Daily Inspiration: Meet Jessie Yuyun Jiang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessie Yuyun Jiang.

Hi Jessie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Hello, I am Jessie Jiang, a concept artist since 2019. My venture into art and design started in college, where I partook in the illustration BFA program at Rhode Island of Design. I was unsure about what type of work I would produce in the future until my second year in college; it was the time when some of the most extraordinary video games, such as Horizon Zero Dawn and the Last of Us, came to the stores. I was instantly in love and in awe with their sophisticated world-building and visuals. Video games are products for entertainment, but they are also works of art. As a concept artists, there is this sheer amount of joy where one can act like a world-smith and crafts wonder and spectacles. After graduation, I was most lucky to be able to attend a concept art internship at Sony Santa Monica for their game God of War Ragnarok, and afterwards, I was contracted by the Ascendant studio for Immortals of Aveum. Currently, I am still working as a concept artist and contributing to the projects at Ubisoft Toronto. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Sadly, it has not been what I would call a smooth journey; however, I am lucky enough to have received opportunities and help from others along the way. During my time in college, there was a lack of understanding of the skills and software required to be an artist working in video games within the school program and the student body. In this sense, I was a late starter, as I began my own research into the industry during my junior year in college. Fortunately, I was able to participate in an internship with MassDigi, where students from around Boston and abroad worked together to create small-scale indie games. This experience served as my introduction to concept art and also as the moment that made me realize how much more I needed to learn to catch up. My journey afterward can be summarized as working while learning on the job. It was somewhat tiring, compounded by the feeling of self-doubt after receiving so many rejection letters; my journey can be likened to a blend of a cocktail called “miserable life choice.” Still, there were moments of joy when I received help from people within the industry, and seeing their work made me wonder about the possibility of creating such magnificent pieces myself. This is what kept me going. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
As I’ve mentioned previously, concept artists are collaborative world-builders. We work closely with narrative teams to produce visuals and designs, which are then passed on to 3D artists to aid in the realization of props, characters, and environments. Outside of work, I am perhaps best known for my ArtStation projects and challenges that revolve around world-building. I take great pride in these works, as they reflect my passion and dedication, evident in every brushstroke. 

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
It has to be the moment I first discovered the taste of wasabi. In the common sense of children, brightly colored pastes are likely sweet like sugared cream. Back when I was small, Japanese cuisines were fairly rare in the part of Shanghai where my family lived. When I was first brought to a sushi place by my family, I truly believed that the deliciously green paste, hosted in a delicate little plate, was made of matcha, and therefore took a spoonful of it into my mouth. Afterwards, I felt like I had survived an assassination attempt by poisoning, and my misery in that moment surely brought joy to my family. It was unforgettable. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.artstation.com/polyvolchant