Meet Jun Yuan Liu

We recently connected with Jun Yuan Liu and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jun Yuan, thank you for joining us today and sharing your experiences and acquired wisdom with us. Burnout is a huge topic these days and so we’d love to kick things off by discussing your thoughts on overcoming or avoiding burnout

Overcoming or avoiding burnout as a 3D artist has been a real journey for me. There were definitely times when I felt overwhelmed or on the brink of exhaustion. The key for me has been about finding a balance and staying inspired.

It can be so easy to get caught up in the long hours and details of creating digital worlds. I’ve found that stepping back is crucial, whether it means taking breaks or just not overcommitting to projects. I try to give myself some time away from the screen, like going for a walk in nature or hanging out with friends and family, which really helps me recharge.

Something else that keeps me going is finding inspiration from different sources. I love watching environmental and nature documentaries; they spark new ideas and remind me of the beauty and complexity of real-world environments. It’s a great way to fuel my creativity and keep my work feeling fresh.

Being connected with other artists is also super important. Whether it’s through online communities or meeting up in person, having a group of people who get it makes a big difference. We share tips, talk about our struggles, and celebrate successes, which helps me feel less alone and more supported.

I also try to celebrate the small wins along the way. It’s easy to get hung up on what’s not going right, but taking a moment to appreciate when something goes well—like getting the perfect texture or lighting just right—keeps me motivated. These little moments of joy remind me why I love doing what I do and help me avoid burnout.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a 3D artist/illustrator specializing in environment art. For those unfamiliar with 3D art or computer graphics, my work essentially involves sitting in front of screens manipulating computer-generated cubes. Sometimes, it’s a highly elaborate cube that transforms into a short film, featuring an entire action sequences on a moving train. Other times, it’s just a Daruma peacefully bouncing in a serene forest. In my free time, I also create digital illustrations, focusing on storytelling pieces with original sets and characters.

What’s most exciting and special about being a 3D environment artist is the ability to create immersive worlds from scratch. There’s something magical about starting with a blank canvas and then bringing to life an entire environment with its own mood, atmosphere, and story. I love the moment when all the elements—textures, lighting, and assets—come together to create a space that feels alive and real. It’s like playing with the world’s most advanced set of Legos, but without the risk of stepping on one barefoot.

Being a 3D artist is always a fresh and exciting ride because technology is constantly evolving. There are constantly new features to learn and experiment with. For me, working with real-time rendering programs like Unreal Engine has been a game-changer. They allow for the creation of incredibly detailed and dynamic environments that can be experienced in real time. And with features like ray tracing, we can now achieve photorealistic lighting and reflections. Sometimes I feel like I created a real life movie set in my small monitor.

Another interest of mine is adding color and texture to 3D props with 3D surfacing programs. These tools let me paint directly on 3D models. The level of detail and customization they offer is incredible, making it so much easier to create realistic and unique textures. I have a lot of fun recreating Bob Ross’s happy little trees in my digital world with these incredible tools at my disposal!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

If I have to narrow down valuable lessons I’ve learned on my artistic journey down to three things, it’ll be seeking out mentorship, staying curious, and keeping an attention to detail.
Finding and reaching out to mentors from the industry who could guide and inspire me was incredibly valuable. Connecting with experienced professionals can give you advice you won’t find in any tutorial. Even Though to a socially awkward person like me, introducing myself to a stranger always feels very daunting, I can’t believe the amount of friendly responses I’ve got from just cold-emailing or sliding into DMs. I’d encourage everyone to make the first step to reach out to artists you admire!

Curiosity and exploration have also been super important. Whether it’s messing around with the latest software, or just going for a walk and accidentally getting lost in a new neighborhood, curiosity keeps my creativity flowing. My advice is to not be afraid of falling down random rabbit holes, because you’ll never know the adventure ahead.

And then there’s attention to detail. This has been crucial for creating environments that feel real and immersive. The little things really do matter—like adding subtle grunges, scratches, and dirt marks to textures or adding mists and fogs to the atmosphere can make a huge difference. For me, I found that always gathering a large amount of real-life references to be particularly helpful in elevating my art.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

One book that comes to mind is Computer Graphics from Scratch by Gabriel Gambetta, which gives a broad overview of how computer rendering algorithms works from a software engineer’s perspective. I’m really glad I came across it by accident at my local library’s computer section. The way it breaks down complex concepts such as raytracing and rasterizing into easy-to-understand bits is perfect, especially for someone who’s more creatively inclined rather than technically. As the book walks through how functional renderers used in animation and game engines are built, it really helped me grasp the fundamentals behind the software and tools I use, making me feel more confident in what I do.

One of the most valuable things I took away from the book is the understanding of how shaders works at a low level. It took the mystery out of how lighting, shading, and textures are calculated and applied. It’s like getting a sneak peek behind the curtains of the GPU, which has been super enlightening.

Another big takeaway was about optimizing graphics. The book explains how to keep things running smoothly without sacrificing quality, which is a big deal in game development and interactive media. It taught me to be mindful of asset usage and how to get the best visuals without causing performance loss. That’s been a lifesaver on projects where performance is crucial.

And then getting to see the process of building a raytracer and a rasterizer from scratch using pseudocode is also magical. The hands-on approach this book uses allowed someone with no coding experience like me realize these concepts aren’t as intimidating as they seem. It’s one thing to know how to do these things in a tool, but knowing the math behind them has given me more control and creativity in my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://junliu532317590.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/junliuart/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jun-yuan-liu/