Meet YUXIN LI

We recently connected with YUXIN LI and have shared our conversation below.

YUXIN, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

For me, imposter syndrome has never really been an issue. I’ve always had a strong sense of self-worth. So when I participate in competitions or selections, if I don’t win or get chosen, my reaction is often: “Why not me?”—but that doesn’t mean I’m blindly overconfident. I have a clear understanding of my abilities and where I stand, because I’m the only one who truly knows how much effort I’ve put in to get to this level. Every step I’ve taken has been earned through hard work.

When I do get an opportunity, I feel like all that effort was worth it. And honestly, effort and results aren’t always directly proportional—luck also plays a role. But even if luck gives me an opportunity, without the necessary skills, I wouldn’t be able to seize it. So what’s meant for me will come to me eventually, and what’s not meant for me won’t come no matter how hard I try to force it.

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?

I’m a pixel artist. Although I studied illustration in university, I’ve always been passionate about game design, so I’m currently working on developing my own indie game. I’m also a tattoo artist.

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?

What has influenced me the most along the way actually has little to do with the knowledge and skills I learned in school. Instead, it’s having a calm mindset, the ability to solve problems, and good organizational skills. These three qualities allow me to handle anything with confidence and composure.

The same applies to drawing—impatience and the desire for quick results are things to avoid. It’s important to manage both work and life well. During the creative process, I often encounter challenges, such as not being able to achieve the desired effect in a piece or struggling to draw certain elements. These are all problems that must be solved in order to complete an artwork.

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?

Right now, the biggest challenge I’m facing is a very practical one: how to make a living through art. From what I know, many of my peers from university are struggling, so no matter what path I take, I really want to support myself by doing something I love.

But even more urgent than that is whether I can get into a graduate program. I want to study game design in a more professional and systematic way, so I’m planning to apply for a master’s degree in game design this year. Lately, I’ve been working on my portfolio in preparation for the application.

I really hope it works out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cactuszip.com
• Instagram: cactus_zip