We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yue Li a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yue, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was instill an optimistic heart and a positive mindset. They taught me to see the bright side in every situation, which has shaped the way I approach life and art. Even though it was challenging for me to be hard of hearing, they encouraged and trained me to speak, empowering me to express myself and connect with others. Their support and belief in my abilities helped me embrace resilience and find strength in my voice, shaping who I am as both an artist and a person.

Yue, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello! I’m Yue Li, a freelance illustrator and designer. I’m diving deep into projects focused on accessibility, diversity, and inclusion—especially for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. As someone with a cochlear implant, I understand firsthand the challenges of communication, and I’ve come to appreciate the power of art as a tool for expression and connection. Through my work, I aim to build bridges that allow people to feel seen and heard, using art as a universal language.

I’m passionate about exploring inclusive possibilities in art and design, from picture books, posters, and motion to other diverse art forms. My creative works often emphasize bold colors and vibrant energy, drawing inspiration from sources like animated movies, dancing, and strong beats of music. This combination of influences helps me create art that is dynamic, visually engaging, and, most importantly, accessible to a wide audience.

I create lots of pieces of artwork that focus on visualizing storytelling, sound, or music. The children’s book artwork, “Rabbit Lilly,” aims to support special children and promote understanding. This artwork showed my vision: to use art as a means of connecting with others and championing inclusivity. My work is unique in its focus on addressing specific needs in the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community, and I’m constantly looking for new ways to make art and design more inclusive.

All in all, my aim is not just to create beautiful visuals but also to address unique needs, especially within communities often overlooked by mainstream media. I want to create a welcoming space through my art, one that celebrates diversity and accessibility. 

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the way art allows me to communicate and express myself, especially as someone who is profoundly deaf. Initially, art became my language—a bridge to connect with my family and share my thoughts and feelings. Later, after receiving a cochlear implant, I can communicate, though it remains a challenge. I realized that art can express not only my own voice to a wider audience but also help advocate for disability voice.

Being an artist is about more than creating beautiful work; it’s also a journey of self-healing. Art gives me the freedom to craft imaginative worlds, which are both fun and meaningful, but art also solves real-world challenges. For instance, creating a mural can transform an environment, lifting the mood of those who see it. Designing art on products brings beauty into people’s everyday lives. Art, for me, is not only a source of healing and joy but also a powerful bridge for connection and understanding.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission to make art accessible and inclusive, especially for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, drives my creative journey. I keep creating work that reflects my own experiences and bridges gaps in understanding, helping people from all backgrounds feel seen and included. Art, for me, is a powerful tool for expressing myself but also advocating accessibility and celebrating diversity in all its forms.

My goal is to create art and design that promote accessibility, raise awareness about disabilities, and support the mental health of those with them. I believe that art resonates with everyone, providing opportunities for understanding, acceptance, and healing. Also, I believe art can make the world beautiful in the spirit.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yuelistudio.com
• Instagram: yue_lily_li

Image Credits

Yue Li