Keeping a personal voice and a recognizable style

1. How did you start creating illustrations? What inspired you to become an illustrator?

It all started with fan art and zines in middle school and high school comic club, I then pursued illustration as a major at art college.

2. How did your illustration style develop? How would you define your own style?

My style of illustration is influenced by the industry I worked in; I recently became more involved in editorial and publishing and the tech world. Based on the nature of the industry, I prefer a flat, quick, and recognizable style. My style switched a little bit in each job depending on requirements. In general, I enjoy highly contrasting and powerful images to catch the modern viewer’s eye that are flooded with stimulation.

3. Where do you usually find inspiration for your work? Are there any recurring themes or elements in your illustrations?

I always want to add narrative and immersive feelings to the illustrations, which come from the movies or novels I was inspired by. I favor Sci-fi, road movies, games, novels, nature, and many more.

4. Could you share your creative process? What steps do you usually take from initial idea to finished artwork?

I start with collecting images for mood boards and reference photos. I will then move on to sketches (I normally present 2-3 options to clients, but there will be more on my sketchbook). After the client picks the direction to go for, I will pull up a TV show or reality show and push the sketch to the finish level.

Illustration by Iris Lei

5. What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your creative process, and how did you overcome it?

Sketching is the most challenging part. I have to balance clients’ demands, my personal aesthetic and interest, the schedule, the budget, and find a smart and interesting way to approach the challenge.

6. What tools and mediums do you prefer to use for your illustrations (e.g., hand-drawing, watercolor, digital art)? Why?

I use Procreate on iPad for quick turnovers and Mac+Cintiq for elaborate work such as book covers. I also enjoy physical illustration, and I am trying to find a way to interpret it into commercial work.

7. What projects or collaborations have you worked on? Is there one that particularly impressed or impacted you?

I had a lot of fun working on book covers as I get longer time on book projects. It is always fun to bring exciting stories to life.

Illustration by Iris Lei

8. As an illustrator, how do you balance commercial projects with personal creations?

I would separate commercial projects from personal work. My personal work links to my daily life and my time spent with friends. Commercial works, I don’t have too much control over them, it solves other’s problems.

9. The illustration market is very competitive. How did you carve out your own space in the industry?

Keeping a personal voice and a recognizable style helps to get recognition from art directors and clients.

10. In your opinion, what role does illustration play as an art form in today’s society?

In the community aspect, illustration serves as an outlet for today’s generation; it is especially influential on the internet. In the commercial end, the need for image-making will continue to thrive in the modern visual world.

11. How do you view the role of illustration in publishing, branding, or other commercial fields?

The illustration is perfect for translating fictional work and abstract ideas. It sets the tone and atmosphere of the story or brand identity.

12. What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators? How can they find their own direction?

Keep the passion and keep creating.

13. What plans or expectations do you have for your future work or illustration career? Are there new fields you would like to explore?

I would like to improve my graphic design skill and typography skills, I wish to combine illustration and graphic design to unlock more potential.

1. How did you start creating illustrations? What inspired you to become an illustrator?

2. How did your illustration style develop? How would you define your own style?

3. Where do you usually find inspiration for your work? Are there any recurring themes or elements in your illustrations?

4. Could you share your creative process? What steps do you usually take from initial idea to finished artwork?

5. What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your creative process, and how did you overcome it?

6. What tools and mediums do you prefer to use for your illustrations (e.g., hand-drawing, watercolor, digital art)? Why?

7. What projects or collaborations have you worked on? Is there one that particularly impressed or impacted you?

8. As an illustrator, how do you balance commercial projects with personal creations?

9. The illustration market is very competitive. How did you carve out your own space in the industry?

10. In your opinion, what role does illustration play as an art form in today’s society?

11. How do you view the role of illustration in publishing, branding, or other commercial fields?

12. What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators? How can they find their own direction?

13. What plans or expectations do you have for your future work or illustration career? Are there new fields you would like to explore?

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Keeping a personal voice and a recognizable style

1. How did you start creating illustrations? What inspired you to become an illustrator?

2. How did your illustration style develop? How would you define your own style?

3. Where do you usually find inspiration for your work? Are there any recurring themes or elements in your illustrations?

4. Could you share your creative process? What steps do you usually take from initial idea to finished artwork?

5. What is the biggest challenge you have faced during your creative process, and how did you overcome it?

6. What tools and mediums do you prefer to use for your illustrations (e.g., hand-drawing, watercolor, digital art)? Why?

7. What projects or collaborations have you worked on? Is there one that particularly impressed or impacted you?

8. As an illustrator, how do you balance commercial projects with personal creations?

9. The illustration market is very competitive. How did you carve out your own space in the industry?

10. In your opinion, what role does illustration play as an art form in today’s society?

11. How do you view the role of illustration in publishing, branding, or other commercial fields?

12. What advice would you give to aspiring illustrators? How can they find their own direction?

13. What plans or expectations do you have for your future work or illustration career? Are there new fields you would like to explore?

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