Life & Work with Yih Yao

Today we’d like to introduce you to Yih Yao.

Yih, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am a nerdy CG animation artist who’s always dreaming of bridging the gap between art and technology. I am deeply passionate about storytelling and have an even greater fondness for capturing emotional moments in stories, whether visually or verbally. A good mastery of the CG production process enables me to flesh out an idea step by step, creating immersive worlds that not only reflect my emotions but also resonate with others. If someone told me they just had a profound dream from the cozy noon sunshine in my animated film, that’s what I live for!

Animation isn’t an easy career path, one that typically demands unwavering passion, often rooted in childhood. I believe this is true for many in the field, and I am no exception.

As a child, I used to be the superpower girl soaring through the sky in my flipbooks. Later, I became the protagonist of my own memories, roughly sketched on the margins of exam papers. Countless feature animation films have given me immense courage along my journey of growth and in pursuit of my dreams, which has firmly strengthened my determination to dive into the animation industry. I had the chance to mingle and work with numerous talented animation artists in one of the best animation programs in China, sharing experiences and collaborating on projects. This not only helped me grow into a more mature collaborator but also made me acutely aware of my areas for improvement.

Following my graduation, I devoted two years to the feature animation industry. In addition to honing advanced technical skills, I learned to view creation from a broader perspective. The operation of feature animation projects relies heavily on sophisticated production pipeline management and specialized in-house software, experiences that were not part of our student curriculum.

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?
Things have gone pretty smoothly for me from a career standpoint, a lot of which I owe to my parents. They’ve always been there, backing every decision I make. While from my own road of growth, it’s a liitle bit different. I am dealing with consistant anxiety in recent days. CG is a way to tell my stories. But technology changes so fast, it’s always affecting how we work the budget involved. It’s like there’s this endless list of new things to learn, new tech to get the hang of. And in that rush, I can feel I sometimes lose sight of the real, meaningful stuff happening around me. This can be overwhelming, leaving me feeling a bit lost amidst all the tech. But I’m actively seeking my way back to balance.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work as a Lighting and Lookdev Artist in the animation industry, but I am more recognized as a Character Artist on social media as I’ve created some character assets with vivid surfacing material in 3D programs.

I also do lots of concept designs. To me, color, shade, and light are all concerned with emotions. As a lighting artist, I see my work as a means of creating an emotional connection between the audience and the characters on the screen. By carefully crafting the lighting and visual elements, I can bring the story to life and immerse the audience in an imaginative world. Every shift in color and light can help to convey the mood and emotion of the scene and capture the essence of the story being told.

The prolonged practice of concept art and photography has shaped me with a strong visual sense of color and being meticulous about subtle refinement.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
It feels like everyone I’ve encountered has become a mentor in their own way, subtly shaping and guiding me. I love talking and listening to those around me. These conversations have opened my mind to different ways of thinking, allowing me to understand the varied experiences of others. This has immensely enriched my emotional depth and broadened my perspective, serving as a constant source of inspiration.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yihyaocatchtheshine.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poulainyao/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yih-yao-60919420b/