We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yufei Yang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yufei, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I’ve discovered my purpose in illustration by fully embracing the world around me and allowing the things that spark my creativity to flow into my work. For me, food and drink bring so much life to my art—vibrant colors, rich textures—and sketching outside cafes has become one of my favorite ways to immerse myself in this inspiration. It’s in these everyday moments that I find the most connection to my creativity.
Traveling has also been a huge part of my journey. Experiencing different cultures, environments, and landscapes has opened my eyes to new forms, colors, and patterns. Every place I visit has its own unique energy and mood, and I try to capture that feeling of life in my work. Whether it’s the bustling streets of London or the serene natural beauty of Shanghai’s parks, travel fuels my imagination and constantly reminds me of the endless diversity in the world.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a London and Shanghai-based illustrator with a strong creative foundation in Fine Art, Illustration, and Graphic Design. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many brands and editorial clients such as Peet’s Coffee, Lecoq Sports, Minute Maid, , Beneficial Shock Magazine, and Breathe magazine.
What excites me most about my work is the way I can combine different influences—whether it’s from food, nature, or everyday experiences—to create visually engaging pieces that resonate with people. I specialize in advertising and editorial illustration, where I enjoy blending storytelling with strong visuals to help brands communicate their message in a creative and impactful way.
While I’ve worked independently on various projects and collaborations, I’m always eager to expand my horizons and connect with more opportunities. I’m always open to new ideas and looking forward to the next creative challenge!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been adaptability, understanding what I’m passionate about, and the ability to connect with diverse inspirations.
Adaptability: Working across different industries, from coffee brands to sportswear, has taught me the importance of being flexible and open to new challenges. Every brand has its unique voice and message, so being able to adapt my style to suit different needs has been crucial. My advice for others is to stay open to experimentation. Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new styles or mediums, as this will help you grow as an artist and designer.
Understanding what you’re passionate about: A big turning point in my career was recognizing my true passions—illustration and storytelling. Knowing what excites you and fuels your creativity is vital for staying motivated and producing your best work. For those starting, I recommend taking time to explore different areas of art and design to discover what truly sparks joy for you. Once you find that, focus on it and build your career around what you love.
Connecting with diverse inspirations: Drawing inspiration from everyday life, whether it’s food, nature, or storytelling from films and editorial articles, has been a key factor in keeping my work fresh and relevant. I’d encourage emerging creatives to keep their eyes open to the world around them. Seek out inspiration in unexpected places and allow these influences to shape your art in unique ways. The more you absorb, the richer your work will become.
By focusing on these three areas, you’ll have a strong foundation to explore and develop your own creative journey.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
One book that has played an important role in my development is Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon. It’s a short but powerful guide on creativity that emphasizes the idea that nothing is completely original and that it’s okay to draw inspiration from others to fuel your work.
A few of the most valuable takeaways for me include:
“Nothing is original”: This idea was freeing for me as an artist. Kleon explains that all creative work builds on what came before, and that it’s not about copying but rather remixing, transforming, and putting your own spin on existing ideas. This shifted my mindset and encouraged me to embrace inspiration from diverse sources—whether it’s food, films, or nature—without worrying about being completely “original.”
“Side projects and hobbies are important”: This advice reminded me to keep exploring different creative outlets, even if they aren’t directly related to my main work. These side passions fuel my creativity and often lead to unexpected breakthroughs in my illustrations and designs.
“Do good work and share it with people”: Kleon’s encouragement to actively share your work resonated with me. It pushed me to put my illustrations out into the world, whether through collaborations, social media, or my website, and helped me expand my network and gain more opportunities.
The book’s simple yet profound wisdom has guided me in embracing the process of learning from others while staying true to my vision.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rainbowdraws.com
- Instagram: @rainbow.illustrator
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yangyufei
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