We recently connected with Yizhuo Li and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yizhuo, thanks for joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

It started as a simple of hobby of mine. Back then I was still in my undergraduate year, studying a degree in biology and chemistry. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life outside of simply completing my studies. But then the pandemic hit and we all had to go into lockdown. Classes were suspended for months and there was very little to do at the time. It was the perfect opportunity for me to revisit some of my past hobbies to pass the time, and I slowly started getting into drawing. I was drawing for fun and drew whatever struck my fancy at the time. It proved to be a great way to pass lockdown and served as a great distraction from what was going on in the world.
When the lockdown finally lifted, I continued my drawing hobby whenever I had the time. By then my drawings have significantly improved and I had started taking a more invested focus beyond simply doing it for fun. People in my close circles started to take notice of it as well. I began to start drawing for more than my own enjoyment: small things like birthday cards, requests and favors, the like. It was things that didn’t really impact my plans for the future, which was still centered on getting through my studies. But I was starting to get ideas popping into my head. Throughout my time during lockdown, I followed several artists online who make illustrations for a living. I began to develop a fascination and understanding for their process of running a business. Things like how to take commissions, managing finances and how to promote your works on social media. These things greatly interested me, and I started imagining what it would be like to have that kind of career. To be able to do something that you enjoy and that sustains you through difficult moments, and have it give you a sense of purpose.
When I eventually completed my studies and had to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I thought that it was a good opportunity to explore the possibilities of turning my art hobby into something more serious.
I am still in the process of realising my ambitions. While starting this career, I am also applying to take a study course in design to further develop my skills and learn more about the practical aspects of this ambition of mine. There is a lot of things to learn and my inexperience means that growth has been slow. Life has thrown many issues so that growth hasn’t been steady. But it is still growth in the end, and I am excited where this journey will take me.

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 part-time freelance illustrator, creating illustrations, designs and other visual imagery on behalf of the client’s requests. The works can fulfill a wide range of functions and purposes. From logos & branding to commissioned artworks for the clients’ personal use. My style tends to lean towards a more modernistic & stylized flavor, and I like to include dynamism & bold colors to add a distinct appeal to the things I make in order to help me stand apart from other artists out there.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I am someone who tends to have an eye for detail, and I adhere strictly to making highly detailed and intricate designs to the very best of my ability. I do not wish to compromise on my art-making process, so nothing feels half-hearted in whatever I do. Every stroke and pixel has a purpose. And I guess this reflects in the finished results because it allowed to garner a reputation for making highly-detailed and visually appealing designs.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

When it comes to the art most important thing to how you grow your business besides skill and knowledge is networking. Without it you will not be able to thrive in this field of work.
It’s a common piece of advice you’d hear from anyone, but it is because it’s true. Opportunities come from the most unlikely of places, so it’s important that you must be open to interact with others. Making friends and connections will help you get far; it allows you to get your presence out there and being recognized by a wider range of people will lead to more opportunities for growth.
Furthermore, making connections while being your genuine self is key to making sure your relationships are built to be healthy and strong. Being yourself, and being able to express yourself will allow you to leave an impression on others. Your quirks will be what separates you from the rest of the crowd, especially in art, where individuality is so important. People will not remember you if you or your art is merely a copy-and-paste of others who have come before you. Leave an impression, so that people will remember you. Don’t follow the trends 100% as you won’t stand out amongst the crowd of other artists in the slightest.
To build further on this, it is important that you find a community of artists who share similar tastes as you. Find or create a group of people whose art styles and habits are similar to yours, whose visions and ambitions align with yours. Being in a community of artists allows for support, feedback and guidance from peers and fellow artists; this way, you can build upon your skills and develop your art even more effectively. You will not be able to grow and develop your art very well if you stick to doing it alone.

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• Twitter: @Sparto2K