelance projects at the time. I got ready to travel internationally for three months. I remembered the fear and anxiety of not working and not accepting new freelance offers. I only felt safe being constantly busy. I felt I would be left behind if I stopped pushing.

Long story short, after being immersed in new places/cultures during this long journey, I realized everyone’s timing is different, and everyone’s timing is just right. There is beauty and meaning in slowing down. It’s a realization and relief that I have not felt for years. I don’t need to be constantly pushing, what I am looking for will eventually find me. I remembered my previous travels, and wondered where the people I once met are, what are they doing, how are they feeling.

I didn’t need to feel ashamed and guilty doing nothing, because sometimes doing nothing means having the time to think about everything, to look back, to cherish. I decided to work harder than ever when it’s time to work, but also not being afraid to slow down and let time slip by to feel life.

I have been traveling a lot since then, going places and feeling the beauty of being alive. Taking time to eat, sleep, take a walk, talk to somebody, snuggle with animals. I want to experience life. Because if there is no life, how can there be art?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work often portrays stories from everyday life, emotional experiences, and surreal symbolisms. I think expression through art is not only my way of connecting with others, documenting life, but also a main source of self-care. As a learning and emerging illustrator&designer, I am always looking forward to connect with others and sharing our stories together. My passion for art, like many of my fellow artists, started in an early age. However I didn’t decide to pursue an art career until much later. I tried going for business and graphic design in high school, then eventually decided that illustration&Design would be a better path, allowing me to incorporate my love for design and my desire to draw, to tell stories. I graduated from ArtCenter College of Design last year and now working as a freelance illustrator and designer. There was definitely a lot of insecurities I felt and challenges I faced being in a competitive environment. I overcame that by understanding that art is not a race, and everyone is unique in their own ways with their own voice. Looking back I would tell myself and anyone else going through the same situations that there is no rush, take time to explore, and be true to what you really want.

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.
I have many recommendations for LA, but since I am now back in Orange County, I will pick some of my favorite spots here. The first place on my mind would be Laguna Beach, and dog beach on Huntington Beach. Beautiful sunsets and good restaurants. Seeing a dog splashing in the ocean always makes my day. Then Irvine Spectrum and Jamboree road, south and north lakes. Mission San Juan Capistrano’s beautiful architectures, antique shops, and unique cuisines. We will explore a couple local trails, one of my favorite would be the Borrengo to Red Rock Canyon trail. And if we want to see some arts we will go to OCMA (OC Museum of Art).

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are too many people and things that I am grateful for. Usually when I have to choose I would pick my parents, because they are always there for me. Books also deserve some recognition in my story because I am an avid reader. I read about 70-80 books a year on top of work and school. Reading is a way to travel without leaving home, and many of my illustrations are inspired by the books I read. They have broadened my world to see and cherish completely different lives.

Website: https://www.rainajia.com

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

Image Credits
All image credits belong to me, photographies taken by me.