Meet Yanzhang Song

We recently connected with Yanzhang Song and have shared our conversation below.

Yanzhang, so happy to have you with us today. You are such a creative person, but have you ever head any sort of creativity block along the way? If so, can you talk to us about how you overcame or beat it?

I used to feel anxious about experiencing creativity blocks, but I’ve come to realize that it’s just a natural part of the creating process, and I’ve developed some personal strategies for overcoming these obstacles. One of the most effective ways for me is to take a step back and change environments – this helps me find peace and generate new inspiration.
For example, I’ll try a different medium or technology. My usual mediums are digital painting and animation, but sometimes I’ll experience being stuck in front of the computer for hours without achieving the desired result, so I’ll put aside those annoying projects for a while and try to do some sculpture or collage. This change helps me to get out of my rut and open up to new perspectives while still keeping a creative mindset.
Another thing that helps is to record inspiration as soon as it arises, such as a dream or an interesting observation from everyday life. This recording doesn’t need to be complete, and I usually only spend about five minutes sketching my thoughts. I will look back at these notes and refine some of them when creativity gets in the way; it’s a lot easier to build on an existing inspiration than to start from zero.
Finally, I’ve found that discussing my creative blocks with other artists or mentors has helped me a lot. Sometimes just sharing the struggle can make it seem less daunting, and the feedback or advice I receive can lead to breakthroughs. If I can’t find the right person to discuss it with for a while, I also write down my experience, which helps me to look at my obstacles in a more objective perspective and find the right solution instead of getting caught up in a bad emotion.

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

Hi, I’m Yanzhang Song, an independent illustrator and animation artist currently pursuing an MFA in Animation at UCLA. My work spans digital painting, traditional 2D animation, and stop-motion animation, and I explore a diverse array of subjects—from pressing social issues like feminist issue in East Asia and the challenges faced by marginalized communities, to more abstract themes of memory, love, and death.
What excites me most about my work is its ability to fuse reality with imagination. Animation, in particular, is a magical medium: it is both liberating and powerful, capable of constructing entirely new worlds that challenge traditional narratives. In my previous projects, I’ve experimented with blending documentary techniques and animation to craft innovative narratives, reexamining the legacy of women and the profound influence of community by documenting the stories of extraordinary women in my life.
Another compelling aspect of creating art is the opportunity it provides to translate deeply personal reflections and complex social issues into visually engaging stories that resonate with a broad audience. Currently, I’m working on a new 2D short film that explores the idea that true female strength emanates from wisdom and love, all woven together in a modern fairy tale.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back on my journey so far, I’d say there are three key elements that have profoundly impacted my work: telling compelling stories, nurturing empathy, and cultivating patience.

For me, while aesthetics are undeniably important, the message behind a work is what truly matters. At the heart of my creative process is the ability to connect with an audience through narrative—transforming complex ideas and emotions into something tangible. One practice that has significantly enhanced my storytelling is writing. Even as a primarily visual artist, I find that keeping written records helps me clarify my thoughts and refine my narrative. Whether it’s journaling, jotting down story ideas, or drafting scripts, these practices make it easier to translate a creative spark into a polished piece of art.

Empathy forms the foundation of stories that resonate. It drives me to explore marginalized voices and to tell stories that strike a deep chord in our shared humanity. Maintaining empathy ensures my work retains warmth and avoids objectifying or alienating its subjects. By actively listening and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, I deepen my understanding of their authentic experiences. When creating work focused on specific communities, I strive to gain a thorough insight into their experiences and emotions through research, data collection, and interviews. Additionally, reading widely broadens my perspective and helps me challenge my own biases.

Lastly, resilience and patience are essential, especially in animation—a medium where the process often involves tedious, repetitive steps that require significant time, energy, and determination. To keep my enthusiasm alive, I set structured plans and achievable goals, breaking large projects into manageable tasks and celebrating every milestone along the way. Timely feedback from peers and mentors also plays a crucial role, inspiring me to persist and evolve in my craft.

Together, these three qualities—storytelling, empathy, and patience—are the pillars that continue to guide my creative journey.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

One of the biggest obstacles I face now is how to balance my artistic vision with the challenges I face as a cross-cultural artist, specifically how to try to break through cultural barriers while remaining authentic to my background. Working at the intersection of different cultures means that the narratives, aesthetics, and even subtleties of my work can be interpreted in very different ways depending on the cultural background of the viewer.
Much of my past work is grounded in my experiences and traditions of growing up in China. It is a great challenge to retell my stories in a Western culture that resonates with the audience here and allows me to communicate my ideas to the world while staying true to my roots. Of course, this challenge also provides a unique opportunity to enrich my work. The process of dealing with cultural barriers and complexities has led me to actively explore new narrative approaches and infuse my work with new power.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: yanzhang.song