Yiffy Gu

Your pronouns
She/ Her

How do you define your identity? Do you identify with (or advocate for) any marginalized communities?
Asian, stand for LGBTQ community, ANTI-RACIST.

Where is home?
Outer space, specifically, Jupiter.

Describe your illustration style in one sentence
Colorful, simple, and playing with plenty of shapes.

What lights your soul on fire?
Seeing the book I did displayed on shelves. The artwork I spent hours and hours of my time on and finally the payoff is real, that’s what sets my soul on fire.

What themes do you enjoy exploring in your illustrations?
I like to explore the different types of themes to see my possibility in creativity.

What techniques do you use?
I draw digitally by using Procreate, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

How much of yourself and your own story can we see in your work?
I often see a lot of myself in my work, I can see the passion and love that I put into it. I don’t often add my life into my work, I create my version of reality, the reality I long for. Colorful scenes, and whimsical scenes are some of the things I love to put into my art.

Is there an unmistakable thread in your creative work?
Playful color palette.

What do you want to be known for?
I want to be known as an illustrator who creates artwork with a unique style.

Which projects excite you most?
The one gave me a lot of creative freedom.

What is your dream gig?
To showcase my artwork in the gallery.

Where, when and how do you best create?
I’m a night owl kind of person, the night is quiet and always helps me focus. I always like to have snacks with me and soft music playing while I create my work.

How has your style evolved since you started?
When I started out in the industry, My style was almost vector-style illustration but less of my own language. It takes years for me to develop the style I have now, I like to blend the pieces of vector shape and playful style together. I try to keep enough of me in my work and add trendy elements at the same time. I think it’s very crucial to evolve my style as an illustrator, and I will never stop to explore the possibility of myself.

What do you find most challenging in your practice or in the illustration industry?
As an illustrator, I want to have my own unique style and people will enjoy looking at my work. I always seek to unleash the inner child in me and show that in my artwork. It is very challenging for me to find the balance between childish style and classy design.

How as being an illustrator changed your life?
I’m really proud that I can consider myself an illustrator. One of the good stuff being an illustrator is my life was surrounded by creative people and beautiful things.

Name a tool you can’t live without!
Clipping mask in Photoshop.

Tell us about a project you worked on that was meaningful to you as an artist.
The first commission work I did for AdAge Magazine was one of the most remarkable projects in my career. It was my very first commission and it happened on the first day I joined the agency. I still remember how nervous but excited I was. Since then, I stepped into this industry.
I was motivated that clients liked the result and even had another project for me couple of months later.
I was always grateful for their trust, and this experience encouraged me subconsciously in my future work.

What influences or inspires your art?
A lot of things inspire my art, from a cracked egg on the kitchen table to a masterpiece in the art museum. I believe a good artist should be sensitive about everything that happened surrounded in life.

What would you tell your younger self?
I always thought if I could turn back time, what would I do or change? But I didn’t find the correct answer at all.
I realize I shouldn’t change anything, even the mistakes I made. All the good and bad experiences built me and my artwork.
So I wouldn’t tell anything to my younger self, she should find the way on her own.

Why do you think art speaks louder than words?
Art is definitely stronger than any words strung together in a sentence. Art can be created from all corners of the globe and can make an impact on all eyes who looks at it. People from all over the world can create pieces of art that can impact a political or social climate.