Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bingyi Huang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Bingyi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

When I was young, I loved drawing. During my primary school years, my parents took me to an art school. At that time, I would casually paint and do some crafts. I used to do everything from pure art to installation art and small handcrafted sculptures. Later on, I stumbled upon a book that showcased the works of 100 digital artists. I found it fascinating and felt inspired to pursue this field in the future. That was during my high school years, and it made me want to study abroad for university because I believe the environment for studying this subject is better overseas.

Bingyi, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Bingyi Huang, and I study illustration at the Art Center College of Design. However, my focus is on game concept art. While still in school, I interned at NetEase. After graduation, I was offered a contract by Valorant, marking my first official job. In our line of work, we constantly confront challenges. For example, while developing a new map, the narrative team supplied the storyline. Initially, we crafted numerous “blue sky” concepts. Once the art director gave their approval, we delved further into the design. This process posed numerous challenges, from articulating and conveying our story to deciding on the map’s in-game appearance, ensuring it was both visually appealing and functional.

What fills me with pride about this job is the problem-solving skills I’ve acquired. I’ve also come to appreciate the paramount importance of communication in our field. It’s often uncertain whether your creation will resonate with the client or director or even if your design can be feasibly integrated into the game. Addressing such concerns necessitates regular interactions with fellow artists — insights that one simply can’t glean from academic settings. For instance, every game adheres to specific stylistic benchmarks. Certain design constraints might dictate the level of detail permissible on specific sections of a structure, while others can be more elaborate. Additionally, certain design measures might be necessary to avoid visually overwhelming the player.
I really enjoy this kind of work because I find the problem-solving process intriguing. Seeing what I’ve designed being produced and played by others is also very satisfying.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I recall that one of the most profound lessons I learned in school was the importance of truly listening to what the teacher says. At first, I would just draw whatever I felt like, thinking it was cool. I felt that the assignments were too simple or not to my liking, so I wouldn’t follow the instructions, leading to low grades from my teacher. However, it was only later that I understood why we had to do things a certain way. In other words, the purpose of the assignments and tasks given by the teacher was to get us to do specific things, not just what we liked.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think that diligent practice is crucial. Beyond that, it’s essential to explore the outside world. Venturing out more often allows us to discover more intriguing things. Some people not only draw but also engage in photography. Pursuing other hobbies can enhance their understanding of visuals or spark new ideas. For instance, when seeking inspiration for a drawing of a house, you don’t necessarily need to refer to an actual house. Something seemingly unrelated can often become the source of inspiration. When you feel creatively drained, try switching to a different activity. Don’t always sit down with a blank piece of paper; expose yourself to various inspirations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artstation.com/chloe23333
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s_rivon/?hl=en
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bingyi-huang-47b122188/
• Other: https://bingyihuang.myportfolio.com/work

Image Credits
Bingyi Huang