Meet Yefan Liu | Industrial Designer & Digital Artist

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

Hi Yefan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The reason I chose this profession is a culmination of various factors. Firstly, my childhood drawing classes ignited my interest in art, planting the seeds of artistic passion within me. School education then provided me with fundamental skills and a knowledge framework, laying the groundwork for further exploration in the realms of art and design. Through my experiences in the professional arena, I gradually gained confidence in my abilities and relished the transformations and challenges that came with continuous growth.

As I delved deeper into the realms of creativity and design, I became more aware of my capabilities and interests. For instance, as an industrial designer, I initially focused on the aesthetics and functionalities of products. However, as I completed numerous design projects, I began contemplating broader issues such as efficient production methods, waste reduction, and enhanced sales strategies. This shift in perspective made me realize the significance and joy of being a designer, serving various facets like humanity, the environment, animals, and markets. It’s akin to dancing with shackles on, needing to devise the most effective and captivating solutions within constraints, which greatly appeals to me.

Each new design project becomes a personal competition, where I swiftly unleash my creativity and skills within limited time frames. For example, I once encountered a design request where the client wanted to launch a Jesus Christmas tree topper, blending commercial and religious aspects. This required a comprehensive understanding of religious narratives and adaptability to client feedback during the design process. In this project, I not only mastered 3D sculpting software as an animation modeler but also honed my ability to grasp client intentions and make multifaceted decisions during production, enriching my experience and sense of achievement.

Overall, I chose this path for its inclusivity and challenges, enabling me to continuously learn, push boundaries, and derive fulfillment and accomplishment from each design endeavor.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I believe what sets me apart in my career is my proactive and curious attitude. I am dedicated to excellence and providing satisfactory design services to clients, constantly refining my skills to find the right career path for myself. What I’m most proud of is my ability to handle challenges and pressure, and grow from them. Achieving success in my profession hasn’t been easy, but I firmly believe in perseverance and continuous learning.

I’ve faced various challenges like time pressure, project complexity, and managing multiple projects. In 2023, I was responsible for and participated in up to twenty design projects. Through effective time management, teamwork, and continuous learning, I achieved my goals and overcame challenges. These experiences taught me to adapt and stay positive in the face of difficulties, while also maintaining a daily fitness routine.

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.
If my friend comes to Birmingham, Alabama, for a week-long trip, I’d like to immerse them more in the local life. For example, in the morning, we would first visit Hero Doughnuts, where I often go, and get a banana doughnut—I highly recommend it! After that, we would tour a steel mill, have Mexican food nearby for lunch, explore Red Mountain in the afternoon to experience nature, and dine at a Japanese izakaya near downtown for fried calamari in the evening. My theme would be breakfast-lunch-hiking-various delicious restaurants. Of course, we would also visit Pepper Market on Saturday morning.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I believe that an individual’s achievements result from opportunities and the support and guidance of others. I want to express my respect and gratitude to Professor Songwe, Chair Sooshin, and Dean Victor at SCAD, who have played a crucial role in shaping my skills and mindset. Their passion for design, positive outlook on life, and continuous enthusiasm for learning have profoundly impacted me. Moreover, they have provided me with opportunities and support that have allowed me to train my design skills and approach the future with confidence. Overall, it is the positive influence of these outstanding professors encountered along my journey of learning and growth that has propelled me forward and contributed to my achievements.

Website: https://yefandesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivanaliu18/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yefan-liu-ivana/

Image Credits
those are my industrial works or Illustration.