Today we’d like to introduce you to Katherine Yang.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am currently a graduate student at USC pursuing an MS degree in Environmental Data Science. I have held a passion for wildlife since I was a child, and that passion has continued to fuel my endeavor in using illustration and design as a way to promote wildlife conservation. I self-studied illustration and animation a few years ago, and since then, they have become an inseparable part of my journey in conservation.
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?
It’s hardly a smooth road. Ever since high school, my past experience has been focused on statistics and data analysis, and I’ve never seriously considered illustration to be a possible career choice. I also don’t know anyone who does illustration or animation. Therefore, when I first started to work as an illustrator a few years ago, I had a lot of self-doubt and insecurity. Yet these feelings also became part of my drive that pushes me to improve my skills and take more initiative in learning. Luckily, I’ve met a lot of great friends and mentors after I finished my undergraduate degree, who encouraged me to continue pursuing something that I’m truly passionate about. I really appreciate their support during my journey in illustration.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have been working as a freelance illustrator, and I specialize in wildlife illustration and design. I am particularly interested in exploring animal motions and the unique power displayed in animal motions. As an avid birder, a lot of my works are associated with birds. I am most proud of my interdisciplinary background in both illustration and environmental conservation, which enables me to better depict the unique beauty of all kinds of animals and display why we should care about having such diverse biodiversity in our lives.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Shanghai, China, where I was mainly surrounded by skyscrapers and commercial buildings, which made me long for a life that’s more connected to nature. During my childhood, I watched a lot of documentaries on wildlife and loved all kinds of outdoor experiences. These experiences made me more aware of the natural environment around me and made me care more about how we could better share the environment with other wildlife.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katherineyang.portfolio.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katherineyangart/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenting-yang-1105/
