Rising Stars: Meet Jane Jingyu Zhang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jane Jingyu Zhang.

Hi Jane Jingyu, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a passionate Visual Development/Concept Artist and Illustrator based in Los Angeles, California. I graduated from the University of California Los Angeles in 2022, where I majored in Animation. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to work for HB Wink Productions, Back To Normal (LatinX in Animation Grant Winner Animated Film), Xalter Studios, and Baobab Studios. Currently, I’m a Concept Artist, designing environments and props at Revolving Games.

I fell in love with animation and game concepts through my love for storytelling and for creating a cute and heart-warming world. Both of my parents are writers, and they used to tell me all kinds of interesting bedtime stories. They inspire me to imagine and to create. It wasn’t until later that I got to know I could actually work for animation and games. I remember during that time, I watched Kiki’s Delivery Service, Ratatouille, and Kungfu Panda for over ten times because I loved them so much. Every time I was really excited to see the credits and learn about the talents who worked behind the films, imagining I could be one just like them. Also as an animal lover, I was obsessed with Tamagotchi, an interactive game where I could keep a virtual pet. Even though I couldn’t keep a cat or a dog, through this game I got to have really cool and magical furry friends. I began to design my own magical pets with my childhood best friend, and it was really fun to create a world for them!

I love to put a smile to my audience by creating illustrations, concepts, and short animations. My style could be described as cute, heartwarming, whimsical, nostalgic, and painterly. And I like to paint animals and kids as my main characters. I believe the power of storytelling can heal and encourage.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This journey hasn’t been a smooth road for me. I can certainly be described as a resilient and hardworking individual. I didn’t come from an art school, so I learned everything through online classes and self-taught, such as painting fundamentals, animation programs (Adobe Suits, Procreate, etc), and 3D (Maya and Blender), etc. I also had to reach out and build networks by myself. Luckily, there are many platforms to learn and to connect. I really want to appreciate platforms such as Kazone Art Academy and Warrior Art Camp for giving aspiring students an opportunity to learn. Through this time of finding resources and self-learning, I definitely have developed strong discipline, time management skills, and the courage to always reach out.

Besides acquiring the necessary skills, I have encountered many rejections when applying for animation and game concepts jobs. It was hard to feel rejected but I learned that they are actually really helpful lessons and feedback to accelerate my growth. They are also really good opportunities for me to connect with industry professionals. Through rejections, I got to know and made friends with people who I admire, and eventually they led to my now full-time job.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Visual Development/Game Concept Artist and Illustrator who loves creating heartwarming and cute worlds. In these worlds, you can always expect some furry, adorable friends and nostalgic, magical settings. I am skilled in both 2D and 3D. I love incorporating 3D modeling and lighting (in Blender and Maya) into my design process. Currently, I’m a Concept Artist at Revolving Games. When I am not working, I am an animal lover who spends her time caring for her underwater garden/aquarium, hamsters, and rescues stray cats. In the near future, I’m hoping to illustrate children’s books and to create my own IPs.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
As a Concept Artist, I found myself always learning and improving. Even after I graduated, I never stopped taking classes, such as Blender, animations, and product design, etc. I learned that I need to consistently improve my crafts. However, this process has also been taxing and could lead to burnout. I learned the importance of how to relax and embrace myself, telling myself that it is okay to take a break. I learned that sometimes, having more time for myself could give me more inspiration and energy to create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.janepaints.work/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janejingyuz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-jingyu-zhang-347223118/

Image Credits
Jane Jingyu Zhang, and my mentors: Charles Lee and Albert Lim from Kazone Art Academy, Cathleen McAllister, Azusa Tojo from Warrior Art Camp