Today we’d like to introduce you to Liuyazi “Arya” Hou
Hi Liuyazi, 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’m a Senior Concept Artist with decades of experience, passionate about creature design and storytelling. I’ve worked with companies like Meta-Ready at Dawn Studio, Tencent, and others on AAA VR, AAA console, and mobile games. I’m also a clay sculptor and dancer, which deeply influences my personal art style.
Becoming a game developer felt natural; I grew up playing games and learning coding and animation. However, I discovered my true passion for art at a young age and decided to pursue concept art. I took concept art training outside of school while still a sophomore, which led to a full-time job at a concept outsourcing company.This experience helped me smoothly transition to working at Tencent after graduation.
My dream was always to work on AAA games, so I moved to the US for greater opportunities. While I love developing worlds with my teams, I eventually felt the need to express more through my art. As my life stabilized, I began developing my personal IP, exploring how my experiences manifest in the creations.
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?
At first, I thought my path was smooth—I loved creature and character design and secured relevant jobs early on. However, after graduation, things became more complicated. My first major challenge came when I accidentally rejected a project that could have fulfilled all my ambitions. Instead, I ended up on a project with little artistic growth. I shifted my perspective and began learning management skills, which broadened my scope and helped in my future journey in the U.S.
Though I excelled in organic design, I was advised to learn hard surface Sci-Fi design for better job opportunities in the U.S. This was challenging and outside my comfort zone. To match my talented colleagues, I spent my spare time improving my skills while taking English classes to overcome the language barrier. This effort allowed me to grow significantly, and now I can confidently express myself verbally and visually across projects.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for my clay sketches, which I started as a daily practice for over 60 days last year, and continue occasionally. I deeply love monsters, creatures, believing everyone has a little monster within their heart. I’m obsessed with observing human emotion and capturing delicate moments in my journey—these are the ingredients of my art. Without using visual references, my clay sketches remain unique and original. Music with similar energy acts as a catalyst, guiding the journey as my fingers dance with the clay.
One of my favorite creations is “Breeze,” a mixed-media piece inspired by a soul-searching camping trip. On that mountain, I was touched by the warm, gentle wind. I captured that emotional moment—a creature playing a violin, with fish following the rhythm, creating a harmonious, flowing symphony.
What were you like growing up?
As a child, I was full of curiosity and loved exploring a wide range of subjects—painting, dancing, playing instruments, filming, writing, biology, and even creating mini-games with friends. Back then, there was no pressure to think about how these interests could lead to a career; it was all about the joy of discovery. I remember drawing board games with classmates, sometimes forgetting we were even in class.
As I grew older, I became more practical. China’s competitive environment pushed me to focus on academic achievement and sharpen my skills to secure a place in my ideal industry. Moving to the U.S. required even more focus on the practical side, due to the visa anxiety as an immigrant. I’m not as free as I was as a child, but I gained the skills I needed and achieved many milestones on time.
Now that I have more inner security, I’m working to integrate all the pieces I’ve collected on my journey and am excited to see how this will shape my art in the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://level2048.artstation.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/level2048/
