Meet YueTong Tsen: Layout and Prop Designer

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

Hi YueTong, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
During the past year, maintaining a daily routine has really helped me stay focused and excel. I start my mornings by journaling about the day before, reflecting on what I accomplished, and noting how I felt. My workday begins with checking emails and DMs, and then I hunker down to work on my projects or schoolwork. I like to bundle smaller tasks together, tackle them all in one go, and then focus on one art piece at a time. My day ends with a workout and watching TV or playing video games. Compartmentalizing my activities keeps me excited about every part of my day.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My work comes from a uniquely queer and Asian American perspective. As the oldest child in an immigrant family, I had to be a self-starter to gain footing in the art world. I did not know anything about the animation industry until a year into college and had to make opportunities for myself when the pandemic hit. I virtually interned with Lucky Jefferson, a literary journal striving to uplift marginalized voices, and illustrated for #HateIsAVirus, the grassroots movement combating xenophobia against Asian Americans.

Now, I am graduating college with a BFA in illustration and a minor in anthropology. I am proud of how far I have come as an artist and I am excited to continuing learning as I start my career.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend (Hi, Michaela) were to visit, I would take her to all my favorite brunch spots in the area. Early Bird, the Hello Kitty Café, Café Maji, and Urth Caffe are some of my favorites! Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My girlfriend, Sunshine (@storybysunshine on Instagram), is my biggest supporter. We met in a life drawing class and had only been dating for two months before the pandemic hit Southern California. At the time, I lived in an off-campus apartment, but Sunshine lived in a dorm and was ordered to move out within the week. We took the leap and moved in together – and have been living together ever since.

Sunshine’s love and encouragement has been the backbone of my success. She is a supporter of my rigorous academic career, constantly teaches me new things, and listens to me blab about what is happening in Animal Crossing. We have worked on several short films together, including a stop-motion short that won first place in the College of the Arts’ Art Together Now contest. Currently, we are animating our senior thesis film, Cat Rescue, expected to release at the end of the year.

Website: https://yuetongtsen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artofyuetong/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuetongtsen/