We recently connected with Nine Zhao and have shared our conversation below.
Nine, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
As an illustrator, I’ve realized that my creativity isn’t an endless, innate resource—it’s cultivated through thoughtful practice and observation of life. At the beginning of 2024, I hit a low point. I hadn’t received any offers for graduate school admissions and took a job in HR at a social media company, where I spent my days interviewing and screening livestream hosts. The work was exhausting and completely unrelated to my field or interests. I lacked the energy and mindset to create any finished pieces and started judging the work I had made before.
Looking back on that time, the one thing I’m most grateful for is that I didn’t give up on sketching in my sketchbook. Even though I was drained of imagination and energy, I maintained the habit of sketching. During those moments, I found brief reprieves from stress. My chaotic thoughts would gradually clear, and I could focus on tangible things rather than anxiety about the future.
The sketches may have seemed ordinary—just recordings of what was before me—but my attention began to shift. I started noticing interesting people and tiny, delightful details in life. I observed people talking in parks, passersby, a tree, countless squirrels, and the hum of busy coffee shops where baristas called out names. I noticed the interior décor, a small lamp, and the packaging of goods on shelves. These moments of observing and sketching drew me into my surroundings.
By the time I was close to finishing the sketchbook, I realized I had gathered countless ideas and inspirations—all born from my persistent practice. Later that year, I received an offer from MICA and began a new phase of learning and creating. I can confidently say that nearly every idea for my projects has come from my sketchbook.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hey, my name is Nine Zhao, I am an editorial illustrator. I do illustrations for prints and also non-print gifs. I completed my undergraduate studies at SVA in 2019 and am currently pursuing my graduate degree in illustration at MICA. My work often explores themes like monsters, nature, technology, animals, mental health, LGBTQIA+ topics, and fantasy. I love observing people and paying attention to small things going on in our lives, depicting what I observe in creative visuals, and I’m happy to help others to do so.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Persistence, Planning, and Reading
I understand how difficult it can be to find something you’re passionate about and stick with it in today’s fast-paced world. Maybe the key is to start with simple, manageable steps. For instance, I keep two sketchbooks: one for realistic sketches I take outdoors and another for casual doodles. My doodle sketchbook feels more liberating—I draw strange creatures, abstract shapes, and moods without worrying about creating polished compositions or showing them to anyone. It’s my personal space for relaxed creativity.
Planning and following through is especially helpful when life gets busy or when tackling big projects that make balancing work and life tricky. I love writing out my daily and weekly plans, breaking large tasks into smaller steps, and checking them off as I go. At the end of each month, I review what I’ve accomplished, and seeing those small wins accumulate gives me a real sense of achievement. I also like tackling less enjoyable tasks—like housework or laundry—first so I can spend the rest of my time fully focused on learning and creating.
Reading is like traveling for the mind and soul when physical travel isn’t possible. As a creator, experiencing the world firsthand is invaluable—seeing new places and living through diverse experiences enrich creativity. But when resources and time are limited, reading is the next best thing. Every book I finish leaves me with new ideas and a deeper well of inspiration for my work.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
For me, I aim to improve in areas where I’m less skilled to become a more well-rounded creator. In the illustration industry, the current job market isn’t ideal—especially with the state of the global economy, where art is often the first to be sidelined. That’s why I want to learn more skills, related to the creation, such as graphic design, animation, and 3D modeling.
Exploring fields I wasn’t previously confident in allows me to uncover more of my potential and discover new directions for growth. At the same time, these skills can complement and enhance the areas where I excel, pushing my illustration work to a higher level. Each new skill acts as a tool to expand both my creative possibilities and professional versatility.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ninezhao.com
- Instagram: @ninezhao_art
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