Rising Stars: Meet Xiyuan Yang of San Franciso

Today we’d like to introduce you to Xiyuan Yang.

Hi Xiyuan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Since I was a child, I have always had a deep love for painting and animation. While other kids watched cartoons just for fun, I found myself studying how the characters moved, how their eyes glowed with emotion, and how a simple expression could tell a whole story. Those moments ignited a quiet fascination within me, one that grew stronger as I did. By the time I finished high school, I knew there was only one path for me. I chose to follow my heart and attend an art college, ready to devote myself entirely to creating art that could move people the same way animation once moved me.

Now, as a student at the Academy of Art University, I can see how much I’ve grown—not just in skill, but in how I understand art and life. My studies have exposed me to many fields, from visual storytelling to traditional animation and digital techniques. Although my major is 2D animation, it was when I first encountered character design that I truly felt I had found my place. Designing characters felt like discovering a new kind of magic.

To me, character design is the art of creating life. It starts with observation—with noticing the way people smile, frown, or tilt their heads when they think. Then, imagination takes over. With each sketch, you breathe a little life into your creation until it begins to feel real. My favorite part is drawing expressions, because that’s when I can feel a character’s personality emerging. Every slight curve of the mouth or lift of the eyebrow carries emotion. As I draw, it feels as if the character begins to speak to me, telling their story through every line. That moment, when a figure on paper suddenly feels alive, is the reason I love what I do.

The path hasn’t been easy. There are days when frustration hits—when my ideas don’t come out the way I imagine, or when a design doesn’t feel right. But I’ve learned that every setback carries a lesson. Every failure and every slight improvement is a step forward. I see them as the colors that mix to paint my growth as an artist. My passion keeps me going, guiding me to explore, to experiment, and to keep creating. I know that with every stroke, I’m getting closer to becoming the kind of character designer who can bring hearts and stories to life.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There is no shortcut on the path of artistic creation. For me, creating art is both a joy and a struggle—a process filled with passion, doubt, and discovery. Sometimes, when I sit in front of a blank canvas, I feel an overwhelming emptiness. I don’t know what I want to draw, or worse, I know exactly what I want but can’t bring it to life the way I imagine. Those moments used to crush me. I would stare at my unfinished sketches, questioning whether I was truly capable of being an artist.

But over time, I learned to see these moments differently. Art doesn’t come from forcing ideas—it comes from living, feeling, and observing. Now, when I find myself lost or frustrated, I stop. I take a deep breath, step away, and go for a walk. I watch how the sunlight dances on the leaves, how people’s faces shift with emotion, how the world itself paints quietly in motion. And then, somewhere between the quiet air and my wandering thoughts, inspiration returns—softly, unexpectedly. I’ve realized that every struggle, every silence, is part of the creative rhythm. It’s what makes the final moment of creation so profoundly alive.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am an animation artist specializing in 2D animation and character design, with a particular passion for creating cute and expressive animal characters. I have helped design character designs for some animated short films and children’s publishing houses. My work is inspired by the small, heartwarming moments of daily life and the beauty of nature. I love transforming these observations into charming animal figures that carry human emotions—joy, curiosity, sadness, and hope. Through their expressions and gestures, I strive to make each character feel alive and relatable.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to make viewers feel emotionally connected to my characters. Whether it’s a shy raccoon, a playful cat, or a brave little bird, I want each one to have a distinct personality and story. For me, character design isn’t just about drawing—it’s about breathing life and warmth into imagination.

What sets me apart as an artist is my sincere and independent creative approach. I prefer working alone, fully immersed in my own world, where my ideas can grow freely. My artistic voice combines softness, emotion, and a touch of whimsy, allowing me to create characters that not only look cute but also express deeper feelings of love and connection.

How do you think about luck?
Luck, to me, has always been a quiet companion—sometimes gentle, sometimes challenging, but always pushing me forward in unexpected ways. I wouldn’t say I’ve relied on luck, but I’ve definitely felt its presence at key moments in my creative path. There have been times of good luck—meeting teachers who encouraged me, finding inspiration at the perfect moment, or receiving opportunities that helped me grow as an artist. But there’s also the “bad luck” that comes with creative struggles—projects that didn’t go as planned, or times when motivation seemed to vanish.

Yet, I’ve learned that what we call “bad luck” often turns out to be a hidden gift. Each setback has taught me patience, resilience, and trust in my own process. When a drawing fails, it reminds me that creation is never just about success—it’s about persistence and rediscovery. In that sense, luck has shaped both my art and my mindset. It reminds me that every experience, whether fortunate or not, adds depth to my creative voice. For me, luck is not about chance—it’s about staying open to whatever life brings and finding inspiration within it.

Contact Info:

• Website: jessieyang.carrd.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessieeee_yang/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiyuan-yang-979b542b4/

Image Credits
Jessie yang