Meet Xiaoran Chen | Concept Artist & Visual Development Artist

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

Hi Xiaoran, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
Growing up in China and then moving to the US, I’ve been fortunate to experience a blend of cultures that have profoundly influenced my artistic journey. Through the friendships I’ve formed with people from diverse backgrounds, I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty of human connection and draw strength from our differences. Studying in New York, I learned how to be a motivated, strong person with a clear goal. Immersed in the vibrant energy of Broadway musicals and surrounded by people from all walks of life, I realized the boundless possibilities that lay ahead when one dares to chase their aspirations. Now living in San Francisco, I continue to weave my artistic narrative, drawing inspiration from every corner of my past and present. Every place I’ve called home, every person I’ve encountered, and every piece of art I’ve beheld has left an indelible mark, shaping me into the artist I am today.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a concept artist specializing in environment design, my work revolves around enriching the visual narratives of stories and gameplay. When designing for a production artist, budget, art style, and suitability for the narrative are often considered. With each project, there’s a unique puzzle to crack. While some might see these considerations as limiting, I find them to be what makes the work enjoyable. They constantly inspire me to innovate and discover new artistic solutions.

Two years ago, I had the opportunity to work on an animation film project that is still in production. My task was to design props and sets based on the storyboard provided. By understanding how the characters would interact with the environment and the mood the story aimed to convey, I was able to make informed design choices, ensuring that my creations resonated with both the project’s requirements and my personal artistic vision. For example, the task of designing a fish shop. Without context, it’s like wandering aimlessly through a foggy forest. But if I know that the shop owner is a father living with a daughter and provides fish for a small fantasy Viking village, the creative process gains clarity. I’ll know what culture I can reference for the architectural design and what mood I want for the scene. Details like shell lamps and intricately carved facade patterns add depth to the narrative, reflecting the villagers’ beliefs and traditions, such as luck-bringing motifs for hunting expeditions.

I’ve learned so much working for different studios and projects. As a concept art intern at Activision, I collaborated with 3D artists, art directors, and other team members. This experience enhanced my ability to create functional and visually appealing designs and sharpened my skills in delivering keyframe illustrations that captured pivotal story moments and rich environments. Working across various studios under Activision, I learned the art of studying and seamlessly applying different art styles to my designs, fostering versatility and adaptability in my work.

My focus on color, shape language, and lighting is evident throughout my projects, particularly in color keys and keyframe illustrations. In my project, Scents, the rounded and soft shapes within 02’s starship interior resonate with 02’s shy personality. In contrast, the boxy and hard edges shape the starship structure, implying that this spaceship initially belonged to an evil laboratory. The shape language was also applied in other environment scenes for this project.

Starting out as a concept artist isn’t easy. The competition is fierce, but I’ve learned to take chances and put myself out there. Posting on platforms like ArtStation was nerve-wracking at first, but you never know until you try, right? Embracing feedback and staying open-minded has been key to my growth.

Overall, I’m all about bringing stories to life through my art with color, shape, and lighting. It’s a journey of constant learning and improvement, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Park is the first must to go. It is such a huge park with many great locations for plein-air painting and hiking. Japanese Tea Garden is a great place to start the morning, and then a short hike around the stow lake may be excellent. On a recent visit, the morning mist lent an enchanting aura to the surroundings, adding a special touch to my nature-inspired art vibes. If you’re into quirky shapes and exotic plants like I am, the Flower Conservatory is a gem worth checking out. Then we can have lunch at the food truck. The tacos are amazing.

For fellow animation enthusiasts, Japanese Town is a goldmine of shops stocked with all things anime. If you’re down in LA, Little Tokyo offers a similar thrill. For a sunny day, Fisherman’s Warf is a must to go as well. Walking past Pier 39, you’ll see sea lions resting in the sun on floating planks. There are excellent ice cream shops and a bakery down the street. And if you walk along the seaside uphill, you’ll enter the aquatic park with a great ocean view and the Golden Gate. I can go on and on this recommendation for places to visit. I could keep going with recommendations for days!

This year, I’ve been diving deeper into plein-air oil painting, which has taken me to even more beautiful spots in San Francisco. It’s been a fantastic way to immerse myself in the city’s beauty.

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?
Art may be a personal practice, but no one is alone on this road; I am so lucky to have my friends, mentors, colleagues, and mother to support and inspire me on my artistic journey. Especially my mother, her unwavering belief in me, and their encouragement to follow my passion for art have been the driving force behind my creative pursuits. I also want to thank Pratt Institute and the Academy of Art University; I’ve grown so much and made many friends during my studies.

Website: https://xiaoqwq.artstation.com/

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

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/xiaoran-chen-525735183

Image Credits
Personal photo credit goes to my deer roommate, Lai Yu.