Meet Yazhi Zheng | Illustrator & Motion Graphics Designer

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

Hi Yazhi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Under the influence of my family, I had a strong interest in painting since I was a child. I remember the happiest times were when I visited my grandfather’s house to play on weekends. Grandpa was passionate about calligraphy and art. He not only collected many related books but also instructed me according to their content. Fortunately, while other children my age liked to play outdoors, I preferred to stay at home painting and doing crafts. Perhaps because of this nature, I not only did not dislike the seemingly boring practice and grandfather’s lessons, but I grew to love them more and more. Additionally, my uncle gave me all his old sketchbooks, providing me with even more time to swim in the ocean of art. My mother also used to love oil painting, and her past works were displayed at home. She was pleased to see my enthusiasm for art… These supports allowed me to participate in systematic art extracurricular classes at the age of four. Under the guidance of my teacher, I competed in an international children’s competition and won the silver medal. This small achievement surprised me and strengthened my determination to pursue art.

When I reached middle school, I faced an important decision: whether to attend a regular school or an art school. I never thought I was talented and believed that the road to art would be full of hardships. Unexpectedly, my art teacher had complete confidence in me. She told my parents many times that I was suited for art. Her repeated encouragement increased my and my parents’ confidence and made me decide to give myself a chance. This opportunity led me to the path of art. I became increasingly proactive in pursuing art, set goals for myself, and finally embarked on the path of an art career.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
People often imagine that artists are in the studio with paint and canvas, using their imagination and creativity in a pure environment to create amazing works of art. In fact, art creation is never a simple thing. Extraordinary perception and an accumulation of knowledge are indispensable.

As an artist with an illustration background who turned to motion graphic design, this cross-industry learning and exploration have been a challenge for me. In learning and working, I maintain high standards for myself. Because of this self-requirement, I often tense my nerves and seize any opportunity to make progress. As a newcomer in the industry, I still have a lot of experience and skills to learn.

In college, I regarded every assignment as a real project. School assignments were usually commercial and closely related to the industry, which allowed me to become familiar with the process and development of the industry while completing each assignment. When I recalled that time, the frustration and collapse every time the deadline arrived were real, but these experiences also became part of my self-sharpening.

I am proud to say that I combine illustration and animation art to show my exploration of nature and human nature. I like to use stylized characters and rich color palettes, which make my art unique. I grew up by the sea, and the beauty of water and nature deeply inspired my creations. I like to tell the story of people’s relationship with nature in my paintings, using rainbow colors to create an imaginative natural world, arousing the audience’s appreciation of nature and calm emotions, allowing people to take a breath in the busy modern society.

My work has won numerous awards, been exhibited around the world, and published in various publications. Among them, notable achievements include being selected and shown in the 66th Annual Exhibition of the Society of Illustrators, and being selected and published in Communication Arts in 2023. I hope that my work can become a sustenance of emotions, awakening people’s instinctive love and relaxed attitude towards nature.

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 traveled to many places and currently live in the New York area most of the time. This bustling city is full of energy and vitality, and each neighborhood has its own unique charm that impresses me.

New York has many famous attractions, such as Central Park, the Empire State Building, and Times Square, as well as various art galleries: The Met, MoMA, and the art corridor in the Chelsea area. Here, you can sit on the grass and enjoy the sun in your afternoon leisure time, admire oil paintings and sculptures in the magnificent art palaces, or stroll the streets of Manhattan and feel the hurried travelers and busy streets. As an economic and artistic center, New York’s inclusiveness allows people to always find space to breathe between work and leisure.

There are also many restaurants and bars here. As a food lover, I like to try various cuisines and record my favorite dishes to share with friends. Imagine a summer evening in New York, with the evening breeze blowing your hair, drinking a drink on a bench in an outdoor restaurant, enjoying the gradually falling night and the happy people talking. This kind of relaxation always makes me feel refreshed.

I love the intricate transportation and colorful social networks here. I like to listen to music while riding the subway and watch the scenery passing by quickly. I am willing to visit every corner here and enjoy the good times with my friends.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
In my artistic career, the encouragement of my family, friends, and teachers is indispensable. When I lack confidence or feel depressed, there are always people around me who support and help me adjust my mindset, enabling growth amidst adversity.

In my professional journey, I must thank my undergraduate thesis instructor, Lisk Feng, and my graduate thesis instructor, Gonzalo Janer. Lisk has extensive experience in the illustration industry. Her artistic style is unique. She has worked with multiple publishers and is known for her high efficiency. She has significantly influenced my creative style. From her, I learned how to incorporate text and narrative into illustrations effectively and to use the most effective ways to match colors and brushstrokes to enhance the visual effects of my works. She always addresses all my questions thoroughly, and I have significantly benefited from communicating with her.

In my exploration of the motion graphics industry, Gonzo’s influence and assistance to me cannot be overstated. He consistently and enthusiastically answers students’ questions and personally guides us through technical difficulties. He pays great attention to animation details and helps us develop and improve our animation skills. I am very grateful that he not only taught me but also provided career guidance. He consistently organizes various activities, including exhibitions, film festivals, and conferences, to strengthen our connections with industry professionals and to refer me for my current internship opportunity. I respect him greatly and thank him for his concern and support for our multifaceted development. These efforts are priceless.

Additionally, I am very grateful to my classmates. I recently graduated from SVA MFA Computer Arts. The interaction and communication with my classmates always motivate me and soothe my mind. They actively share footage, references, and job opportunities. The knowledge I have gained from them has significantly improved my design thinking and visual expression. I feel fortunate to have met these classmates and teachers. Their support and help have made me no longer feel alone on my artistic journey.

Website: https://www.yazhizheng.art/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yazhi-zheng-190419223/