Yazhi Zheng

Year of birth: 1999.
Where do you live: New York / Los Angeles.
Your education: I studied illustration and animation at the School of Visual Arts.
Describe your art in three words: Colorful, Flowing, Imaginative.
Your discipline: Illustrator and Motion Graphics Designer.
Website | Instagram

You’ve mentioned that growing up by the sea had a significant impact on your work. Could you elaborate on how this connection with nature influences your creative process?

Growing up by the sea has had a profound impact on my creative process, and I often draw inspiration from the flow of water, the sky, and the stars. The calmness and movement of the sea mirror the emotions I want to express in my work — tranquility, flow, and depth. I strive to bring the beauty of nature into my paintings, especially the rich imagery, amazing textures, and vibrant colors found in the natural world. The fluidity of nature often influences how I use color and texture visually, particularly in my use of bright rainbow tones, which I believe capture the beauty and energy of the natural world very well. 

Your art blends a variety of media, from traditional oils to 2D animation. How do you approach transitioning between these different techniques, and what does each medium bring to your vision?

Each medium has its own unique advantages. I started with traditional media and gradually transitioned to digital. Traditional oil painting or watercolor gives my work a warm texture and allows me to directly engage with the creative process. The handmade feel of drawing lines and applying colors with a brush on paper is something I deeply appreciate. On the other hand, digital media offers more flexibility, allowing me to experiment and create more fluid, dynamic effects, and is more conducive to the dissemination of my work. When switching between techniques, I focus on the emotional tone I want to convey — traditional media often imparts warmth and texture, while digital tools help me present vivid, fantastical ideas more clearly and dynamically. 

Yazhi Zheng | Flower Shop | 2023

Your color palette is striking, often featuring rainbow-like hues. How do you decide on the colors for each project? Do they have a specific emotional or symbolic significance?

Color is one of the most important elements in my work. I choose colors based on the emotions I want to evoke in each project, and the colors amplify the feelings I want to convey — whether it’s the tranquil blues and greens of nature or the vibrant hues of a sci-fi world. Unlike the solemnity of sketches or the serious black-and-white compositions, I prefer to use color as a reflection of attitude and emotion. I hope the use of color can serve as a bridge, becoming a symbol of emotions and providing the audience with the most intuitive emotional experience. My rainbow hues are meant to convey a sense of wonder and endless possibilities, while also reflecting my love for the world around me. 

As a motion graphics designer, how do you balance the visual storytelling aspect of your animations with the need for aesthetic beauty in your static illustrations?

For me, visual storytelling and aesthetic beauty are intertwined. In motion graphics, the story unfolds through movement, but I ensure that design elements like color, composition, and flow still create a visually pleasing experience. While focusing on the beauty of the design, I also consider the visual impact of movement and incorporate these features into the animation. In static illustrations, the beauty of the design often carries the emotional weight of the story. Whether dynamic or static, I strive to find a balance between beauty and meaning, allowing the audience to feel the ups and downs of emotion through the visuals. 

Yazhi Zheng | Insomnia | 2023

Your works explore both realistic and sci-fi themes. How do you reconcile these two genres, and what do they reveal about your perspective on the world?

I think real and imagination complement each other. Realism allows my work to address emotions and experiences that we all share, while science fiction allows me to express imagination and possibilities beyond reality. Together, they help me explore the tension between “reality” and “possibility,” reflecting my desire to convey both tranquility and depth of emotion in the flow of time and space. 

In your artist statement, you talk about using your work to “help people breathe” in high-pressure modern society. What role do you see art playing in mental well-being, and how do you hope your art contributes to that?

Art has the power to transport people to another world, to offer a space for escape, or to reconnect with something beautiful and peaceful. I believe art can provide people with a moment of reflection and calm. I hope my work encourages people to slow down, take a deep breath, and embrace the beauty of the world and nature around them, offering temporary relief from the stresses of daily life. 

Yazhi Zheng | Flowing In The Ocean | 2023

You often incorporate nature in your work. How do you ensure your depiction of nature is not just a visual element but also a meaningful part of the narrative or theme of the piece?

In my work, nature is not just a visual element. It is an integral part of the story. I don’t simply depict nature as an object but make it a meaningful part of the narrative. Whether it’s the flow of water, the vastness of the sky, or the stars and universe, nature often reflects the emotions or themes I explore in my work. I hope that nature is closely connected to the emotions and themes in the work, allowing the audience to feel the deeper meaning it carries.