We recently had the chance to connect with Kris Yu and have shared our conversation below.
Kris, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are a mix of routine and preparation. I start by getting up, dressing, and taking my dog out for a morning walk — it’s a calming way to ease into the day. After that, I head to the office. Before diving into work, I usually grab a coffee or a quick snack to settle in. Once I’m at my desk, I begin reviewing my tasks and preparing for the day’s production goals.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a staff-level Environment Artist at Blizzard Entertainment, currently working on Diablo IV. My passion lies in crafting immersive, story-rich worlds that enhance the player’s experience and support gameplay. What makes my work exciting is the constant collaboration across departments — from props and lighting to level design — to bring AAA environments to life. I started in the industry with a strong focus on visual storytelling and have since grown into a role that bridges art direction and technical execution. I’m passionate about elevating quality through thoughtful design, iteration, and teamwork, and I love sharing my journey to help other artists grow in the field.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just a regular kid trying to adapt to constant change. My family moved a lot — we immigrated from China to New Zealand, and later to Australia, where I finished high school. That experience shaped much of who I am, but at the time, it just felt like I was always starting over. I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to study in college or what kind of future I was heading toward. I was just trying to find my footing in unfamiliar places, figuring things out one step at a time — without any set expectations of who I was supposed to become.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Something I changed my mind about after failing pretty hard was the importance of being patient and taking the time to really focus on my craft. Back in school, I was super eager to make cool environment art, but I rushed into things without solid fundamentals. It didn’t turn out great. That experience made me slow down, do proper research, collect solid references, and actually think through each step. Funny enough, that piece ended up becoming one of my best. It taught me that taking your time really does pay off.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that growth and self-belief really matter to me. I wasn’t very confident when I first started out, but they always encouraged me — even when I didn’t feel like I was any good. Their constant support and kind words kept me going. Over time, I started to believe in myself too. Now I’ve reached some of the goals I once thought were out of reach, and I’ve gained real confidence because of that journey — and because of them.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had only 10 years left, I’d stop putting off the things I’ve always wanted to do. I’d quit my job and finally dive into passion projects like making music and exploring traditional art. I’ve always had a creative side I haven’t fully tapped into. I’d travel more, see the world, and most importantly, spend quality time with my family — no more waiting for the “right time” to live the life I truly want.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artstation.com/krisyu
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-yu-3a2059171/
Image Credits
TAKEOVER – is inspired by Dawid Jurek’s concept
Abandonded Interior is inspired by Gabriel Nagypal
Blood Moon Village is inspired by 茄茄
