Daily Inspiration: Meet Xinyi Li

Today we’d like to introduce you to Xinyi Li.

Hi Xinyi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Looking back, I don’t think my journey has been about following a single discipline. What I’ve really been pursuing is how to tell stories that are convincing, meaningful, and visually compelling.

I grew up in China and later moved to the United States for my education. At the University of Wisconsin–Madison, I studied Communication Arts with a focus on film and media, while also pursuing Interior Architecture. Later, I continued my studies at UCLA, where I earned a Master of Architecture along with a Master of Science exploring spatial and digital environments. At the time, these fields might have seemed quite different, but over the years, I realized they were all teaching me the same thing: how to build worlds where stories can fully exist.

For me, storytelling isn’t only about narrative—it’s also about atmosphere, emotion, and the feeling a world can create. A strong story combined with thoughtful world-building can create an experience that feels immersive and unforgettable.

Today, much of my work focuses on visual storytelling through film and creative projects. When I make something, my intention is not simply to present images, but to create an experience for the viewer. What matters most to me is whether the work resonates with the audience—whether it moves them, sparks a new perspective, or allows them to experience something they might not have encountered before.

No matter what the viewer ultimately feels—calm, joy, nostalgia, reflection, or even discomfort—I hope the work leaves them with something. Even a small shift in how someone thinks or feels can make a story meaningful.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. For a long time, I was searching for what my real purpose was. During that process, there were many moments of confusion and uncertainty. Some of the struggles came from external pressures—expectations, practical realities, and the challenge of finding a clear path in creative fields. But there were also internal struggles, questioning whether I was making the right choices or moving in the right direction.

There were periods when I felt quite lost. When you’re trying to figure out what you truly want to do, it’s easy to be distracted by many different voices and possibilities. It took time for me to understand what genuinely mattered to me.

Looking back, I’m grateful that I eventually chose to listen to my own instincts and follow the direction that felt most authentic to me. Today I feel that I’m moving toward a path that I truly believe in. I also know it’s going to be a long journey, but that’s part of the process. For me, the most important thing is continuing to move forward on a path that feels meaningful and true to who I am.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m currently working as a director focused on digital and AI-driven visual storytelling. My work primarily involves creating animated films and visual pieces using a combination of traditional 3D animation and emerging AI technologies. I’m particularly interested in exploring how these new tools can expand the possibilities of visual storytelling and world-building, allowing me to experiment with mood, pacing, and spatial narrative in ways that traditional methods may not easily achieve.

Some of my recent projects include directing the animated music video for Puddle of Mudd’s single Monsters, which has been recognized with multiple awards at international film festivals. I also created a 10-minute AI animated short film titled The Lost Song, which similarly received several international awards. Additionally, I contributed some of the AI visual work to the immersive museum Amazing Zhulong, which was displayed at the China Art Museum in Shanghai, combining immersive digital environments with a fantastical narrative experience.

I have also recreated visual scenes in 3D inspired by several classic films, including Blade Runner 2049 and Dune 2 by Denis Villeneuve, The Grand Budapest Hotel by Wes Anderson, and Dreams by Akira Kurosawa. These projects serve as a way for me to study cinematic language deeply while experimenting with how new technologies can reinterpret iconic visual worlds.

What sets me apart from others is my background and approach: I focus intensely on the emotional expression of each frame, the aesthetics, the rhythm of narrative pacing, and the level of detail in visual storytelling. This attention to nuance allows me to craft immersive experiences where every element—color, lighting, composition, and movement—serves the story and emotional journey.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a curious and imaginative kid. I spent a lot of time observing the world around me and thinking about how things worked. I was naturally drawn to anything visual and creative, and I’ve always been a fairly introspective person who enjoys spending time in my own thoughts. I’m quite demanding of myself and tend to set very high standards for my work and for what I want to achieve.

I was especially interested in films, animation, and visual media growing up. I was fascinated by how images and stories could make people feel something or see the world from a new perspective—something that still drives my work today.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/eonviz/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irene.xinyi.li/

Image Credits
Profile Picture: Sihyunhada Gangnam Original