Vikki Zhang and Her Artistic Journey
1. How did your artistic style develop? What are some of your main sources of inspiration?
I've recently become deeply passionate about life drawing, always carrying my small black sketchbook. The changing seasons captivate me; nature is an endless wellspring of inspiration. Additionally, I draw inspiration from literature, cinema, fashion, branding, and packaging design. Reading the articles and interviews of the remarkable artists and designers, then take notes. Travel, of course, is another significant source of inspiration.
Illustration by Vikki
2. What is your working day like?
I usually wake up between 6:00 and 7:00 AM, and I like to start my day by taking 10 minutes to create a to-do list. By 7:45 AM, I aim to have finished my workout. At 8:00 AM, I made myself fresh coffee and start with the most important task of the day.Around noon, I take a break, walk, call my parents, and find a cozy restaurant to eat, bringing my kindle, sketchbook and iPad, use that time to read and journal. In the early afternoon, I typically produce a sketch I'm happy with, which sets the tone for a immersive afternoon of drawing and painting. If I don’t have any evening commitments, I often enjoy working after dinner from 8:00 PM to 10:00PM. On days when I’ve wrapped up most of my tasks, I take a slower morning: I’ll sit in a café or a book bar, enjoying breakfast and catching up on reading and studying until about 12:00PM, before heading to my studio. One key principle I follow is working in focused blocks of time—usually 3-hour sessions. I also think it’s crucial to get enough sleep and avoid overthinking. I recently started using Notion to manage both my illustration projects and personal life, and I highly recommend it. It feels great to have everything organized and under control.
Illustration by Vikki
3. Do you have any favorite art tools or mediums? What draws you to them?
I gravitate towards opaque watercolor, sketchbooks, pencils, acrylic gouache, ink, and dip pens. These traditional media evoke a sense of nostalgia and offer a welcome respite from digital tools. I appreciate the freedom, energy flow, and inherent imperfections in the drawings I create with these materials. There's a distinctly human quality to the work produced with these tools.
Illustration by Vikki
4. Your work often conveys a sense of emotion or story—how do you weave that into your art?
Emotion is indeed at the core of my work. Any artwork that stirs my emotions instantly captures my attention, and I strive to create the same effect in my own pieces. I simply create what I love and what reflects my thoughts. I constantly remind myself to be authentic, honest, and maintain a straightforward relationship with my artwork. This approach allows me to create pieces that resonate with others. It's a time-consuming process, and I believe it's crucial to be patient and invest the necessary time to accurately convey your intended message through your artwork. This can be challenging, but it's ultimately rewarding.
5. In your view, what qualities make for a successful young illustrator?
Success and youth are subjective concepts. For me, success as an illustrator means creating emotionally resonant work that I'm passionate about, and finding joy and fulfillment in both my personal and professional life. As long as I maintain my curiosity about the world and continue to seek out new learning opportunities, I consider myself young in spirit. It's more about mindset than age.
Illustration by Vikki
6. Congratulations on receiving this year’s ADC Award ! How do you think this recognition will help with your career development?
The ADC award has been a valuable addition to my professional profile. Like other prestigious accolades, it serves as a form of industry recognition that can help build trust with potential clients or employers.
7. How do you see the future of the illustration industry? Any trends that have caught your interest?
With the rise of AI, I believe human artists will increasingly focus on work that uniquely requires human qualities such as empathy, personal values, critical thinking, and craftsmanship. One interesting trend is that AI is making complex tools more accessible. Software for animation or 3D modeling, which once required extensive training, is becoming more user-friendly and even available on mobile devices like iPads. I now carry my iPad everywhere, and it has become as essential to my process as my sketchbook.
8. As a young artist, how do you balance personal expression with market needs?
I find it's most effective to identify the intersection between your unique strengths as an artist and market needs. This creates a win-win situation where you can enjoy your work and continually refine your style, making it more distinctive and irreplaceable, while also creating work that resonates with your audience. They appreciate the authenticity and positive energy in your art. Ideally, each project contributes to making the world a more beautiful and interesting place.
Illustration by Vikki
9. How do you handle stress and maintain a healthy mindset under the pressure of creating?
I try to stay focused on the present moment and do my best, trusting that this approach will lead to positive outcomes. If things don't go as planned, I remind myself that some factors are beyond my control and try to let go of unnecessary stress. I don't force myself to work when I'm feeling overwhelmed. Instead, I might take time to read, chill with my family and friends, jot down inspiring quotes, enjoy a good movie , or have a quiet moment of self-reflection. These practices are crucial for maintaining balance. However, I always enjoy putting on my headphones and sketching whatever jump up in my mind like a child in my notebook, starting with pencil and then adding color with acrylics, crayons, or watercolors. This creative outlet helps me stay conscious and know myself better.
Illustration by Vikki
10. Are there any artists or mentors who’ve had a big impact on you?
Marcel Duchamp has been a major influence; I vividly remember reading an interview with him before a flight to New York, which left a lasting impression. Recently, I traveled to Helsinki to explore Tove Jansson's work, and in the process, I discovered Alvar Aalto and Hugo Simberg. Travel often leads to these kinds of artistic discoveries and educational experiences for me.
11. Do you have a dream project or ideal collaboration? Could you tell us more?
Yes, I aspire to establish another brand. I have a growing sense that I haven't yet fully tapped into my potential, and there's a specific type of work that only I can create. This is what I aim to focus on in the coming years. To achieve this, I need to maintain a consistent practice of sketching, reflecting, writing, thinking deeply, staying true to myself, and having confidence in my abilities and vision.
Illustration by Vikki
Illustration by Vikki
12. If you weren’t an illustrator, what career path do you think you’d be on?
If I weren't an illustrator, I could see myself as a fashion designer, interior designer, or architect. These fields all involve creative visual thinking and designing spaces or objects that interact with people's daily lives, which aligns with my interests and skills.
Photo of Vikki
13. What advice or encouragement would you give to young illustrators just starting out?
Be patient with your progress, trust the process and nurture the pure creative energy within you. Stay conscious to the world around you. Remember that your life is happening now, not just when you achieve your ideal of being an artist. Every breath, every moment is part of your artistic journey. Strive to be a kind person and cultivate a special connection with the world. Focus on how you spend your time and the process of creation, rather than solely on the end result. Your unique perspective and experiences are what will make your art stand out.
Photo of Vikki