We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yuwei Liu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yuwei , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I first realized my passion for pursuing a creative/artistic path professionally when I was in middle school. At that time, whenever people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, my answer was always “an artist.” However, this was a very general idea because I didn’t fully understand what being an artist meant at that time. All I knew was that I loved to draw, and I wanted art to be a part of my life.
Throughout my high school years, I faced the pressure of academic studies and the need to consider my future college major. Despite these challenges, my desire to pursue my art dream never wavered. It was during this time that I first began to understand the difference between being an artist and being a designer.
Although I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the creative field, it took me a long time to figure out exactly which path to follow. After much exploration and self-discovery, I eventually recognized myself as both an illustrator and motion designer.
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.
Hey there! I’m Yuwei Liu, an illustrator and motion designer originally from China and currently living in Savannah, Georgia. By day, I’m a full-time illustrator and designer at Deel, where I pour my creativity into various projects. By night (and sometimes weekends), I’m a freelance illustrator, always on the lookout for opportunities to expand my visual repertoire.
My journey into the world of design began during my three-year study at Savannah College of Art and Design. It was there that I honed my visual language, deepened my understanding of art and design, and sharpened my critical thinking skills. As a multidisciplinary designer, I’ve dabbled in various formats, from illustration to motion graphics, tackling subjects ranging from brand and visual storytelling.
Drawing and sketching have been my passions since childhood, and pursuing a career in design felt like fate. Clients often seek me out for my multidisciplinary approach, which allows me to approach design challenges from unique perspectives and formats. I thrive on combining illustration with motion to breathe life into concepts and tell compelling stories in fresh, engaging ways.
In a nutshell, I’m a creative soul with a passion for bringing ideas to life through design and illustration. Let’s make something cool stuff together!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
I believe that artists and creatives should have more authority over their own work and be taken more seriously in conversations about art and creativity. It’s important for their voices to be heard and their contributions acknowledged.
When it comes to opportunities for artists, I personally enjoy visiting local markets where I can see many creatives selling their art and crafts. I find this to be an amazing way for artists to showcase their talent and connect with their community. I believe we need more opportunities like this, where artists can shine and share their work with the world.
Additionally, I think it’s crucial for society to recognize the effort that creatives put into their work by providing them with more financial support. Artistic endeavors often require significant time, resources, and dedication, and it’s important for artists to be able to sustain themselves financially while pursuing their passion.
I believe that supporting artists and creatives is not only beneficial for the individuals themselves, but also for society as a whole. Art has the power to inspire, challenge, and unite us, and we should do everything we can to support the creative community
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to take the ideas and images in my mind and bring them to life in a tangible form that others can see, touch, and experience. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see my thoughts and visions transformed into illustrations that evoke emotion and resonate with people.
Sometimes, the act of creation is not just about sharing my work with others, but also about exploring my own inner world and expressing my thoughts and feelings in a visual way. I find great joy and satisfaction of being able to visualize my ideas and things I loved.
I believe that images have a unique power to convey information and emotions that cannot always be communicated through words alone. By honing my skills as a creative, I’m able to harness this power and see the world from a different perspective. I love the idea that objects and concepts can be transformed in unexpected ways – where flowers can become musical instruments and caterpillars can turns into cars.
Being a creative allows me the freedom to explore my imagination without limitations. It’s a privilege to be able to create, record, and preserve both the good and the bad moments of life through my illustration. Ultimately, being an illustrator and designer is not just about making pretty pictures, but about capturing the essence of life and sharing it with the world in all its beauty and complexity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://momoyuwei.com/
- Instagram: momoyuwei_creative
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuwei-liu-113373213/