Interview with Zhang Baiyu | A Cheerful & Optimistic Illustrator with 10 Years of Illustration Design Experience

I am Zhang Baiyu, from China. I am a cheerful and optimistic illustrator, with 10 years of experience in illustration design. I have worked in game companies, advertising agencies, and educational institutions throughout my career, which has added me with rich experience and knowledge. In 2021, I established my independent studio, specializing in creative illustration design, product packaging design, and illustration education and training, which are also the main business advantages of my studio.

I love drawing, and it has undoubtedly changed me a lot. Whether in life or spiritually, it has brought me endless joy and satisfaction, filling my body and mind with strength. I will always challenge myself, breakthrough myself, and surpass myself. I also hope to create diverse and rich illustrations and products.

In the field of painting, Van Gogh showcases his passion and enthusiasm for life with bright colors and unique brushstrokes, not only expanding our aesthetic perspective but also inspiring me to think differently about life. Now that I have become an illustrator, it is a challenge and breakthrough for me. For me, the process of creating illustrations is joyful. When I successfully create a work, the sense of achievement and satisfaction is indescribable.

I am currently an independent illustrator, mainly responsible for creative illustration design (including but not limited to main visual KV, posters, advertising, packaging illustration design, and illustration training). The studio is committed to innovative aesthetic visual experiences, combining culture and art to create unique and unforgettable illustration customization for customers.

I believe that each customization has its own unique story and values, so my design will be personalized according to the needs and goals of different customers, ensuring uniqueness and bringing unique and high-quality customization to customers.

Creativity is not just a skill for me, but also an attitude and a way of life. It involves exploring the world, deepening self-awareness, and tapping into one's own potential. It also means self-expression and the realization of self-worth. It makes me understand myself better, love life more, and cherish every creative opportunity more. I believe that only by maintaining creativity can we continuously progress, grow, and create value.

Creativity means breaking free from the constraints of traditional thinking frameworks, interpreting the world with new perspectives and techniques, and presenting a refreshing visual experience.

I usually categorize different keywords from the customer's needs, collect relevant materials based on the keywords, and conduct research based on the materials to form my initial ideas and composition. Then, I draw sketches and overall plans to determine the elements, colors, styles, etc. in the painting. During the conceptualization process, I often make multiple attempts and modifications to ensure that the work achieves the best results.

For me, my favorite creative process is from conception to sketch presentation. In this process, I am like an explorer, carrying infinite passion and curiosity, exploring in the boundless space of imagination, searching for unique ideas and images. Whenever inspiration bursts, the joy in my heart is indescribable, as if I have found a hidden treasure, which excites me immensely.

My creative style is free, but I love Chinese culture more. The infusion of culture adds depth and story to my works, making each illustration design not only visually appealing but also narrative-rich.

I am Chinese and deeply influenced by China's 5000-year-long history and rich cultural heritage. Chinese traditional art forms, such as traditional Chinese painting, Paper Cuttings, shadow play, architecture, etc., not only provide a continuous source of materials and inspiration for my creation but also make my works full of the charm of Chinese traditional culture.

In my future creations, I will continue to delve deeper into China's cultural heritage and incorporate more Chinese elements into my illustration works, to inherit and promote China's culture. With China's opening up and development, while preserving its unique features, our design path is becoming increasingly internationalized and modernized.

I am honored to receive the highest Muse Creative Award in 2024: Platinum Award. This is my first time participating in an international design competition, which is a significant honor for me and a recognition of my past efforts and perseverance. It is also an infinite expectation for the future. It will inspire me to maintain high standards of excellence in all future endeavors.

As a Chinese illustrator, I hope that hand drawn illustrations can showcase my country's traditional culture in the most influential way. The award-winning Huang Shang Huang packaging series undoubtedly better reflects Chinese traditional culture.

The challenge lies in how to conceive creative positive and negative spaces in the shortest possible time required by customers, echoing the regional characteristics of the brand.

Winning the Muse Creative Award is an important development in my career, and it is even more affirming to me. This recognition not only strengthens my confidence but also encourages me to pursue higher challenges.

Create innovation, learning progress, and break through oneself.

China's uniqueness in the creative industry stems from the accumulation of 5000 years of culture, diverse cultural integration, policy support, and market drive, as well as the rise of innovative spirit. These factors are intertwined and jointly promote the vigorous development of China's creative industry. In the future, China's creative industry will continue to maintain its unique charm and make greater contributions to the diversity of world cultures. Through the sedimentation of time, the traditional Chinese culture that has been passed down is an extremely precious cultural heritage. It is a source of pride and a capital for moving towards the world and the future.

In the next 5-10 years, the creative industry will move towards a higher stage of development. In the new trend, the creative industry needs to keep up with technological innovation and development. New technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, digital technology, and new platform models bring richer performance and higher production efficiency to the creative industry.

Learning and improvement: Industry knowledge updates rapidly, and as a newcomer, you need to maintain a continuous learning attitude. By reading professional books, attending industry seminars, or communicating with industry insiders, constantly improving one's professional competence.

Establishing a personal brand: Establishing a personal brand in the industry can help you be recognized and gain recognition by more people. Share your professional insights and works through social media, professional forums, and other platforms, allowing more people to understand your talent and value.

I think the development of the Internet provides a convenient way for learning. In the network, we can find what we want. For example, I will communicate with peers on industry forums, and communities, and stay informed about industry trends. I will also study courses on various websites.

For illustrators, it is important to maintain an optimistic mentality on this path, as challenges do not know when they will come. Illustrators are not only reflected in their unique insights and values, but also in their love and persistence in the art of illustration. It is precisely this love and persistence that have enabled them to achieve remarkable results in the field of illustration.

Art is beautiful, it brings us not only aesthetic enjoyment but also spiritual nourishment and intellectual enlightenment. In this era full of pressure and challenges, let us embrace art, let art become a clear stream in our lives, and accompany us through beautiful times.