Meet Yibo Xu | Storyboard Artist & Director
We had the good fortune of connecting with Yibo Xu and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Yibo, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
It all started with that delightful feeling of “Yeah! My brain is working while doing this!” As I explored animation, I realized that designing and the visual storytelling aspect of animation, in particular, kept my brain active. The solid feeling that I’m building my own philosophy and developing my creative vision brings me immense satisfaction—it’s a gift from committing to an artistic journey.
To me, being in a creative career is like a cycle of exposing myself to the unknown, feeling vulnerable, and tackling struggles. It’s challenging and sometimes painful, but it also allows us to enjoy and savor the sweetness of life even more. Looking back on ourselves over time and realizing we are progressing and becoming more seasoned individuals brings such a profound level of joy!
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artworks tend to be moody, dreamy, and fun all at the same time! I strive to articulate feelings that resonate with our generation — themes of uncertainty, the sense of being caught in a liminal, transitional space, unsure of the future, and tinged with nostalgia. These motifs are increasingly evident in my recent animated works, where characters voice their concerns while exploring a surreal, lucid-dream-like world. As an artist who tends to think retrospectively, my goal is to convey my understanding of our surroundings through my works, using my unique storytelling style to connect with a broader audience. I want my audience to feel, “This is cool and I’m feeling quite the same way!” after watching my film.
There’s an important lesson I learned, which is also the biggest challenge: there is no single correct philosophy, only the philosophy that works for you. Throughout our journey, many people will tell you what you should do. Treat those different methodologies like you are grocery shopping. They may look fancy and all make sense in their way, but at the end of the day, it is you who decides what you want to do with them and which ones work best for you. Gradually try them out and pick the ones that work for you, so a uniquely seasoned dish can be made!
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 love LA for its incredibly diverse cultures and landscapes. I would definitely drive my friends around the city to try the most authentic spots and local experiences! Here are some of my favorites: an energetic day hiking in the northern mountains to see the skyline, followed by a comforting beef soup in K-town at night; thrift shopping and a cool night concert at Highland Park; spending a day at the gorgeous Huntington Gardens and finishing it at one of the authentic Asian restaurants in the nearby SGV area; a chill walk under the Manhattan Beach sunset while enjoying ice cream. LA is like a condensed world; its diversity creates infinite possibilities and truly is the charm of this land.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I was born in a small place, and it was the support and influence of countless people that sculpted me and allowed me to chase my dream in LA. I want to thank my parents for their unconditional love and open-mindedness; my teachers and mentors, and the artists who selflessly shared their insights, showing me what I could achieve; and my cohorts and friends for helping me become a more complete person.
There’s a particular group of people I want to give special credit to. During the pandemic, I spent a lot of time online, specifically on a chatting platform called VRChat, where people can have face-to-face interactions in virtual worlds. In that chaotic, isolated time, I was lucky to make friends from all over the globe. It was my first time making deep connections with people outside my immediate environment, and it taught me a critical lesson: even though in real life we are isolated by rules, borders, and often stereotypes, deep down, people are people. Feelings like loneliness, uncertainty, and curiosity are the same no matter where you come from. Those VRChat friends really helped me become aware of who I am as an individual and be brave and open to embracing the bigger world.
Website: https://www.yibozone.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yiboeebow?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
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