Today we’d like to introduce you to Yichun Lin.
Hi Yichun, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Being a creator is always my dream since I was a child. I am always sensitive to color and graphics. Doodles and sketches were my favorite hobbies as a kid. One day I drew a portrait of my teacher and showed her my work; she gave me a big smile after seeing it. After that, I knew my creativity could amaze people. The experience prompted me to be more motivated in the created field in the future. After graduating from college, I chose to come to the United States, a country full of creativity and passion. Along the way, I meet many people and hear stories that inspire me and enrich my creations. I also got many opportunities to work with different people and learn various concepts. Currently, I work at a design agency, and the daily challenges keep me fascinated and motivated.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I am not going to say it always works smoothly. I am always down to creative tools and explore new skills to present crazy ideas. As a young artist, I used to think that stunning visuals contributed to the uniqueness of my work. I always pay attention to the aesthetics of my work, which often successfully attracts attention. However, it also causes my creations to be considered superficial and without connotation. Until I came to the United States, I was inspired by many brilliant artists. I usually think about the appearance before connecting to the story. Rather than focusing on the image, I try to tell a story, then use the image to extend the story. This wasn’t an easy journey for me. You know, it is difficult to change the way you do your work. You definitely can have eyecatching design work. Of course, you have to have a solid vision to attract the audience. But the connection between content and image is what has to be seen. A balance between visuals and content is crucial to convincing your audience. Many people give me advice on this. Thanks to them, I understand how to tell stories and express my ideas better. At the moment, I am still learning.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I have always wanted to share the stories of my hometown. One of my favorite works is the urban imagery series like Urban Impression and A Night in Taipei. Los Angeles has profoundly impacted this work. When I visited Los Angeles many years ago, I was struck by the gorgeous lighting of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The excitement and energy from this city inspired me to promote my hometown stories. I hope people can learn about my hometown through my work.
Additionally, I specialize in creating brand visuals. Establishing a brand from a logo to an entire visual system requires many considerations. Any decision will lead to a different result. Throughout the process, I was excited to keep exploring new possibilities.
One of my works, the branding of Taichung Public Library, is a project I like very much. Taichung is one of the cities in my hometown Taiwan. I made a visual system based on a recently completed library building and park. In developing the brand image, I did a lot of research on how to tie together the library park and the facilities. It was a work on which I spent a lot of time and won an award that year.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
For me, connecting with people is more significant than learning skills from schools or books. In the past, I only focused on how to improve my work. For research, I often go online, to the library, or to exhibitions, which greatly helps me. Then, I met a group of artists who love to create as much as I do. I learned more about different perspectives by communicating with them. Not only for works but also for finding inspiration from many perspectives. After moving to the United States, I met new friends from different cultures, which allowed me to learn more diverse stories. People will have varying opinions on the same issue depending on their cultural backgrounds. It allows me to be more active in thinking, and I have a broader perspective of view. Attending design and art workshops is very helpful for me. I met many friends in the same field, which also helped me get more job opportunities. Most importantly, I take advantage of every chance that comes my way. You never know what will happen in the future. Any piece of work may bring you a new possibility.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yichunlincollection.com/
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/lllll_ky
- Other: be.net/linokmijn
