We were lucky to catch up with Yining Li recently and have shared our conversation below.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a multi-designer specializing in illustration and motion design. What truly excites me is the ability to tell stories and present my ideas through visual language. Each narration is a unique experience. Even when dealing with familiar subjects, there are always fresh perspectives. Just as no two leaves are identical, every storytelling endeavor brings forth novel emotions. I relish this desire for expression. Currently, I juggle the role of a designer at a company while also managing and expanding my own freelance illustration business.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Critical thinking is essential, along with persistence and diligence.
I believe it’s crucial to cultivate a dialectical mode of thinking, especially for new talent pursuing a career in illustration or creative filed. In the early stages, we often find ourselves searching for a distinctive style, which can lead to getting lost in imitation. It’s imperative to reflect on what we genuinely enjoy and wish to convey. We should strive to develop our own artistic language, rather than blindly following trends. Moreover, the path of illustration is not one that promises swift returns. It requires perseverance, as dedicating time to creation will gradually yield results. Finally, diligence is a quality that underpins success in all endeavors. It doesn’t necessarily mean enduring hardship, but rather, learning to think critically and discovering effective learning methods to diligently progress in the right direction.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
Balancing time and energy is currently a significant challenge for me. I’m working as a full-time designer at a company while also continuing to develop my freelance illustration career. Transitioning from college life to this rhythm of life has been an adjustment. Being an international student, I face many additional challenges. I need to consider how to create more opportunities for myself to sustainably pursue what I want to do. I encourage fellow international students like me to think about their options and seek more opportunities in advance. Take that step to try. Safeguarding one’s creative passion is invaluable. Don’t let the busyness of life extinguish these sparks.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yiningli.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yining_li20/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yining-li-b4002a19a/
