Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lola Yiting Zhang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Lola Yiting, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
As a concept artist working in the games industry, my journey began in my childhood. From my earliest memories, drawing has always felt natural to me. I was a pretty introverted kid, and I seemed attuned to the world in a different way, perceiving emotions and details in a more sensitive way than others. Drawing naturally became my way of expressing my thoughts and emotions. When I played my first video game back in elementary school, I was immediately captivated, and I knew then that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. During junior high, I joined an art class outside of school, which was my first exposure to formal art education. That experience sparked my passion and unearthed my inner curiosity and yearning for the art journey. This set the stage for my artistic education, which continued throughout high school and into art college. During this time, I honed not only my technical skills but also expanded my horizons by learning about various non-art related topics such as creature biology, scientific mysteries, chemistry, and technology. In retrospect, the harmony between my interest in art and design and my life’s rhythm has woven a seamless tapestry, as my brain is always actively seeking and on the lookout for inspiration, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. It’s simply how my brain is wired.
Looking back, one approach to speeding up my learning process could have been to engage more with other artists and exchange insights and helpful information. By connecting with a diverse network of creative minds, I could have been exposed to various experiences that might have positively impacted my artistic growth, because often, casual conversations can provide useful tips or advice that can help us make progress in our creative pursuits. Additionally, seeking inspiration beyond your immediate realm of expertise is invaluable. As a concept artist working primarily in the digital realm, exploring traditional sculpture, industrial engineering designs, architecture, photography, and other fields have elevated my thought process and widened my horizons. This exposure to diverse sources can offer inspiration from different dimensions, helping to break free from the “sameness” issue that may arise when remaining within a narrow scope of influence. Embracing various perspectives and incorporating them into your creative process can lead to unique and “Frankenstein” results that make your design unavoidably pop out.
In my experience, several essential “skills” are crucial for a concept artist to survive the creatively taxing design tasks that we deal with on a daily basis: problem-solving, divergent thinking, observation, consistency, and taste. During the creative process, problem-solving is likely the most critical survival skill a concept artist relies on. Our daily work revolves around tackling design problems, and knowing how to navigate through various tricky design situations, filtering through “noise,” providing multiple solutions, and eventually arriving at the best solution to each unique design challenge is vital. Divergent thinking also plays an important role, as it allows us to experience those “aha” moments that enable us to transform a mundane object into something fresh and innovative. These flashes of inspiration help us expand and evolve our ideas into unique and captivating concepts. While taste can’t be taught, finding a great mentor who can guide you through the complexities of developing your artistic sensibilities is essential in your learning journey.
As for obstacles that stood in the way of learning more, poor time management, lack of sleep, distractions, and being a “creative perfectionist” can often create major roadblocks in the creative process, and yes, I’ve learned this the hardest way… Striving for the perfect sketch doesn’t always work in your favor, as it can hinder the freedom to explore and discover new possibilities, including those serendipitous, happy accidents that give art its own unique voice. In fact, messy sketches can often give birth to unexpected ideas and unique concepts, as some of the coolest ideas often emerge from chaos and unplanned moments.
Lola Yiting, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Growing up, I fell in love with the world of video games and anime, which sparked my passion for art. The intricate and fantastical worlds within captivated me and led me to pursue a creative path. Although as I’ve evolved as an artist, my main sources of inspiration have shifted, but my passion for creative design remains unchanged. My journey took me through art high school and college, eventually leading me to ArtCenter College of Design. Although an emotional rollercoaster, ArtCenter allowed me to hone my craft and learn from the best in the industry.
In my work, I don’t box myself into one category. I enjoy designing a wide range of things, from characters and environments to keyframes and props. One of my biggest obsessions is uncovering the hidden gems of nature. I find inspiration in often-overlooked details such as insect patterns, fungi structures, minerals, snowflakes’ microstructures, mechanical parts, and more. I extract and rearrange these elements to create art that expresses my appreciation and understanding of the world while allowing my unique voice to find its flow.
As my love for art has grown and evolved, I’ve learned to strike a subtle balance between my creative work and my passion for life. I find solace in outdoor activities like hiking, working out, and dirt biking. These activities replenish my creative soul, much like photosynthesis. By fully immersing myself in the world and its offerings, I draw inspiration from it, connecting with my surroundings, and then channeling what inspires me into my work.
The journey of a concept artist isn’t always smooth sailing. I’ve grappled with challenges like discovering my creative voice and handling job pressures. And yet, through it all, art remains my safe place. Whenever I’m feeling emotional, stressed, or down, I know I can always turn to my art as a comforting outlet for expression and solace.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the unique opportunity to convey my personality, emotions, and worldview, not through words or traditional means, but through abstract brushstrokes and boundless imagination. When I’m fully immersed in my artistic endeavors, work transcends being a chore and becomes an exhilarating challenge that pushes my problem-solving, craftsmanship, and perception of the world. Plus, I get to create something that doesn’t yet exist, conjuring up new things out of thin air like a magician. I get full control over the entire creative language, down to the smallest details of my creation.
There’s a certain unparalleled joy in getting paid to do what I’m naturally drawn to. The satisfaction of transforming passion and what fires you up into a livelihood makes every stroke and creative decision all the more gratifying, and there’s no greater reward than that.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Absolutely, one aspect that non-creatives might struggle to understand about my journey as a creative is the seemingly constant “busyness,” the 24/7 “hustle,” and the blurred lines between work and life, particularly during the grinding and learning stage of the artistic journey. My life often feels like a linear path between my computer and bed, as life and art blend into one.
For creatives, “work time” is spent honing our craft, and “after-hours” become an extension of our learning and growth. This includes personal projects, new books to read, and new knowledge to acquire in order to fulfill our curiosity, and the desire to become better artists. Non-creatives may be puzzled by our perpetual “busyness,” but that’s because, as artists, we often don’t recognize the division between work and rest or after-work hours. Instead, these two parts may have grown into one integral aspect of our lifestyle.
Art is what ignites my passion and helps me find my unique voice, while life experiences enrich my art. In a sense, our entire lives become a continuous, interconnected creative process. This unrelenting drive to create, learn, and explore might be hard to grasp for those not on the same path, but it’s a vital component of a creative’s journey to self-discovery and artistic fulfillment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artstation.com/lolazhang
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lolaneedstosketchmooore/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lolasketchmoore