Meet Junyuan/Betty Xiong of Irvine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Junyuan/Betty Xiong.

Hi Junyuan/Betty, 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?
I hold an MFA in Scenic Design from the University of California, Irvine, and a BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. My journey as an artist began with a love for storytelling and visual expression. There is a moment when I started to wonder what would happen if those 2D worlds could expand into physical space. “Can I turn my 2D image into 3D?” is the chance that led me to scenic design.

When I discovered the world of theater, I was drawn to how it merges art, architecture, and storytelling. Scenic design gave me the opportunity to imagine spaces that not only look beautiful but also support the emotional and narrative journey of the characters. I found that this field offers endless creative freedom and it’s a place where bold ideas, abstract concepts, and even a little bit of “crazy” creativity can find a home on stage.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not really. The journey hasn’t been entirely smooth. Even though both illustration and scenic design are about storytelling, I had to shift my mindset. In my illustration, the story lives in a small, personal world, a single image seen from my own perspective. But in scenic design, I’m creating the world around the story. It’s a completely different way of thinking.

Another big change was learning to work collaboratively. Illustration is usually a solo process, while theater is all about teamwork which constant conversations, meetings, and shared problem-solving. I had to learn how to communicate my ideas clearly and stay open to others’ perspectives.

Technical skills were also a challenge. I didn’t want my lack of experience to limit my creativity, so I pushed myself to learn drafting, modeling, and digital tools all at once. It was a steep learning curve, but each challenge helped me grow as a designer.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a scenic designer who creates visual worlds for theater. I combine an illustrator’s eye for image-making with a designer’s understanding of space and collaboration. Whether it’s through reflective materials, layered projections, or unexpected textures, I enjoy exploring how design can shape the audience’s emotional experience and perception of a story. I see scenic design as a shared language between art and performance, and I’m always excited to keep discovering new ways to tell stories through space.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think luck has played a role in both good and challenging ways. I’ve been lucky to meet many supportive mentors and collaborators who believed in me and gave me opportunities to grow as a designer.

Meanwhile, I don’t rely on luck alone. There were moments when things didn’t go smoothly such as tight deadlines, creative disagreements, or technical challenges. But these experiences have been invaluable, I believe luck is an opportunity that can bring unexpected rewards, and you need to be prepared to embrace them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://betty-xiong.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betty_bear_xiong?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/junyuan-xiong