Meet Yeong yuh Lin | Illustrator & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Yeong yuh Lin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yeong yuh, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
Growing up in Thailand as a Taiwanese girl, my childhood was like the colorful picture books my mom collected for our living room. Due to my multilingual environment, speaking Mandarin at home, and switching between English and Thai at school, I realized at a young age that sometimes drawing silly doodles transcends languages and brings my point across pretty well ( for the most part ). After that, Barbie movies that were dubbed in Thai, Taiwanese cable TV anime, and the many English picture books I repeatedly read further developed my love for language and drawing.

I am very lucky to have supportive parents who encouraged my pursuit of art despite my initial plan to study for a Business degree. Thankfully, my father’s background in business provided me with valuable insights into management and entrepreneurship, equipping me with the theoretical and practical knowledge I can apply to my artwork. One of my main goals is to challenge the stereotype of the “starving artist.” Having attended a STEM school and been surrounded by STEM classmates for a huge chunk of my life, I feel a strong motivation to prove that artists can thrive both creatively and financially.

My early days molded me into an extrovert, part of it is because I felt like I needed to do so to fit in. For instance, I participated in a lot of extracurriculars and joined various clubs because it helped me bond with others over common interests. But at the end of the day, I still return to drawing since it’s where I find the most joy in. Other than drawing, I like crafting intricate mood boards on Pinterest in the comfort of my bed as I sip on freshly brewed English Rose tea.

The area I grew up in Thailand truly impacted who I am today. I was very fortunate to be given a taste of living in a peaceful neighborhood and also experience the vibrant city life of Bangkok. I think the contrast helped me define the type of lifestyle I want to lead. For me, my childhood was defined by summer blue skies, packaged sunflower seeds, and convenience store popsicles, which perhaps explains why I like the color blue and evokes feelings of nostalgia in my work.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
If I were to describe my art, it would taste like a creme brûlée latte or a sprinkle cupcake — fun, sweet, and colorful. Within all my artwork, I strive to evoke feelings of warmth and nostalgia, focusing on creating characters that people find comfort in. I pay meticulous attention to my color palette and lighting to accentuate specific emotions and establish focal points. I still remember when I participated in a convention for the first time and witnessed the excitement my work generated, I knew this was something I wanted to continue doing for as long as possible. Seeing others’ enthusiasm for my art affirmed my passion and commitment to this path.

My current goal is to become an illustrator and designer for motion graphics and advertisement. However, my passion for concept art, fueled by years of anime, cartoons, and gaming, remains a significant influence. This influence is evident in many of my artworks. I believe my ability to switch between styles based on the project’s needs is a key strength. Despite this versatility, my artistic voice remains consistent, unified by my favorite subject matter: all things cute and lighthearted.

One of the biggest challenges I have to overcome is the waves of imposter syndrome that wash over me once in a while. It’s a common, tough, and very real struggle that creatives experience along their art journey, and like everyone else, I am no stranger to it too. What I try to tell myself in moments of self doubt is that everything happens for a reason and that I am where I am because of all the effort I have put into my craft. Instead of being self-conscious, I need to take a step back and say “Wow, I really did that.”

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I’m currently based in the charming city of Savannah, that is where I will take my best friend!

Ideally, my best friend flies in on the weekend because I plan to take them to Forsyth Park, where we spend Sunday morning exploring the Farmers Market and bask in the refreshing ambiance surrounded by Oak trees dressed in Spanish moss. After that, I would challenge them to a friendly game of chess at Agatha’s Coffee and Tea House while savoring the tea latte and Paninis they offer. I highly recommend the “Doctor Jazz” tea and “Wrong Folder” panini. Later I would take them over to Broughton Street, where we’ll scroll past all kinds of stores until we reach River Street. Along the way, I would drag my friend into the different vintage stores in Savannah, which are truly the hidden gems of this city. Finally, we’ll conclude our day with dinner at either Coco and Moss or Flock to the Wok. Both are great options after a long day out.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to shout out to my incredible roommates whom I had the privilege of meeting in college: Alexia Baptiste, Sophie Chevis, and Leon Page. These guys witnessed my journey from a bewildered freshman to the person I am today. These guys are my pillars through thick and thin. Some of my favorite memories are shared with them and I can’t imagine what college would’ve looked like without them. As an international student who came to the States for the first time to attend college, the journey of navigating life here became a lot less scary thanks to the supportive network we built for each other. This network extends to all the awesome people I met at school too!

In addition, I want to shout out the SCAD Illustration and Motion Media department! I have learned so much from all the professors who I had the pleasure of taking classes with and without them I wouldn’t have built my skills up to this point.

Website: https://linyeongyuh.wixsite.com/my-site

Instagram: yeolinno

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yeongyuhlin

Other: email: yeolincontact@gmail.com