Today we’d like to introduce you to Yubin Lee.
Hi Yubin, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I am Yubin, an Illustrator and Designer based in NYC. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, I have lived in multiple places including England, Virginia, China, and currently call New York City my home. Art has always been my passion. I remember coming home from school and spending hours drawing and creating something from scratch. I would beg my mom to let me take art classes, and once there, I would stay for hours, even past the allowed time. Creating was something I truly loved. Naturally, I chose to pursue art as my career path, leading me to attend the School of Visual Arts to study illustration. While in school, I discovered my true passion within illustration: storytelling and creating series. Books and films inspired me to create art with strong narratives and my work always reflects this influence. I have created multiple series that I adore, and I am currently working on more series that I hope to share soon.
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 wasn’t always smooth, obviously. I faced a lot of challenges, struggles, and rejections along the way, which is all-natural. For instance, my thesis I did in college was rejected from entering the senior thesis show, the work I had been working on for so long with such passion and love. When I found out about the rejection, I was extremely disappointed and sad, and I doubted myself and my work so much. I have also been rejected by countless jobs and competitions, which really messed with my head a lot and had a very negative impact on me, ruining my confidence. But even with all those struggles and challenges, I still tried to maintain a positive attitude and had hopes that if I kept trying hard and doing what I do with good work ethics, eventually things would work out and go the way I wanted. Later on, the same thesis piece that got rejected from entering the thesis show won a merit award from Hiii Illustration, and I found a job that I am very happy about. So, in the end, things went well. I know for a fact that new struggles will come to me in the future, but just as I was able to endure and overcome the hurdles in the past, I believe I will be able to do so once again.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Storytelling and creating series are my forte; it’s something that I am most passionate about and like to always include in my work. Coming up with a narrative is always a very exciting process, and I enjoy it just as much as actually drawing and making the illustration series. I see it as world-building. You think of the plot, characters, setting, style, themes, and so many elements you have to tackle in order to create a story, and then bringing it to life is just a wonderful thing I like to do.
In addition to this, I think I am known for my intricate, sometimes eerie drawings full of details, textures, and delicate line work. It is a style I love to pursue and within this style, I am constantly exploring different ways to create art while still trying to maintain this style. The use of vibrant colors is also a huge part of my work, in contrast to the dark lines that I use for drawing. Having a vibrant color palette brings so much more life and depth to my work and brings so much expressiveness. I think this kind of stylized approach is what sets me apart from others.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would be to stay true to yourself, whether it is the work you do, the style you pursue, or the reasoning behind your actions. If you remain true to yourself and believe in yourself, you will experience immense growth and be surprised by how much you have accomplished. This also includes not comparing yourself to others in terms of their success and accomplishments. While it’s good to feel motivated and inspired by others’ achievements, comparing yourself to them can be detrimental. Instead, focus on yourself and stay true to who you are.
I wish I had known this earlier as well. I once doubted the art I made and compared myself to my peers, sometimes feeling the urge to pursue their styles and content. However, I realized that is not truly who I am. I focused on my art and maintained my style. If you stay true to yourself, the outcome will speak for itself, and you will reach your desired destination.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.eelnibuyart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eelnibuyart/
