Meet Zihao Jin | Game Art Director & Senior Concept Artist & Design Instructor

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

Hi Zihao, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Most of the time, I`m a workaholic, focusing on my work and technical improvement. However, since having my daughter, I’ve started to pay more attention to life. I must say that balancing work and life is always a bit challenging, but I now believe that a good life experience and relaxation can also make the limited work practice more focused. Nowadays, I make it a point not to work from the afternoon to the evening, opting to go out with my family, enjoy some good food, and then go to bed early. This also makes it easier for me to wake up early, usually around 5 a.m., and sometimes even at 4 a.m., to get started on work-related tasks. I must say, the focus in the early morning is much better than in the afternoon!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When I was young, I loved looking up at the stars. Back then, there was no light pollution, and from my house’s rooftop, I could almost see the Milky Way. I often fantasized about seeing a giant spaceship fly by, an idea that even made its way into my dreams, where I would be incredibly excited and anxious.

Then, I began to sketch battleships fighting in the sky, complete with my dialogues and sound effects, often drawing crowds of classmates around me. Even during the day, my desk would be surrounded, blocking the light, which greatly motivated me to pursue this profession.

In the early days of my career, I felt like a fish in water. The design sector of the gaming industry was like a vast ocean where I could sail freely, exploring various ideas. Of course, this process required daily practice because it also exposed me to many outstanding artists and their works, which amazed me anew and made me realize I had much room for improvement.

I have always been passionate about creating designs with sci-fi themes, especially spaceships and machinery. This passion stems from my childhood days of gazing at the stars, which has fueled many ideas in my projects, such as those I contributed to in “Star Wars,” “EVE,” and “Foundation.”

For a while, I even got up at 4 AM daily to draw. This quantitative accumulation helped me overcome many challenges, but ultimately, it was my original interest that kept me going. When you have a deep passion for a field, any problem can be solved because you have enough perseverance.

Of course, all this wasn’t easy. Persistence is often challenging, as life has other matters to attend to and focus on. Later, I slowly discovered that achieving a better work-life balance allowed me to persist more calmly. Setting long-term goals, rather than rushing for quick success, is crucial, as many things need to be resolved gradually.

I’m excited for more people to see my sci-fi design works and ideas. I hope to bring some of my works beyond digital media, perhaps materializing them for exhibitions or turning them into toy products. Additionally,

I`m launching a series of works to explore more ideas. Since 2015, I have also been offering online concept design courses. I am eager to share my design thinking and processes.

This course has helped many students better understand design and engage in their desired careers. I hope more people will become acquainted with my courses.

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 often take friends to the nearby Lake Tai, which is one of the five largest freshwater lakes in China and ranks third.

It’s only about a fifteen-minute drive from my home. My family and I frequently come here for walks, where all you can see is the lake’s water.

Looking into the distance, the sky seems to meet the lake at the horizon, and you can feel the moist breeze. In the evening, I recommend setting up a tent here, bringing a projector, a screen, and some snacks and drinks.

We can watch the sunset and sunrise by the lake while chatting. Late at night, we can gaze at the stars and indulge in our fantasies.

Every day, I take friends to try local delicacies, such as Xiaolongbao. We also go to see the natural scenery.

The city where I live is rich in historical sites and fresh natural landscapes. It is a hub of South China’s Jiangnan culture, where you can see many elegant ancient buildings and pathways. It’s a great opportunity to relax, unwind, and clear your mind.

In my view, the most interesting and exciting thing is to gaze at the stars in a place free of light pollution with family and friends.

At such times, one can extend their spirit to the vastness of infinity, accompanied by the imagination of the universe’s enormity. It’s a chance to share thoughts and ideas.

Faced with the starry sky, people often express creative and bold ideas, which is a relaxing and joyful experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I especially want to recommend a movie that was immensely helpful to me during a period of emotional lows—The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

It’s inevitable for people to experience negative emotions in life, whether related to personal matters or work. Often, we may even lose sight of our goals, doubt ourselves, and feel uncertain about what to do in the future.

The movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty almost perfectly mirrors my inner world. It provides an answer: to boldly try new things without overthinking, to witness nature with our own eyes. In comparison, our internal struggles and confusions seem much smaller.

For a while, I watched The Secret Life of Walter Mitty almost every morning. It was a tremendous encouragement, and I am grateful to the filmmakers.

Website: https://www.artstation.com/jinzh

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jinzh-/

Youtube: @jinzh2021

Image Credits
I own the copyright to the photo.