Meet Lydia Tang | Illustrator&Concept designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lydia Tang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lydia, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’m glad that when I was very young, before the development of electronics, my world was full of beautifully illustrated children’s books, novels, and comic magazines, and by reading these illustrated books, I fell in love with reading and was able to easily comprehend the content of the written word and convert it into my own knowledge. At that time, my dream was to publish my own book or to illustrate a story. In this age of electronics, I also want to use electronic drawings to bring the joy of reading to people who enjoy reading illustrated books as much as I do, and to create some empathy.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an illustrator who likes to create storytelling pieces that could resonate with audiences through a quirky, fantasy, and abstract approach. For me, the most exciting aspect of being an illustrator is the ability to convey my thoughts visually. Sometimes, people may not interpret my message correctly from my work, but I enjoy hearing different perspectives on my work. The varied viewpoints on the same piece often provide me with new inspirations. Additionally, I enjoy visualizing intangible elements such as sounds, tastes, smells, and feelings; it makes them feel more ‘real’ to me. It was not easy for me to get to this point because not only did I need to learn about my specialty, I also needed to adapt to a new environment and learn a new language and culture. But I am very happy that I can be where I am today! The most important thing is to give yourself a little time to progress and to manage your mindset. Progress doesn’t happen in a short period of time, it takes time to build up. I used to have moments of impatience, which didn’t make my work better but only made it more and more painful to paint. So I’m learning to stabilize my mindset as well.

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?
If I were to bring my friends to Atlanta, I would definitely take them to Ponce City Market! It’s one of my favorite places there! I love the artsy vibe and the many small stores with stationery and decor, and there are so many handmade artists who set up booths there, it’s the best time for me to give them a little support and buy unique handmade items of my choice! Then we can go to the High Museum to check out the exhibitions. The High Museum has new artists on display all year round. For dining I would recommend a brunch called “Egg Harbor Cafe” for a hot waffle for breakfast! There’s also a Poke Bar, and I love their healthy bento box lunches that you can mix and match.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The person I would like to thank most is the person who has been there for me, supported me, and worked with me along the way. This person is my sister Nina, who is also an illustrator. Thanks to her companionship, I am no longer alone on my path to becoming an illustrator, and I have learned a lot from her, making me the person I am now. Of course, my parents are also the people I want to thank. They have always supported our hobby and career unconditionally, and they have always told us that no matter what happens, we have to keep our beginnings, be optimistic and positive in pursuing our dreams. Because of their support, my sister and I were able to travel across the ocean to study abroad, learn more specialized knowledge and expand our horizons. And my favorite manga artist! I am very grateful to Rumiko Takahashi-sensei for creating such excellent works “Inuyasha”, which gave me a strong interest in drawing from a young age. Illustrator Aki Akin is someone I admire, and her work made me aspire to become an illustrator. Her unique use of color and composition inspired me a lot. These are the people I think I need to thank! Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am now!

Website: https://lydiatang.art/

Instagram: @lllllllyyydia_t

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydia-tang-8b70b11b3/

Twitter: @lydia_t13

Image Credits
Lydia Tang