We were lucky to catch up with Mingyi Gan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mingyi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?

To me, success is a combination of analytical thinking, confidence, and perseverance. It’s about having the ability to deeply reflect on my decisions and understand the factors influencing them while also trusting my instincts and pushing forward, even when the outcome is uncertain. Success is not a fixed destination but an evolving process where the journey itself holds as much value as the achievements along the way.

While I don’t think success is entirely within my control, external validation does play an important role. Recognition, financial stability, and professional accomplishments are tangible markers that reflect my effort, skill, and growth. But I don’t define success solely through these external factors. For me, the core of success is about creating work that resonates with others while remaining true to who I am. External validation is part of the process, but it is not the ultimate measure of success. What matters more is how I use that recognition to present my work to a wider audience, to build deeper connections with those who resonate with me.

There was a time when I placed great importance on receiving external validation, especially through prestigious awards or being part of prominent illustration societies. I remember the many times I faced rejection and couldn’t get validated by those institutions. However, I realized that those who were recognized weren’t necessarily more talented or deserving than me; success was not solely within my control. Rather, success became about understanding the limits of external validation, accepting setbacks, and focusing on what I could control—staying authentic to my creative process, trusting my instincts, and consistently pushing forward.

I now view publications and awards as stepping stones. They’re not the end goal but tools to achieve a greater purpose: to share my work with a larger audience and invite others to connect with it. Through external achievements, I can create opportunities for visibility and deeper engagement with my art. But the true success for me lies in balancing that visibility with authenticity. The recognition is helpful in making my work seen, but the ultimate value comes from using that platform to reveal my true self and to communicate my unique vision.

Mingyi, 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?

My name is Mingyi Gan, I am a New York-based illustrator, graphic designer, and zine maker. I developed a distinctive artistic language that blends vibrant color, fashionable composition, and the human form with a foundation in neoteric surrealism.

My creative journey began with a deep appreciation for the beauty in everyday life. From a young age, I found inspiration in everything—from the design of billboards to the patterns on napkins and the graphics on people’s T-shirts. This innate drive to create fueled my path into the world of illustration and design, especially after growing up in an environment where creativity was constrained. As an adult, my work serves as a form of personal liberation, where every piece I create is a way for me to express both my artistic vision and my experiences.

The core of my artistic process revolves around a combination of emotional expression and intellectual exploration. I don’t draw inspiration solely from contemporary illustrators; instead, I look to a range of disciplines such as music, architecture, fashion, and graphic design. New York City itself serves as a rich source of inspiration, particularly the cultural diversity and the underground energy that flows through neighborhoods like the East Village. The city’s graffiti, vintage shops, and the tangible presence of its immigrant cultures heavily influence my work. I absorb these elements and channel them into my art.

My work spans several areas, including posters, book covers, album covers, comic book covers, and fashion illustrations. They are designed to be visually stimulating and attractive, utilizing a vibrant color palette, impressive composition, and anatomically correct, dynamic modeling. The goal is for my illustrations to be engaging both from a distance and up close, making each piece stand out in a variety of viewing contexts.

The primary tone of my work rooted in surrealism, enhanced by a personal, deliberate touch. What sets my work apart is how I express time and space within the composition. In traditional illustration, narrative space is often conveyed on a flat plane. However, I push this boundary by incorporating a “pole,” or layers, to transform the illustration into three-dimensional coordinates. I envision the canvas as a living theater where objects and elements stack together, forming a dynamic stage. The actors and actresses—symbolized by the various elements in the illustration—perform their roles within the frame, creating iconic moments within the piece.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the creative freedom it provides. I don’t have to sit in an office staring at numbers and Excel grids. As a freelancer, I have the flexibility to structure my own time, allowing for both focused work and necessary breaks. The ability to consistently create new things, even through commissions, is incredibly fulfilling. I can’t imagine a life without engaging in some form of creative expression—it feels intrinsic to who I am and what drives me professionally. This constant cycle of ideation, execution, and discovery makes being an artist a deeply rewarding experience.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

While I always tell myself that I never regret anything, meaning that everything I’ve been through has been something I deserved and happened for a reason, if I had to think about one thing I wish I knew earlier, it would be how important networking and connecting with people in the industry is. I’ve always avoided shallow socializing and small talk, thinking it had nothing to do with my professional abilities, but I did understand how those connections can really help you grow and open doors. That said, while I acknowledge the usefulness and importance of networking, I’m not going to pretend it’s reasonable. I still find it hypocritical, but I’ll compromise for the sake of the bigger picture.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mingyigan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magierk8/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magierk
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/magierk

Image Credits

All by Mingyi Gan