Meet Zafri Yussoff

We were lucky to catch up with Zafri Yussoff recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zafri, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

I believe I found my purpose when I was in elementary school. At the time, I found myself immersed in the world of digital entertainment. My childhood consisted of playing video games, and watching movies and TV. I’m proud to share that I still do all of these today!

With these forms of media, I was instantly fascinated with the visual effects, art styles, character design, and graphic design. The key franchises that stood out were Star Wars, Marvel, DC, Harry Potter, Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dragon Ball Z, and Kingdom Hearts.

Therefore, I found great inspiration and creativity to draw in my notebooks. Whatever ideas came to my head, I would simply sketch out concepts and characters. Coincidentally, the passion also stemmed from my art teacher, Ms. Usova. She had been teaching all kinds of mediums of art, including character sketching. From that point on, as I grew up, I knew that my purpose was to be in digital media!

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I graduated from Eastern Mennonite University, earning my Bachelor of Arts in Photography. I also have a minor in Digital Media, with five plus years of experience in graphic design and video editing.

In the Summer of 2022, I created and established ZY Digital Media, as my secondary Instagram page. The intended goal was to showcase my skills in graphic design, photography, and videos. The content initially began with fan art, fan-made videos, and travel photos of cities.

In 2023, I made my big break, when I received my first commission as a wedding photographer. It was a request from a close college friend, and I’m still grateful for her keeping me in mind to help kickstart my portfolio! Later in the summer, I made another big break when I uploaded my fan-edited video on YouTube. Thematically, it was a combination of Star Wars and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! I took a sword fight scene from the 2007 film “TMNT”, and I animated lightsaber effects over it. The fight is a result of a conflict between brothers Leonardo and Raphael. Given their respective headband colors of blue and red, I gave the same color treatment for their weapons, the katanas and sais. Overall, the animations of the sabers, sparks, and sound mixing took 2 and a half months.

The final video has now gained nearly 65,000 views! I was fortunate to receive kind and inspiring comments from other fans of both franchises. Furthermore, the video was also able to reach the director and editor of the film! They reposted it on their social media, reached out to give their heartfelt feedback, and encouraged me to continue making more! This was a perfect validation for me and I couldn’t be more grateful!

Then throughout 2024, ZY Digital Media circled back to my roots and realized its true potential: To create and sell art, while freelancing! Through connections and networking in Northern Virginia and D.C., I was fortunate to receive multiple commissions as an event photographer! These include the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Fiesta Asia, Conjutsu (anime and gaming convention), and the Water Lantern Festival in Richmond, VA.

In addition to events, I have also branched out to other types of photography: Portraits, architecture, cityscapes, and landscapes. With videography, I have filmed a dance performance using a multi-camera setup.

I was also commissioned by a musical artist for photoshoots, an album cover, and merchandise (t-shirts and CDs). With graphic design, I was commissioned by my friends to design a podcast logo, then draw a neon-traced portrait, respectively.

After gaining great experience for my portfolio and resume, I was ready to launch my ZY Digital Media website on Wix! I worked on it from January 2023 to July 2024, and it now has my latest portfolio! From the home page to the shop page, it has my style and identity to showcase who I am as a digital media artist.

To keep the momentum going, I was encouraged by my family to submit for photo contests and galleries. In reflection, I’m happy that I took their suggestions and I’m proud to announce the following results:
First, in August 2024, for the Arlington County Fair Photo Contest’s adult division, I was the 2nd Place Premium Winner for two photos! Next, in September 2024, for the Architectural Photography Competition hosted by AIA Long Beach and South Bay, I was the People’s Choice Category Winner!

Finally, from January to April 2025, I had my first solo exhibit “NEON NOIR”, at Shirlington Library in Arlington, VA! For the exhibit, I photographed the city of Harrisonburg, VA (EMU’s location) in black and white, then I added neon lights as a special effect, to figuratively project it into the future! This culminated in my artist talk / closing reception on the evening of April 8. My family and I invited our close friends and my college friends, and did a livestream on YouTube! There were 6 photos framed and up for sale, and twenty percent of each sale would go to the Friends of the Arlington Public Library. I was fortunate to sell two of them!

