We recently connected with Yifei Jin and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yifei, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

As a Chinese-born individual raised in a Tibetan area, I was immersed in a vibrant artistic heritage from an early age. The captivating Thangka paintings, intricate temple murals, and the stunning beauty of the plateau landscape sparked my fascination with art. However, it was during my college years that my perspective shifted significantly.

Discovering a dynamic photography community exposed me to the transformative power of visuals and the world of aesthetics. Engaging in urban ruin exploration with fellow photographers deepened my passion for art. It was in those moments that I realized conforming to societal expectations and pursuing academic excellence alone couldn’t fulfill my longing for something more.

The fusion of my childhood experiences and college discoveries ignited a profound desire to pursue a creative path. Today, I am dedicated to creating art that resonates deeply, combining my technical skills with a profound understanding of aesthetics and self-expression.

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.

I am a multi-media artist. I have a background in electronic engineering, Communication Design, and Computer Arts. Which enriched my skillset ranging from illustration, animation, motion graphics, graphic design, and interactive installation. To be an artist, the importance is on the professional technique you use to create, the philosophy you believe and your uniqueness. My learning path is so complicated, it takes longer than most of the people. But it also gives me an open mind in terms of choosing methodologies. Creation became a free willing expression action choosing one or multiple media altogether. I believe art is first- be enriched. Second- reduce. Find the right way to create. It is all about construction and de-construction, then cycle it back. I am now in the phase of being a brand-new person focusing on multiple threads of creation. I do riso printing about a piece of illustration or small zine, I have an illustration project to keep track of new york daily, I am into dark, ritual culture western or Eastern related, so I also do realistic style cg animation. One of my cg animations already won many awards. I also do technical direction and develop procedural tools utilized in Houdini and the game engine to save artists time. The project I was doing while I worked in Tencent is to help develop an Unreal Engine and Web dual engine procedural 3D global map data visualization tool. It requires much technical knowledge and 3D modeling, shader scripting, VFX, and many other graphic fields of knowledge. I also do motion graphic shorts, title sequences, infographics, etc. I do branding, I am the co-founder of an e-shop. I also run a social media account that owns 10k fans so far. I am an artist who devotes plenty of time to digging myself and creating. I am also a professional creative field candidate effective in working. In all, I think now I am a very free artist, regulating my time into different chunks, each chunk I will try my best to create solid work. The more I learn, the more I am capable now. I will continue to learn, very stubbornly. I find myself trying so hard to learn everything to achieve visual requirements.
Through my work, I engage in riso printing, producing one-of-a-kind illustrations and small zines. Additionally, I am involved in an ongoing illustration project that captures the essence of daily life in New York. Drawing inspiration from dark, ritualistic cultures, both Western and Eastern, I craft realistic-style CG animations that have garnered multiple awards. Moreover, I offer technical direction and develop procedural tools within software like Houdini and game engines, streamlining workflows for fellow artists. My proficiency extends to motion graphics, where I create dynamic shorts, captivating title sequences, and informative infographics. I also have experience in branding and have co-founded an e-shop.
With my strong technical background and a balanced mindset that integrates logic and emotion, I constantly seek to learn and adapt to the ever-evolving art landscape. My ultimate goal is to develop integrated projects that seamlessly combine technology and art, delivering immersive and interactive experiences that captivate audiences. By merging technology and artistic creation, I aim to provide a visually stunning and engaging journey that becomes a sightseeing fest for viewers. Through these endeavors, I demonstrate my versatility, unwavering commitment to artistic growth, and passion for pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of immersive experiences.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative professional lies in the dissolution of boundaries between work and life. As an electronic engineer, my focus was often confined to the task at hand, prohibiting me from enjoying the simple pleasure of listening to music while working. However, as a creative, inspiration flows freely from a myriad of sources—movies, books, chance encounters, and even everyday objects like a humble paper bag. I am able to revel in my artistic journey throughout the day, immersing myself in the beauty of creation.

Moreover, being an artist has opened doors to meaningful connections with fellow creators and art enthusiasts. Through these interactions, I have had the privilege of encountering a diverse range of individuals who share a passion for artistic expression. Each person I meet, whether an established artist or a casual appreciator of art, becomes a potential teacher from whom I can glean invaluable insights. This dynamic exchange of ideas and knowledge fuels my growth as an artist and instills within me a sense of boundless energy.

To embrace a life dedicated to art is a profound privilege, for it allows me to merge my passion with my profession. This harmonious integration grants me the freedom to explore, learn, and constantly evolve as an artist. It is in this state of creative fulfillment that I find the true essence of my artistic journey—a constant flourishing and blossoming of both my craft and myself.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I want to use the example of a social account I run. I started my social media account ” One O’CLOCK in UESTC” during my third year of college, focusing on college community culture. Over time, my account has grown to reach 10k followers. Here are some key points that contributed to building my audience:

Unique Selling Point: I found a specific area of interest within the college community culture that resonated with my target audience: college students and their friends and families. This allowed me to provide content that instantly resonated with them.

Memorable Brand Identity: I established a strong brand identity through a catchy name, key visual elements, and a straightforward slogan. This helped make my account easily recognizable and memorable among the target audience.

Regular Content Updates: I am in charge of a studio where a bunch of students and teachers are developing this account altogether. We consistently posted new and engaging content to keep our audience interested and coming back for more. We shared diverse topics, such as student fashion, local restaurant recommendations, philosophical insights, and community events, ensuring there was always something exciting for my followers to discover.

High Standards: We maintained high-quality standards for our posts by adhering to a well-designed style guide. This ensured that our content was visually appealing and consistent to be recognized by our audience.

Regenerated and Enriched Topics: To keep our account worthy to be followed, the audience always expects something new. I chose topics that could be regenerated or expanded upon. Such as festivals, big events in college life such as the final week preparing for tests, some college students’ relationship insights, how to make traditional foods on certain day, etc. This allowed us to provide ongoing value to our audience and kept them engaged.

In short:
Find a specific area of interest or focus that resonates with the specific target audience.
Develop a memorable brand identity that stands out.
Explore varied related topics to keep content diverse and interesting.
Consistently share fresh and engaging content to keep the audience hooked.
Strive for high-quality posts that meet the expectations of the audience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://barbiekim.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barbiekimmm/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yifei-jin/
• Other: https://www.therookies.co/entries/25834