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

Yuki , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I think the most meaningful project for me is my undergraduate thesis animation titled Around. It tells the story of a character’s childhood memories after she left her hometown. The memories serve as roots supporting the character, and her hometown is always with her.

When I was working on assignments or daydreaming in my dorm in the US, memories of my hometown would often flash through my mind, like the view from my home’s balcony and the streets I frequently walked. These memories are like tree roots; even though I’ve left my hometown, they continue to nourish and support me as I move forward in life.

I started working on my thesis in January, but I found it challenging to clearly express and visualize this nostalgic feeling. My instructors thought the initial story draft was confusing, so I had to keep refining it until it became clear and solid.

I was initially worried that choosing an abstract story might be too challenging, especially since my classmates chose motion design work or narratives with voice overs that would be easier for the audience to understand. In the end, I decided to do the one that I am passionate about. If I missed the opportunity to explore my hometown in this project, I might find it difficult to find such passion in the future.

I am also very grateful to Kelly Warner for his assistance with the music. Without him, I wouldn’t have been able to complete the animation. I loved the lullabies my mother used to sing when I was a child, and Kelly helped me compose a smooth melody based on that. For me, this animation and music not only is the summary of my four years of undergraduate study but also serve as a reflection on my childhood and my hopes for the future.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi there! I am a first-year graduate student at the University of Southern California, currently majoring in Animation + Digital Art. Most of my work is like motion design and illustration. I love to experiment with various styles and media because I may feel bored by repetitive designs and routines. I hope to create unique work that audiences haven’t seen before.

I was a bit rebellious as a child. In elementary school, the complex and strict classroom rules made me feel a lot of pressure. This rigid environment did help every student improve grades and get into better schools, but it also limited students to the small space of their desks. All students came into one standard shape of a “successful student.” I am lucky and proud that I’ve become the shape I want to be and that I was able to choose a major I love: animation.

Freedom is a good thing, but it shouldn’t lead to complete indulgence. Setting a goal on the path of free choice is what truly matters. There was a time when I found myself in an environment with lots of free time, and I didn’t know what to do. My way of finding direction was to make a daily plan for myself and keep reading and learning new software every day.

I hope everyone can create freely with both passion and productivity.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Firstly, I often use websites like Pinterest and Behance. These platforms inspire me not only with illustration and animation work but also with photography, film, commercial art, installation design, and more. I can gather ideas and learn from various fields since creativity and appreciation for beauty are universal.

Secondly, I receive valuable guidance from my teachers and colleagues. They have more experience in the industry than I do. If I have the chance, I often schedule an office hour to ask for their advice. I haven’t had the chance to talk with all my professors yet, so I’ll continue to step outside my comfort zone.

Thirdly, there are some productivity tools like SyncSketch, Miro board, and Figma that are incredibly helpful. For 2D animators, SyncSketch allows you to clearly playback each frame, making it easy to see where adjustments are needed. Miro board and Figma are great for creating mind maps and gathering ideas, and both are straightforward to learn and use.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I believe the most important thing is understanding. Many families don’t want their children to pursue fields that seem less rewarding, like art, music, or sociology. Under pressure from parents and society, many people choose majors they don’t fully understand. For instance, a friend of mine from high school chooses finance as her major, and she is passionate about it and excelling. But she told me that if she could choose again, she would go for fashion design, as she’s loved fashion since she was young.

Moreover, art is not an easy path. I know many animators and designers who sacrifice their free time and sleep to keep practicing and create better work. I respect their passion and hope that their dedication will be recognized by more people.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yukiliart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yukiiii_youqili/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yukiliart