Moving forward, my new goals for ZY Digital Media are as follows: I want to continue creating graphic design, photography, and videos with a passion; collaborating with clients where we share a similar vision; challenging myself and learning new ways of digital media; competing in more contests and open calls. Most importantly, ​I want my art to INSPIRE future artists!

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?

Throughout my journey, the three most important qualities are my drive, imagination, and knowledge.

I am driven because I have set goals for myself, both short term and long term. The short term goals include networking more through exhibits, vendor booths, and social media; improving and expanding all my digital media skills; and receiving reasonable capital.

Respectively, in the possible scenario, the long term goals could be receiving commissions from larger brands (nationwide and worldwide); my overall art style and identity gaining its recognition; having enough capital to upgrade to new gear and softwares; and opening up my dream studio!

This brings me to my imagination. The studio could consist of three sections: The first section could be an office, and I’d have a large drawing tablet to work on graphic design and digital art. With potential clients, in person or a video call, we could work on the project together. Just outside the office would be two other sections. One for portrait and product photography, and the other with a green screen for videos and visual effects.
I’m also imaginative because of the potential that I see for my portfolio. I would love to expand it to detailed illustrations for fan art and original work (mangas, comic books, character designs); other cities getting the “NEON NOIR” treatment; photoshoot sessions with all kinds of people (indoor and outdoor); and different types of videos (visual effects, travel vlogs, highlight reels, music videos).

I am knowledgeable because I’ve gained an incredible amount of advice and information, throughout the years, and I still do! All of it has come from my family, friends, teachers, professors, and professionals. With my unique vision and goals, they are intrigued as viewers, and they’re willing to help out. They have shared their experiences, links, and articles that are relevant. Some key examples that have stood out are open calls for contests and exhibits, open calls for vendor booths, tutorials or courses on how to sell art and photos frequently, conventions, Small Business Expo, and Adobe Create Now events.

To any upcoming artists in digital media or production, I’m willing to share the same advice, as well. If you discovered that spark of interest early on or recently, and if you enjoy that, stick to it. On any skill level, take a nearby sketchbook or technology around you, and simply experiment any ideas you may have. You’ll eventually find the niche that would fit you the best. If you have a vision and goals for yourself, you would definitely find your purpose. Additionally, a confidence boost will be beneficial, once you have the support and encouragement from your family and friends. All of these will go a long way to help you as a person and in your career!

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

The most impactful thing my parents have done for me is being supportive since day one! In the 80s, they both emigrated from Malaysia to work at the Malaysian Embassy in Washington, D.C. Prior to their arrival, they actually didn’t meet or know each other yet, as they had separate paths. Therefore, they had their first meeting at their respective jobs, and the rest is history.

Fast forward to my senior year in high school, it became more clear on what I wanted to study after graduation: Digital Media. At that point, my parents made it clear that they would support and guide me on any critical life choice moving forward. Since I’m first generation in the U.S., that meant so much to allow me to pursue my dreams!

Now, after the highs and lows of college, I’m so proud of myself and for them that I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Photography! I couldn’t be more grateful for their love and support to achieve my dreams, and my purpose to share my digital media vision to the world!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Personal Photo | Kevin Gervais

Screenshot of 2024 Architectural Photography Competition | AIA Long Beach / South Bay on Vimeo

Original photo for thumbnail of “Leo VS Raph with Lightsabers!” | Image Animation Studios / Warner Bros. Pictures

Original photo for “Neon-Traced Portrait” | Alex J. Dimas

Remaining Additional Photos / Designs | Zafri Yussoff

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our

Productivity
Perspectives on Staying Creative

We’re beyond fortunate to have built a community of some of the most creative artists,

Confidence
Kicking Imposter Syndrome to the Curb

This is the year to kick the pesky imposter syndrome to the curb and move