Meet Yao Liu | Environment artist & Concept artist

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

Hi Yao, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The reason I’ve been able to get to where I am in my artistic journey is because of my personality. I just don’t quit easily at this stage. I know exactly what I want in life, and I’m always pushing and enjoying to become a better artist. Once I set a goal, I don’t waste time on pointless stuff. I’m constantly curious about art and keep learning and getting better.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I work as a Concept and Environment artist. My strong self-learning and problem-solving skills have played a crucial role in my current achievements. I’ve been passionate about drawing since I was a child, and it has been my main source of joy and a lifelong hobby. As I grew older, I developed a keen eye for color and a talent for creative artistry, which fueled my enthusiasm for pursuing a career in the field.

I majored in Film Production Design during my undergraduate and graduate studies in BeiJing Film Academy in China, which shifted my career from traditional painting to film art design. After completing my education, I worked as an Environment Concept Artist for several years, focusing on improving my technical skills and artistic sensibilities. I had the privilege of collaborating with many talented artists who significantly influenced my career. The creative process is something I deeply enjoy as an artist, and I specialize in crafting environments that are rich in storytelling and intricate details, a facet of my work that I take great pride in.

My curiosity in art drives me to expand my skills and knowledge continually. Learning 3D technology posed a considerable challenge, requiring me to grasp multiple 3D software tools for my creative work swiftly. The key to overcoming these obstacles lies in my unwavering self-belief in my ability to succeed. I persistently practice, learn from my mistakes, seek solutions online, or consult with my professors when encountering difficulties, instead of giving in to discouragement. I often visualize myself as the main character in a game or movie, shaping my virtual world. I am always searching for inspiration from the real world and my daily life. The journey of personal growth and progress is something I wholeheartedly enjoy.

I hope that my artworks can be seen by the people in the game and film industry, and my stories can inspire emerging artists. Even during challenging times, I encourage others never to give up and to continue exploring their potential in the field of art.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
IIf my friends were to visit me, I’d definitely take them to the Tybee beach. There, we can feel the sea breeze, enjoy the beautiful waves, stunning sunset. I’m quite fond of the Savannah’s ambiance, especially the historical architectural style. I’d walk with them along the riverbank, where we might even catch a glimpse of dolphins. I’d also consider a visit to a church, allowing us to experience the serene and sacred atmosphere.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
For what I have achieved so far, I could not have done it without the support of my family and friends. I am very grateful to my mother for supporting my artistic career. My mother is a very strong, hard-working, and intelligent woman who is very accomplished in her career and family. And I would often talk to her about my career goals, and she was always there to support me and stood by my artistic career. I’ve also been very lucky to have met many amazing and talented people in my life. Especially when I was at SCAD, my friends Stanley Zhan , Zheen Gong, and Steven Zhu were very supportive of my academic program and helped me a lot through some tough times. One movie, “HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON,” inspires me. I see life’s difficulties as dragons, and overcoming them trains me to better express my artistic ideas.
I want to give a big thank all my good friends and all the professors of ITGM for their professional and technical support.

Website: https://www.artstation.com/lyaoyao

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaoliu_art/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/yao-liu-environmentartist

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIf5Y1OWlw6HyQkRmO30zSA

Image Credits
My personal artworks from : https://www.artstation.com/lyaoyao