Meet Xin Yi Wu | Designer & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Xin Yi Wu and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Xin Yi, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
I don’t consider myself a risk-taker. I prefer situations where I am confident and certain of success. I’m usually hesitant to take risks when the outcomes are unpredictable. I like to come up with multiple solutions to a problem and minimize the chance of failure.

However, in my artistic journey, I took several risks, following my heart instead of my head. I listened to my instincts instead of overanalyzing and planning. I moved from my home country to the United States in pursuit of self-improvement and better opportunities, leaving my family and friends behind. It was a huge decision for me, but I took a leap of faith without knowing what lay ahead.

I believe risk-taking is crucial, especially when pursuing one’s passion. Not everything can be planned out in advance, and sometimes good outcomes stem from taking the more challenging path. It’s like drawing on a piece of paper with a pen—I can’t predict if I’ll make a mistake or create a beautiful picture. Every piece of artwork involves some level of risk-taking, and that’s the beauty of unpredictability.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Singaporean-Chinese designer and illustrator who is passionate about solving design problems through my work. I enjoy using traditional pen and paper to sketch and explore various art styles. Experimenting with different mediums such as animation and graphic design is something I love to do. I have experience in entertainment, graphic design, motion, and illustration.

As an international transfer student, I studied games and animation at Digipen Institute of Technology in Singapore before coming to Art Center College of Design in the United States. Making the decision to pursue my studies in the US was not easy, especially considering my traditional Asian family background where an art career was not the most favored path. Despite facing financial and mental struggles, I remained determined to pursue my passion for art and self-improvement.

I have struggled with my art and my diverse interests, feeling like I don’t fit into one specific category. However, I have come to terms with the fact that being diverse is okay, and I don’t need to conform to a singular category. Understanding that everyone has their own developmental path has helped me focus on what is best for me, rather than comparing myself to others.

In my free time, I enjoy admiring architectural designs, particularly Victorian houses, and sketching them in my sketchbook. I also have a keen interest in sculpting, baking, and food designs, and I often incorporate these elements into my work.

Traveling is another one of my passions, and I love spending my time outdoors sketching and immersing myself in different cultures. Drawing from real-life experiences and making connections with the places and people I encounter brings a unique perspective to my work. I am drawn to the spontaneity and adventure of drawing from life, embracing the risks and mistakes along the way, rather than drawing digitally from photographs.

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?
Sure, here is the edited version:

I highly recommend visiting museums and galleries in LA, such as the Autry Museum of the American West, The Getty, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. My friends and I love art and enjoy discussing it. I also plan to take my friends to various cafes and bookstores, including the Last Bookstore.

I’m a nature enthusiast and I intend to take my friends to hiking spots like Eaton Canyon and Santa Monica Pier. Spending a day hiking and watching the sunset at the beach would be fantastic. When it comes to food, I am a fan of Vietnamese food, poke, and Japanese cuisine. I would recommend Lee Sandwiches, Glendale Pho Co., and Poke Salad Bar. Additionally, I plan to take my friends to Little Tokyo to enjoy the variety of Japanese food there.

I also plan to spend time with my friends doing outdoor sketching and plein air painting along the streets in El Pueblo de Los Angeles and touring the beautiful architecture of Victorian houses in Pasadena.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shoutout to my friend Jun Chao Sim in Singapore. Jun has been a constant source of encouragement and support throughout my journey. Her belief in me and my work has been a driving force behind my success. I am grateful for her friendship and for the many contributions she has made to my life. She is a huge source of inspiration for me. Despite our different interests, we can help each other out and provide new insights to each other in terms of our own creations.

Website: https://xinyiwuu.wixsite.com/portfolio

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wxy.za/

Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/wu-xin-yi-58ba49227

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FATALERROR3