Today we’d like to introduce you to Yiran Wang

Hi Yiran, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.

Hello, my name is Yiran Marcel Wang, originally from Chongqing, China. Currently, I am a technical artist at The Mill, a dynamic Advertising and Brand Experience company specializing in VFX and Creative Technology. Our passionate team is dedicated to bringing virtual characters to life using real-time technology, previsualization, and offline workflows. This innovative approach allows us to craft memorable, interactive experiences featuring both new and familiar faces. As a technical artist, I primarily utilize game engines and CG tools to bring my creative visions to fruition.

My academic background in Oil Painting as an undergraduate often comes as a surprise to my friends and colleagues. Transitioning from a traditional and classical art form to the forefront of technological innovation has been a challenging yet rewarding journey. The decision to pivot toward creative technology during my sophomore year led to three years of intensive preparation for graduate studies. This hard work culminated in my acceptance to the Interactive Telecommunications Program at New York University.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

Throughout this journey, I have navigated various challenges, including misunderstandings with my parents, language barriers, the frustrations of learning new software, and the complexities of developing art projects. Despite these obstacles, my excitement and commitment to my goals never waned, ultimately guiding me to my current position.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?

As a technical artist, I work with a wide range of software and technologies, specializing in real-time technology. My role involves executing the motion capture pipeline, from operational tasks to animation cleanup. In character creation, I develop characters in Unreal Engine using 3D assets, create realistic grooms, and refine assets by painting textures, modeling accessories, and creating Lookdev in the game engine. I consider myself a generalist, proficient in a variety of software and capable of utilizing each effectively. My work not only encompasses technical artistry but also involves continuous learning in CG disciplines like modeling and texturing. My passion for learning and being a multidisciplinary artist drives me to explore and master different software tools. Beyond my professional work, I engage in music production, physical installations, electronics, fabrication, and creative visuals.

One of my favorite and most proud projects is the creation of an immersive and lifelike virtual representation of the renowned footballer Erling Haaland, showcased at the FIFA24 Launch Event. The high-fidelity real-time avatar amazed the audience and even Erling himself.

Besides my work, I create my own artistic projects as well. My own artistic projects primarily explore the realm of emotions. My recent works delve into themes such as human pain, meditation, and peace, aiming to evoke delicate feelings and provoke personal reflections and memories in the viewer. Whether the emotions elicited are beautiful, joyful, or painful, they are authentic and resonate on a personal level. For those interested in exploring my projects further, I invite you to visit my website!

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?

I’m always open to working on exciting projects that involve real-time technology, character creation, or any other aspect of technical artistry. You can support my work by following me on social media, sharing my projects, and providing feedback.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yiranwang.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcel_wang_/