We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yuxin Yang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yuxin, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism has gradually been built up in my search for the meaning of life. For me, optimism is the only way to confront the absurdity of existence, a belief I have always held firmly.
What is the absurdity of life? It is the mechanical nature of daily life that makes one question the value and purpose of their existence, raising doubts about the state or significance of their own being, leading to confusion and a sense of disorientation.
At a young age, I became aware of the repetitiveness and mechanical nature of contemporary life, especially in the East Asian society where I was born and raised. Most of my relatives and peers had a destiny entirely different from mine. Many dropped out of school in middle school, went to work in factories, and became invisible cogs in the assembly line, repeating the same actions every day—cutting, sewing, carrying. In this mechanized society, they too became human-like machines, awaiting a fate where they might be replaced by rapidly advancing technology, unsure of when it would come.
From this point, I realized that it’s not just in low-end assembly line factories; this sense of repetition, meaninglessness, powerlessness, and insecurity pervades many aspects of modern life. This absurdity once filled me with pessimism about life.
Yet today, people call me “Little Sunshine,” a cheerful yet pessimistic artist—a warm angel with a smile on my face, while my work reflects a completely different, complex, and sorrowful style. Why is this?
Because I found a way to counter this absurdity—optimism. In the face of absurdity, self-deception or avoidance is meaningless; only by confronting it bravely can one find liberation and redemption. Thus, I give life meaning, making it purposeful, establishing ideals and values. Even if this meaning is consciously constructed, that is the nature of optimism—to face life’s harsh realities with a smile.
Therefore, I strive to live a life of value. For example, through creation, I feel that my thoughts and actions can endure and deeply influence others, giving me a sense of worth. Helping others, spreading love and kindness, bringing joy and warmth to those around me—this too provides a sense of value. It may seem that optimism and pessimism shouldn’t coexist within a person, but for me, they coexist naturally, as they are simply different ways in which I create value in life.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am Yang Yuxin, an independent animation director and freelance illustrator from China. I studied animation at Tsinghua University in Beijing for my undergraduate degree. Currently, I reside in Los Angeles and am pursuing a master’s degree in Experimental Animation at the California Institute of the Arts.
I primarily create independent animated short films. Having led a team of creative individuals, I have successfully produced an animation project in 2022 called “Before Her Body Left,” discussing about self-identity and redemption, which has garnered worldwide recognition in over 30 animation festivals, including selection for prestigious events such as the Ottawa International Animation Festival.
Currently, in my spare time, I am leading a team of 10 individuals to create my second short animated film, about 7 minutes duration that continues my interest in the human mental state and its development, exploring the relationship between people and inescapable trauma.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I’d say the first thing that impacted most on my journey is Adaptability, being open to change and handling uncertainty has been huge for me. The animation industry is always evolving, and learning new skills or adjusting to new trends is really important. My advice to those just starting out is to challenge yourself. Don’t stay in your comfort zone—take on projects that push your limits and don’t be afraid to fail. Those experiences teach you the most.
Second one is Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving, In both creative and practical situations, being able to think critically and find solutions is essential. It’s something you can improve by constantly asking questions, analyzing what’s around you, and approaching problems with curiosity. It helps not just in making better art but in navigating the challenges that come up during a project.
The last one I would definitely say it’s Communication ability. Animation is rarely a solo effort—it’s all about working with others. Being able to communicate your ideas clearly and understanding others’ perspectives makes a big difference. If you’re early in your career, I’d recommend finding ways to collaborate, whether it’s through internships, group projects, or simply getting involved in creative communities. The more you engage with others, the better you’ll get at it.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am currently working on my second short film, which tells the story of how people cope with inescapable trauma. My team is expanding, and we are looking for a producer, post-compositors, and animators, . so If you are an animation enthusiast or student with some experience, and you’re interested in working on an animation project to gain experience or would like to be involved in the animation festival circuit, feel free to reach out to me via Instagram (@ayang_anima) or email (yangyuxi18@gmail.com). I’d love to share my production story with you and introduce you to the 10 other team members from China and the U.S. working on this project.
The recruitment is open until March 2026, after 2024.12, I will be working on the third animation short, which also welcome to have anyone interested on board too, so feel free to make connection and I’m always open to meet talents from all over the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yangyuxin.squarespace.com
- Instagram: ayang_anima
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yyxanima
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
