Meet Ruby 呜哔うび

We were lucky to catch up with Ruby 呜哔うび recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ruby, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?

Cultivating empathy has been an unexpected journey that not only shaped my artistic style but also revolutionized my entire perspective on commercial art.

I understand why many artists hesitate to take on numerous VTuber design projects. They fear such work might be too commercial, lacking creative freedom. I once shared these concerns; however, it was precisely these challenges that nurtured my empathy and ultimately elevated my art to new heights.

Initially, like many, I believed commercial demands would constrain my artistic expression. But as I delved deeper into this field, I realized that each VTuber design was a unique challenge. It required me to deeply understand the story, personality, and target audience behind each character. This process of understanding and empathizing became an excellent opportunity to cultivate empathy.

My university years in Shanghai were pivotal. While my classmates were obsessed with luxury brands, I was immersed in the world of anime and manga. This cultural dissonance initially made me feel out of place but also forced me to understand and appreciate different values. This experience laid the foundation for handling diverse client needs later in my career.

When I began designing for over 270 VTubers, my biggest challenge was maintaining my artistic style while meeting client demands. Many artists worry that catering too much to clients will result in losing their personal touch. However, I discovered that true artistic skill lies in innovating within given parameters.

Each VTuber design became an exercise in finding freedom within constraints. I needed to understand client needs while cleverly incorporating my artistic vision. This process honed my creative thinking and problem-solving skills. I learned to find innovative possibilities in seemingly rigid requirements and to strike a delicate balance between commercial demands and artistic pursuits.

Taking on over 270 commissions on MiHuaShi and other platforms further reinforced these skills. Faced with such diverse demands, I had to quickly grasp each client’s ideas and find expressions that satisfied both the client and my personal style within limited timeframes. This required exceptional insight and adaptability.

Through these experiences, I gradually realized that true art isn’t about cloistering oneself in a personal bubble, but about having the ability to understand and integrate different perspectives and needs. Empathy allowed me to think from the client’s viewpoint while adding depth and resonance to my work.

I discovered that when I truly understood and accurately expressed the emotions and stories behind a character, my work resonated more widely. This resonance not only satisfied client needs but also elevated my artistic expression. Although my works originated from commercial needs, they ultimately presented my profound understanding of characters and emotions.

Now, I no longer view commercial demands and artistic pursuits as opposing forces. Instead, I see each commercial project as an opportunity for artistic challenge and growth.

To young artists worried that commercial work might compromise their artistic expression, I say: don’t fear challenges, and don’t underestimate any creative opportunity. True artistic ability lies in finding innovative possibilities within various constraints. Cultivating empathy and learning to understand different needs and perspectives will not only help you excel in commercial projects but also enrich your artistic creations.

Finally, I want to emphasize that empathy is not just a professional skill; it’s a life attitude. It enables me to better understand the world and create more meaningful, resonant works. Whether it’s anime-style creations or commercial designs, what truly touches people’s hearts are works that reflect humanity and convey emotions.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

My work focus has been constantly evolving and expanding. While I still take on vtuber design commissions, as I believe there’s still much room for innovation in this field, I’m also actively exploring new creative directions.

Recently, I’ve been collaborating with some industry friends to develop trendy IP products. This project particularly excites me because it allows me to extend 2D aesthetic concepts into 3D tangible products. We’re exploring how to transform the charm of virtual characters into objects that people can touch and collect. The process is challenging but incredibly fun.

Simultaneously, I’m focusing on developing my own personal IP. I’ve created a character called ‘Symbolic Ancient God Ruby’. This character blends my understanding of mythology, semiotics, and modern art. Interestingly, I often commission artwork for this IP from other artists. So far, I’ve collected over 300 pieces of ‘Symbolic Ancient God Ruby’ drawn by different artists. Each artist brings a new interpretation to the character, a process that not only enriches the character itself but also gives me many creative inspirations.

These experiences of commissioning artwork for myself has given me new insights into creation. As an artist who has been taking commissions for years, switching roles to become the client is a unique experience. It has allowed me to understand client needs and expectations more deeply, while also making me re-examine my own creative style.

In the future, I plan to develop the ‘Symbolic Ancient God Ruby’ IP on a larger scale. I’m considering launching a series of merchandise, possibly including figurines, clothing, and stationery. I’m also exploring ways to incorporate this character into more digital content, such as animated shorts or games.

Overall, I feel that this is one of the most exciting periods for 2D art. Technological advancements have given us more ways to create and showcase our work, while market maturity has provided artists with more opportunities. Through my efforts, I hope not only to create more excellent works but also to contribute to the development of the entire industry.

I’m full of anticipation for the future. I believe there’s still great potential for development in vtuber design, trendy IP product development, and personal artistic creation. I will continue to maintain an open and innovative attitude, striving to find a balance between commercial value and artistic pursuit, and create more works that can touch people’s hearts.

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

Honestly, I think the three most crucial things are:

Treat work like it’s half a game. I approach each project as a fun challenge, which actually sparks my creativity. Like when I’m designing a VTuber, I’m thinking, ‘How can I spice things up this time?’ This mindset makes work super interesting.

Go crazy exploring different fields. I check out everything from anime to luxury brands. This seemingly random knowledge always comes in handy when you least expect it, helping me grab those cross-industry opportunities.

The toughest part of freelancing? Self-discipline, hands down. I’ve found that setting clear short-term goals really helps, like ‘finish 3 designs this week’. It keeps me on track without burning out.

For newbies, developing these habits might take time, but it’s totally worth it. The key is finding what works for you to keep your work challenging and fun at the same time.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

The book that played a significant role in my growth is うまく描くの禁止-ツラくないイラスト上達法 (Stop Trying to Draw Well: A Stress-Free Method for Improving Your Illustrations) by 斎藤直葵 (Naoki Saito).

This book offered me a fresh perspective on creativity by helping me break free from the pressure to always draw perfectly. Saito emphasizes that art is not about technical perfection but about enjoying the process and expressing yourself authentically. By releasing the need to “draw well,” I found new joy in creating without the weight of perfectionism. This transformative mindset shift not only improved my artistic skills but also allowed me to embrace imperfections in other areas of life.

Contact Info:

• Twitter: https://x.com/Ruby_5bubi
• Other: Bilibili:
  https://space.bilibili.com/107600

Image Credits

Artist’s personal photos

The photographer from: https://www.dianping.com/shop/G5ctJag6S5FXfRuF

Other images:

Design comes from me