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

Alright, Yifan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

Tell us the story of how you came up with the idea for your creative services business? Paint the picture for us so we really understand the context, circumstances, the emotions etc. Walk us through how you knew this was a worthwhile endeavor – talk to us about the logic of why you felt you could succeed?

I grew up in China. I picked up the paintbrush for the first time when I was but four years of age, and I have not stopped creating ever since. Believing that I was born for arts and having proven my talent and potential in this area through awards, I made the decision to venture to the United States for my high school studies. Unlike China, where fine arts education has long been marginalized, the U.S., recognizing the power of artistic ingenuity, is home to world-renowned academic institutions teaching arts and design. Learning avidly both inside the classroom and beyond, I realized the objective that I had set for myself and enrolled at the School of Visual Arts to pursue a BFA degree in Illustration.
Since I believe that art without meaning is but a pretty picture, the curriculum that I have built at the SVA aims to not only hone my techniques as an artist but also cultivate my critical thinking skills. As an artist, generate both social and commercial value through my works is important. In addition to integrating Cultural Studies and Politics thinking into my works, I have also enhanced my portfolio of skillsets and explored my career possibilities from workplace experiences.

In the summer of 2021, I joined McCann. Though it was customary for temporary interns like me to handle administrative tasks at such an established advertising agency network, I was determined to harvest more from this hard-earned opportunity. I approached the leader of the creative team and presented my portfolio of graphic designs. Perhaps impressed by my proactiveness and approval of my techniques, the leader included me in high-profile cases, allowing me to make substantial contributions to the projects. I learned with unprecedented speed and ferocity. From a novice unaccustomed to the intense pace of work, who struggled to meet the deadline, I quickly grew adept at the team culture. Taking one small step after another, I gradually became a crucial member of the team, designing icons, producing IP images, developing opening reports, and so forth. My sense of accomplishment culminated when, two months after I finished the internship, I chanced upon the digital advertisement that I had designed for Lay’s. Knowing that my artistic creation could indeed produce commercial value, I felt validated and appreciated.

Encouraged by my small achievement at McCann, I continued to explore how I might apply my artistic talents to commerce, ideally also incurring positive social impact. In the March of 2021, Smile Paws, an online pet product boutique, posted an article looking for designers of catteries, cat houses, and toys. I compiled a portfolio of illustrations and designs I had completed and sent to the company management for review. To my pleasant surprise, I soon heard back from Smile Paws, who extended me an offer of a long-term collaboration. In the year and a half since then, I have partaken in multiple projects. Three of the five drafts that I submitted were adopted, among which two were kept by Smile Paws for its own use in the future, and the one that was most simple and elegant was applied to the co-branding. While working for Smile Paws, I have also engaged myself in various social activities. Designing logos, banners, flyers, and brochures for our Adoption Day and taking charge of the social media advocation for stray rescue, I have acted as an artist and helped wounded and abandoned animals find new homes.

Looking ahead, I aspire to continue generating both commercial and social values through my work as an illustrator and graphic designer. With bold colors and contours, my artistic style caters heavily to the younger generations, exuding an air of vibrancy Indeed, having been born in this age of IT, I am interested in exploring how burgeoning technologies could instill more life into my creations.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I am Li Yifan. I am an illustrator and graphic designer living in New York City. My works have been selected to exhibitions multiple times and awarded. I also has extensive experience in editorial illustration, poster design, banner design, and product design. My designs are also including street art logos, 3D prototypes of cat beds and scratching boards, digital promotional flyers, and beyond. I also made a lot of products such as stickers, zines, charms, prints and designer toys. My works focus on social phenomena such as women’s right annd animal care.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

One valuable piece of advice I received from my professors is to create art that speaks my own art language and allows me to express myself fully. While this concept may seem obvious, it can be easy to forget In the past, I adjusted my artistic style to conform to others’ preferences. However, I now realize that striving to cater to viewers’ opinions is not conducive to creative growth. Each creator has their unique perspective, and staying true to our artistic vision and passions is essential. It is vital to remember that every person has distinct tastes, and by creating from an authentic place, we will eventually attract our ideal audience.

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

Being an artist is incredibly fulfilling, as it allows individuals to tell stories and express thoughts visually. The skills learned through creating are valuable and can be applied throughout one’s life. However, the most gratifying aspect of being an artist lies in the ability to build one’s own world. What could be more exhilarating than creating something that adds beauty to one’s surroundings and sometimes serves a functional purpose? The joy of crafting something with my own hands that i can cherish and display is truly unparalleled. If someone is also obsessed with my art, it will be my life’s happiest thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yifanliart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_the_wind_sailor_art/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yifanliart/