Today we’d like to introduce you to Xiao Jin.
Hi Xiao, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I pursued both my undergraduate and graduate studies in architecture, and later came to SCI-Arc to deepen this path through a graduate program. Throughout my education, I explored a wide range of design possibilities within the digital realm. After graduation, I continued to hone my skills in this direction, expanding from spatial design to digital art.
Rooted in architectural aesthetics, I now use CG technologies as a medium of artistic expression — creating works that span from real-world elements like furniture to highly stylized, fictional vehicles and environments.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Was it easy? Not at all. Every stage has had its own kind of difficulty. And I’ve come to realize something about the relationship between effort and reward—it’s cyclical. Sometimes, your hard work pays off. Other times, it doesn’t. These cycles seem to move in years, not days or weeks. It may sound unscientific, but life is unpredictable. So when opportunities come, I’ve learned that it’s worth going after them, even if the outcome isn’t guaranteed.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What sets my work apart is that, while I was formally trained as an architect, I’ve always had a CG (computer graphics) heart. I didn’t begin studying CG seriously until after graduate school, but even before that, I was already drawn to digital expression. My perspective isn’t shaped entirely by the conventions of either field, and that in-between space is where my personal taste and style live. I’m not trying to fit into a category—I’m trying to create work that feels true to me.
What excites me most is the moment of breakthrough—the feeling when everything clicks in a piece. That brief moment of joy and pride, right when I finish and share something, is what keeps me going. Even though that excitement may fade as I grow, it never stops being meaningful.
Professionally, I wouldn’t say I’ve achieved anything especially grand in a societal sense. At every stage, I’ve done what’s expected, stayed in line with my peers. Maybe I’m not the “ideal product” of the system—but my work is getting better, and that’s what I’m proud of.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: build routines. Routines save energy and time. More importantly, they offer clarity—helping you know when to push forward, when to pause, and when it’s time to pivot. That kind of self-awareness is incredibly valuable.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://xiaoojin.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cerol946/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xiao-jin-42871a20b/
- Other: https://www.artstation.com/xiao_jin
Image Credits
1-4 images Credit to Kai Chen
