We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yezi Dai a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yezi, 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?
I believe that the keys to creativity are continuous reflection and observation. By actively pondering and paying attention to the world around us, it’s easier for creativity to stay vibrant. I’m not particularly skilled at depicting futuristic technology themes, so my inspiration mainly stems from my own life. I enjoy observing people and things around me. Every day, I take different routes for walks near my home, noticing the pedestrians and scenery along the way. These observations often trigger associations with colors, shapes, and textures, which greatly aid my creative process. Also, I draw inspiration from various creative platforms. I don’t limit myself to just illustrations; I enjoy exploring films, photography, and fine arts. Engaging with works from different artists exposes me to many artistic concepts and ideas, which offer me plenty of inspiration.
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?
As an illustrator, my primary focus is on crafting editorial illustrations for magazines and newspapers, as well as designing cover art and internal illustrations for books. Additionally, I provide illustrations for various commercial promotional materials. I specialize in crafting illustrations with a strong emphasis on texture and comfortable tones to create visually captivating compositions. What sets my work apart is the fusion of my foundation in traditional Chinese painting with a contemporary illustrative approach. I take pride in incorporating elements reminiscent of traditional ink brushstrokes and textures into my illustrations, offering a unique blend that pays homage to my cultural roots. In terms of what’s new, I’m currently exploring opportunities to collaborate with other artists and organizations, as well as working on expanding my portfolio to include more diverse projects and themes.
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?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities have been instrumental: a vibrant imagination that fosters creative associations, the ability to work smartly when creating art, and maintaining a relatively stable and optimistic attitude towards my creative process. These aspects have been constant companions in my creative endeavors. I don’t have specific advice for those just starting in this field, as I believe artistic creation is incredibly diverse and personal. However, if I were to offer any guidance, it would be to maintain a positive mindset. We may sometimes invest considerable time and effort into creating work that may not receive immediate or widespread acclaim. It’s crucial to recognize that this is a normal part of the creative journey and not let it deter our enthusiasm. If one is clear about their artistic direction and stays committed to it, time will eventually validate their efforts.
We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?
I firmly believe in the philosophy of capitalizing on strengths while mitigating weaknesses. In our profession, especially within the diverse landscape of the art world, there are countless styles and specialties, each with its own legion of practitioners. Standing out amidst this diversity requires leveraging our unique strengths. For example, if someone excels in intricate line work, emphasizing this skill can help them establish a distinct identity. Similarly, if they have a knack for color, infusing their work with vibrant hues can enhance its visual impact. While it’s important to refine our overall skill set continuously, I believe that amplifying our strengths offers the best chance for recognition and success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yezidai.portfoliobox.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daiyezi_tuo98/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
