We were lucky to catch up with Jehao Wu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Jehao thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to start by getting your thoughts on what you are seeing as some the biggest trends emerging in your industry.

Overall, I believe that the illustration industry is experiencing an increasing demand for diversity and inclusivity, not only in terms of art styles and mediums, but also in the techniques and technologies used. While hand-drawn and digital illustrations were the standard just a few years ago, today’s illustrators are incorporating a wider variety of software and printing methods, such as risograph, a printing technique I like to use, has become a trendy printing method. However, one of the biggest challenges facing illustrators today is the growth of AI techniques. This is a controversial topic, as it has the potential to replace some illustrator’s jobs, and the use of AI in academic studies has caused significant controversy in multiple art schools.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Jehao Wu and I am an illustrator based in New York. I have always had a passion for art and design, and I pursued this interest by studying illustration at the school of visual arts and while I was writing this I was still a senior year student.

My focus is on creating illustrations that capture the essence of everyday life, and for my senior thesis project I made a series of work called Furry Companions. Which is a collection of lifestyle illustrations that depicts the close bond between humans and animal especially their pets. It celebrates the joy, companionship, and humour that animals bring into our lives. And it got recognition by the school that it was presented in the senior show, got featured in magazine called Visual Arts Journal and I also got multiple illustration awards for the pieces in the series. I believe that illustration has the power to add personality and charm to any project, and I strive to bring a unique and personal touch to every illustration I create.

What sets me apart from other illustrators is that my illustrations are not only aesthetically pleasing but also tells a story. I was very influenced by Japanese wood prints and anime as a kid so I incorporated that East Asian aesthetic into my work. And that makes my illustrations whimsical, colorful with a quiet atmospheric and playful feel. Besides, I am constantly exploring new techniques and styles to keep my work fresh and innovative, and currently I do a lot of risograph printing and it becomes my favorite method to make art.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think my ability to work consistently in terms of style, efficiency has helped me build my reputation.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

As an illustrator you need your fellow artist to have your back on social media. People sharing your artwork to their Instagram story can certainly help you gain followers in a healthy way.

Contact Info:

• Website: Jehaowu.com
• Instagram: @zhehaowu_jehao
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jehao-wu-120a44273

Image Credits
Jehao Wu