Story & Lesson Highlights with Kiuyan Ran

We recently had the chance to connect with Kiuyan Ran and have shared our conversation below.

Kiuyan, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Most mornings are pretty simple: I check messages, make a cup of coffee, and sit down with some music before starting work. On a few days each week, I begin with an hour-long workout instead, which always gives me extra energy for the day.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a New York–based illustrator and art supervisor whose work spans across books, games, and music. Over the years my art has found its way onto book covers, magazines, and albums, and I’ve also collaborated with major game titles and creative studios. These experiences have taught me how visual storytelling can move fluidly across different media and connect with different audiences. Currently, I work as a Senior Concept Art Outsource Supervisor at Blizzard Entertainment on Diablo IV.

What I love most is creating work rooted in stories and legends. I’m drawn to characters and the emotions they carry—whether inspired by literature, mythology, or imagined worlds. My goal is to capture that sense of wonder in a way that feels vivid and lasting, so that others can step into the worlds I imagine and experience them for themselves.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I’ve learned the most from the people I’ve had the privilege to work alongside—mentors, colleagues, clients, and fellow artists. Each has shaped my understanding from a different angle: resilience and dedication from peers, clarity of vision from mentors, a sense of how creativity resonates within a broader context from clients, and inspiration from the artists I admire.
Together, they taught me to hold two perspectives at once: the artist’s side, driven by passion and craft, and the vision-shaping side, charged with steering the course. That balance hasn’t just shaped how I work, it continues to define the way I grow.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Art and friendship carried me through those moments. I often turned to books, films, and drawing as ways to find calm and focus. Immersing myself in stories and images gave me a sense of steadiness when emotions felt overwhelming.
Over time, many of my closest friends came from the art field as well. With them, I found both inspiration and companionship. We moved from discussing art to sharing life, supporting one another through ups and downs. That combination of art as a refuge and friends as companions not only comforted me but also gave me the courage to keep going, and they still remind me how deeply creativity and community are connected.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I grew up in a competitive environment where success was often measured by how close one came to the very top. That belief took root early,I thought that unless I could match the masters of the industry, the work didn’t truly count. For years, the standard was followed with relentless discipline, rarely questioned for whether it was fair or sustainable.

In time, it became clear that this mindset narrows vision rather than expands it. Measuring everything against rare brilliance leaves little room for growth or discovery. What endures instead is the steady effort of creating work that holds meaning and integrity, something solid enough to stand by in the present, without needing to mirror the impossible.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the simplest moments, being with friends, or just watching my cat sleep and eat. It’s a reminder of how precious the present can be.

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