Today we’d like to introduce you to Max Liu.
Hi Max, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started my art journey in childhood, fueled by a love for Japanese animes and Hollywood films. I could not resist sketching scenes from them on paper. As a Chinese kid, my first art lesson was about traditional Chinese ink painting in elementary school. I then transferred to study western-realism painting style a few years later as a hobbyist. During that time, I found my love for making art and thought about turning it into my future career. With my parents’ backing, I turned my art hobby into a career through high school art classes. Delving deeper into the world of artistry during my college years, I discovered the transformative power of digital art—a medium that seamlessly combined my innate artistic sensibility with a rational design process.
Career-wise, I set my goal of becoming a professional digital artist and concept designer for the entertainment industry. With this goal in mind, I pursued and attained my master’s degree in the United States. Following graduation, I started as a freelance concept artist and got opportunities to contribute to various game, commercial, and stage design projects. Presently, I am honored to hold the position of concept artist at Ubisoft, one of the largest game development companies. Additionally, I dedicate my post-work hours to creating illustrations and traditional paintings. Looking back at my art journey so far, I still carry my dad’s words from my college days: crafting joy for others holds more value than just reveling in what’s already created.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey hasn’t been easy. I sensed pursuing art as a career seemed tough When I was learning painting in school. In China, many parents think art careers aren’t reliable and won’t bring in enough money. Because of this, a lot of my classmates gave up on art, but I stuck with it and ended up being one of the few who went to art school. I’m grateful for my parents’ support that made it possible. Facing another major setback in my art journey was in 2020, right after completing my studies at the School of Visual Arts in New York. I began my search for concept artist jobs, only to encounter significant challenges. The impact of COVID-19 made times exceptionally tough as many game and art studios were grappling with financial difficulties, leading to a decrease in hiring. It seemed almost impossible to secure a foothold in the industry during this challenging period. After a year of persistent efforts to build my art portfolio and gain industry experience through freelance work, I eventually landed my first full-time concept artist job, marking the official start of my creative career.
The path for artists, especially good ones, is not meant to be entirely smooth; in fact, it shouldn’t be. As creative individuals, our artworks are deeply intertwined with our life experiences and emotions. Art creation isn’t a routine task, so it’s crucial to remain sensitive and curious about the world around us. The creative process can be challenging, sometimes even torturous, driven by our pursuit of perfection. It’s tough, but it’s an integral part of being an artist. When it comes to the career aspect, being a creative individual can present a different scenario. In this realm, producing high-level art pieces within tight deadlines often holds more weight than striving for perfection but falling short of timely delivery. Sustaining this production consistency requires not only acquiring knowledge from the world, ensuring a vast visual library in my mind but also an ongoing commitment to enhance my art and design skills continuously.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
In my early school days, I served as an animation director, crafting independent narrative animations. Among them, I take great pride in the award-winning piece titled “NoWhereMan,” which received acclaim in 2020. The 5-minute animated short is about a national hero who was sacrificed by the government and the masses. The story follows a marshal who announces their first-time travel experiment to the public, only for the experiment to go awry, leaving the main character trapped in a never-ending loop of time. Beneath the surface of this seemingly successful creation lies an ironic truth. Artistically, my work was heavily influenced by expressionism, and I sought to infuse the vivid character style of this movement into our shots. The film garnered a positive reception, securing victories at film events such as the Los Angeles Film Awards, New York Film Awards, and Festigious International Film Festival.
Later on, I became a concept artist and started doing digital illustrations. I found immense joy in translating the vivid scenes in my mind into visuals that resonate with others. There’s an exhilaration in creating entire worlds from scratch, whether it’s envisioning futuristic cityscapes or fantastical landscapes that transport audiences to new dimensions. In my most recent world-building project, “The Sky Searchers,” I depicted a world where the surface of the earth is shrouded in poisonous gases released by the plants. Survivors seek refuge in the highlands, prompting questions about their existence in this post-apocalyptic environment. How do they navigate? What kind of resources are they looking for? Which form of transportation are they gonna use? I answer these inquiries visually, weaving a narrative that goes beyond words.
During my free time while working full-time as a concept artist, I started playing around with digital illustrations. Why? Because I wanted to see what more I could do with art and express myself in different ways. Trying out narrative illustrations seemed like a cool idea. Stepping out of my comfort zone is something I believe in, and it’s this willingness to explore that makes my love for art stand out. I just want to keep things fresh and exciting.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
For creative folks, especially those just diving into art and design, having a broad view of the art industry or market is super crucial. I’ve made it a habit to stay updated on art news and trends. It helps me stay in the loop and understand where things are heading in the art world, which is pretty handy, especially when you’re just starting out. It allows me to identify emerging opportunities, understand the preferences of the audience, and adapt my artistic endeavors to meet evolving demands. A principle I live by is to never stop learning and avoid getting too cozy in my comfort zone. Since graduating, I’ve been attending online concept art classes sporadically, and I recently wrapped up the latest one in July. After each course, I notice some tweaks and enhancements in my design mindset and art skills. These online classes not only offer a chance for improvement but also serve as incredible opportunities to draw inspiration from my skilled instructors and classmates. It’s like a continuous cycle of growth and inspiration that keeps my creative journey exciting and ever-evolving.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maxliuwendy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maxliuutada/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chong-liu-6b4753169/
