We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Xinyi Wu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Xinyi, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Growing up in a traditional Chinese family, I was taught to never give up, no matter how challenging the situation. As a competitive child, I consistently chose the toughest paths and strived to outdo others, driven by a desire to be the best. I aim to achieve my full potential and continually seek my purpose and passion. My life goals push me to constantly improve, and I’m always curious to see how far I can go. Additionally, I receive tremendous support from my friends and family. I want to make them proud and bring us all to new heights together.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an aspiring designer who wishes to work in the entertainment, motion graphics, and graphic design industry. I’m passionate about designing and solving design problems. My work varies widely, and I’m highly adaptable to different styles and mediums. I have experience in multiple fields, including entertainment, motion graphics, illustration, and graphic design. My specialization lies in designing backgrounds and environments for animation, and I’ve worked on animated film production from the early conceptual stages to post-production. I’ve also developed game assets and created trailers for various projects.
Working in teams and delivering multiple projects has been a significant part of my experience. My art is inspired by a wide range of sources, from mid-century animation to Studio Ghibli films and Bauhaus designs. This diverse range of influences has profoundly impacted my work, making me open to art in all its forms and allowing me to adapt my style to suit any project. In my free time, I enjoy creating illustrations and doodling in my sketchbooks, observing life around me. I love working with a pen, capturing my surroundings on paper, and incorporating these into my work.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
One of the most important qualities in my journey has been the courage to take risks. It’s easy to fear stepping out of our comfort zones, worried that we might fail or disappoint others. As a perfectionist, I found it hard to take risks because I was afraid of not living up to my own or others’ expectations. However, I realized that the act of trying itself is commendable and that the experience gained is often more valuable than the result. When I decided to transfer from Digipen Institute of Technology Singapore to Art Center College of Design, it was a huge step. Moving abroad and starting from scratch was terrifying, but I knew I had to give myself the chance to live the life I wanted, regardless of the outcome.
Another key quality is being open-minded and eager to learn. In middle school, I was narrow-minded in my artistic tastes, which limited my growth. It wasn’t until I educated myself more about art history and the broader art world that I understood the importance of drawing inspiration from various sources. This openness not only brings life to my work but also helps me see things from new perspectives. I’m always excited to learn new things, whether it’s software, techniques, or keeping up with the latest technology. For me, having a broad interest in entertainment, graphic design, fine art, and architecture has enriched my work and expanded my horizons.
Finally, giving my best in everything I do is another principle I hold dear. Even if a subject doesn’t interest me, I believe in putting in my best effort because you never know what you might learn. When I set my sights on something, I act on it wholeheartedly. People notice hard work and effort, and these qualities often lead to unexpected opportunities.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
I have a unique perspective on this. I’ve never considered myself particularly strong in any one area. In school, I was the average student, producing mid-level work even when I tried hard. This might be due to laziness, a lack of “talent,” or just not improving as quickly as others. It seemed like everyone else had a niche or specialty they excelled in, while I didn’t. I liked too many things, which led me to constantly learn new things rather than honing a single craft.
Teachers and industry professionals often advise focusing on your strengths to stand out, which made me feel insecure about not having a clear specialty. However, I’ve come to realize that some people, like myself, aren’t meant to focus solely on their strengths. Instead, we thrive by exploring multiple interests and expanding beyond our comfort zones. While focusing on strengths can lead to great success, being well-rounded is a valuable skill too. It allows us to be flexible, adaptable, and capable of fulfilling roles that require diverse skills.
In my case, while I’m interested in entertainment, motion graphics, illustration, and graphic design, I wouldn’t consider myself the best in any of these fields. However, my knowledge across these areas allows me to create cross-disciplinary work and draw inspiration from a variety of sources. Interestingly, being “mediocre” in multiple skills has made me stand out in my own way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://xinyiwuu.wixsite.com/portfolio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wxy.za/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wu-xin-yi-58ba49227/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@FATALERROR3
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
