Check Out Loulou Luyao Yan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Loulou Luyao Yan.

Hi Loulou Luyao, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Onward, into the fog! My story is one of determination and challenging myself to take risks to do what I love.

Hello! I’m a Chinese-born, award-winning illustrator, designer, and animator based in the US. In my past working experience, I have successfully contributed illustrations, designs, and animations for some well-known companies and I won several awards in the competitive industry.

I was an international student who came to America with no connections to anyone or anything, fresh out of school and super hungry to express myself as an illustrator and an animator. I graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 2020, a tumultuous year marked by the global pandemic; I chose to remain in the States when many returned home. This decision wasn’t easy – it was laden with uncertainty and frustration yet fueled by an unyielding ambition and passion. I graduated with honors and a couple of significant scholarships at the School of Visual Arts. As a fresh graduate, I was full of ambition and passion. But the reality is always full of uncertainty and difficulty. I lost my Grandpa, split up with one of my closest friends, and sent out a lot of emails to studios and companies with a few responses. It was a long period and a hard time to go through — of uncertainty and frustration.

As an Alien working in the US. A valid working permit is required. I decided to take on that challenge and apply for the O1 Visa after speaking with friends and family. It’s the working Visa for Alien who has extraordinary ability in their professional area. The O-1 application requires a preponderance of evidence that the individual has extraordinary ability. The evidence submitted must demonstrate that the individual is one of a small percentage who has risen to the very top of the field of endeavor. There was a lot of work that needed to be prepared as a beginner or a foreigner like me during that pandemic time. Thanks to that time, I learned a lot about the creative world and drastically improved my skill sets. Every day I tirelessly sent cold emails to studios and companies and checked Motionographer, Behance, Instagram, and artist’s websites to see what was going on in the industry and to learn new design tricks.

My first freelance gig was for The Washington Post. Receiving their work invitation was a moment of pure joy and validation. The project involved designing the cover for their Sunday Business Section, a process that honed my ability to empathize with the subject matter and collaborate effectively with my Art Director. The positive feedback I received bolstered my confidence in my storytelling skills.

I started to receive more work invitations from some amazing companies and studios, won some important awards in the industry, and got some wonderful opportunities. My work was shown in all five boroughs, on 7000+ link screens in New York City. One of my artworks was chosen, printed, and displayed in Nasdaq’s brand-new global headquarters. It even was presented on the giant Nasdaq screen in Times Square! And my application for the O1 artist visa was approved. I was encouraged. I never thought I could go this far when I just graduated. But right now, I believe and I’m ready to go further. In the future, I want to do more work on a bigger scale or even bigger commissioned work. It’s exciting to think of what is next!

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?
First, being apart from my family such far away. I had been stuck in the US for almost four years because of the global pandemic. I really, really miss my family and the food that my mother cooked. I truly want to go back home and spend a meaningful lifetime with them before I embark on my next adventure. Furthermore, my mother misses me and doesn’t want me to work or live overseas.

The second hardest thing was that many of my friends have struggled with the visa process in the US. As a foreigner, It has been a complicated process for me as well. It took time but luckily I made it.

The third hardest thing was the most hard one which was the self-imposed high standards often weighed heavily. I always want to push my boundaries and be better. I’ve always had a thing for collecting and sharing awesome stuff I found on the internet. I use it as a way to compare my work with what’s out there; it’s like a slap in the face, reminding me how far off from making really awesome stuff I still am. maybe I should be patient and go easy on myself 🙂

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is my passion, nurtured with care and high regard for feelings and details. My style ranges in different variations from highly illustrative to minimal pieces, and my characters are full of personality and individuality.

I’m good at storytelling and translating complex concepts into clear illustrations and storytelling that communicate in a clever and eye-catching way.

To delve into my journey and view my creations, please visit luyaoyan.com.

What makes you happy?
When I was just about to graduate in 2020, My College – the School of Visual Arts, recognized me with the James Jean Scholarship (only three students won in the whole department) and featured my work on their official website, which brought me some potential opportunities later on. I was kind of timid and lacked enough confidence in my artwork, but after I shared it on social media, my work got some attention that I never would have imagined. It was an honor for me to have so many people like and support my work; I never would have imagined these incredible opportunities. Thank you so much for that.

Those years were filled with tough moments, I couldn’t make it without help. Along the way, I had the good fortune to come across thoughtful people without whom this would not have occurred. I’d like to shout out to my mom and my friends Jackie Tian and Lisk Feng. (Quick side note: Lisk Feng is a really brilliant illustrator and a terrific friend. She inspires, teaches, and motivates people, including me.) The trust and support I received from friends, family, and other loved ones is beyond words. I am truly grateful for that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://luyaoyan.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loulouyan/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luyao-yan-5jiushi666/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/loulouyan

Image Credits
picture 01. Repairman (Editorial Illustration for The Washington Post Sunday Business Section’s cover)
picture 02. Anti-Capitalist Practices in Hospitality（Editorial Illustration, Society of Illustrators – Illustrators 65 exhibit and book – Illustration Selected)
picture 03, 04, and 05. Partnerships can unlock growth (Design for Nasdaq, the artwork was chosen, printed, and displayed in Nasdaq’s brand-new global headquarters in Times Square, New York City.)
picture 06 and 07. Winter in NYC (Design for LinkNYC, the illustration was shown in all five boroughs, on 7000+ link screens in New York City.)
picture 08. wish the summer never ends
picture 09. You are Sweet
picture 10. Embrace that struggle
picture 11 and 12. Your Hidden Friends (The animation is about a little boy who is afraid of turning the lights off when he goes to bed, but then he overcomes his fear. I want this piece to help relieve kids of some of their fears of the dark, ghosts, and the unknown.) Won Society of Illustrators 65 Annual Silver Medal and The One Club for Creativity – YOUNG ONES ADC Silver Award in Motion Category)