Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Yang.
Hi Kevin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am currently a concept artist specializing in Hard Surface Concept Design in the video game industry. I would be delighted to share the journey that has led me to where I am today.
My story began when I immigrated with my parents to the US during my high school years in 2012. Adapting to a new environment, language, and culture was a significant challenge, and initially, I struggled with my limited command of the English language. However, during those early years, I found solace and refuge in art. It became a means of self-expression and communication when words failed me. Art provided me with an outlet where I could immerse myself and express my thoughts and emotions.
Driven by my passion for art and fueled by my desire to excel in this field, I decided to pursue higher education at the prestigious ArtCenter College of Design. This decision marked a pivotal moment in my journey, as it allowed me to immerse myself in an environment that nurtured creativity and provided the necessary resources to develop my skills further.
During my time at ArtCenter, I discovered the fascinating world of concept art. The realization that I could channel my artistic abilities into creating visual concepts for various industries, particularly in the realm of video games, ignited a fire within me. From that point forward, I wholeheartedly dedicated myself to honing my craft and pursuing a career as a concept artist.
Through hard work, persistence, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, I have been fortunate enough to establish myself as a concept artist within the video game industry. Today, I am proud to contribute my creative vision and skills to the development of immersive gaming experiences, currently working as a concept artist for Respawn on the Apex Legends team.
My journey from a young immigrant with a love for art to a specialized concept artist has been both challenging and rewarding. I am excited to see where this path takes me next as I continue to evolve as an artist and contribute to the ever-evolving world of video game concept art.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Overall, my journey has been relatively smooth, but there have been some struggles along the way. Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the creative field. While I didn’t have a clear understanding of the concept designer role until I heard about it in college, I had been undergoing art training since middle school, and having a father who was a graphic designer inspired me even more.
However, becoming a concept designer turned out to be much more challenging than I initially anticipated. I dedicated my college years to honing my skills in this area, investing a significant amount of time and effort. Unfortunately, during this period, I struggled with a lack of confidence, which further prolonged my journey, causing me to spend five years to graduate instead of the typical four or three years if the student really wanted to rush it.
One of the biggest hurdles I faced was the time I was about to leave college without a job in hand. Despite reaching out to many people and exploring various opportunities, finding employment proved to be more difficult than I had expected. It was during this challenging time that I leaned on the support and encouragement of those around me. I am immensely grateful for the people who believed in me and provided the motivation I needed to keep going.
In particular, my girlfriend played a pivotal role in supporting me through this period of uncertainty. Her unwavering belief in my abilities and constant encouragement gave me the strength to persevere. I genuinely believe that I would not have been able to overcome this struggle without her by my side.
While my journey as a concept designer has had its fair share of challenges, the passion I have for this field and the support of my loved one, and all my coworkers from the job, have been instrumental in helping me navigate those obstacles.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a concept artist specializing in Hard Surface Concept Design, and I have been actively working in the video game industry for the past three years. Currently, I am part of the Respawn Apex Legends team as an Environment intern.
My educational background includes graduating from ArtCenter College of Design with a major in Entertainment Design. This has provided me with a strong foundation and a diverse skill set to excel in my field.
What truly sets me apart from others is my passion for functionality and manufacturing. Being a fan of scale models, toys, and kitbash models, I genuinely care about creating designs that are not only visually appealing but also practical and feasible to bring to life. I love going the extra mile by 3D printing some of my own designs, allowing me to understand the intricacies of manufacturing processes and ensure that my concepts are practical and tangible.
Additionally, my keen interest in graphic design sets me apart. I am drawn to retro styles, such as the vibrant packaging designs and graphics from the 80s and 90s, as well as bold and minimalistic designs. I believe that my appreciation for graphic design adds depth to my work as a concept artist and allows me to incorporate unique visual elements into my designs. It is an ongoing journey for me to continue developing and merging graphic design principles into my own artistic style.
I take pride in my ability to combine functionality, manufacturing knowledge, and a distinct taste in graphic design to create visually captivating and practical concept designs. This multidimensional approach sets me apart from others in the industry and fuels my drive for continuous improvement and innovation in my work.
How do you think about luck?
Luck has played a significant role in both my life and my business, and sometimes it has brought both good and bad fortune simultaneously. One notable instance occurred during the early months of 2021, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, when I was still studying at the ArtCenter College of Design.
At that time, one of my closest friends in China expressed his desire to develop a video game. He reached out to me with numerous questions, and as his business started to take shape, he offered me a position as a concept artist. This opportunity allowed me to gain invaluable experience and work alongside highly skilled artists. However, it also meant that I had to juggle my studies during the day and work through the night, often sacrificing sleep. Despite the challenges, I learned a lot in this position, particularly about the collaboration and pipeline between different roles, which was something not extensively covered in my formal education.
While this experience brought its share of positive outcomes, there were also a couple of side effects. Firstly, due to my busy schedule, I had limited time to spend with my classmates and was unable to develop close friendships during those two years. Moreover, the shift to online teaching as a result of the pandemic further hindered the opportunity for meaningful interactions with teachers and classmates. Consequently, building new relationships became challenging, especially as I approached graduation. This lack of connections posed difficulties in expanding my professional network and made it particularly challenging to secure a job with just a portfolio.
Additionally, the nature of the opportunity I had was such that it was based in China, leaving me with limited connections to the art industry in the United States. While I was fortunate to have gained valuable experience, it also meant that I faced difficulties in establishing a network within the US art community.
On the one hand, I was fortunate to have been presented with an opportunity that provided valuable experience in the industry and a big relief for my college tuition spend. On the other hand, the time constraints and the lack of networking opportunities posed challenges that I had to navigate as I moved forward in my career.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lichengyangart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/metalmesh.work/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-yang-7bb63b104/
