Meet Paris-based art director, illustrator, and motion designer, Huyu.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello! My name is Huyu, an art director/ illustrator/ motion designer and animator. My universe is full of imaginations and creatures. Born and raised in Taiwan before studying in Europe, my drawing style shows both Western and Asian aesthetics. I also like to utilise different materials and try different print techniques in my works.

 

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

I feel like I have two hometowns: Taichung is where I grew up, and Paris is where I discovered myself. Staying in Taichung and being with my family makes me feel safe and warm while living in Paris has been filled with adventures and challenges.

 

I feel like I have two hometowns: Taichung is where I grew up, and Paris is where I discovered myself.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

I feel peaceful and chill being in Taichung with my families and friends, as I just mentioned, so I can take time to relax and think about what to do next, but sometimes I lose my motivations. Paris is a beautiful city full of things to explore. Most of the time I stay in Paris as a freelancer, so I have things to do or to finish every day. Before I got used to my life in Paris, I spent a lot of time on things that are not very convenient, such as learning the language, visa, etc.

 

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Taichung: Chill / Lovely / Relax

Paris: Changes a lot / Adventure / Excite

 

How did you start your career in art?

My parents work in the field of architecture. When I was a child, they gave me a pencil and paper to let me stop crying. Then I grew up, and I wanted to become an archaeologist and biologist instead of artist or graphiste.

 

My parents work in the field of architecture. When I was a child, they gave me a pencil and paper to let me stop crying. Then I grew up, and I wanted to become an archaeologist and biologist instead of artist or graphiste.

 

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

When I was young, I was not good at studying but I love doodling. My parents didn’t get mad on my bad score; they let me learn whatever I wanted to try: violin, guitar, piano, ballet, chess, dance, etc. During my study at school, teachers always asked me to do the poster or do the art craft. I felt lucky that I really get lots of supports from people I love.

 

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

My goal is to let more people know my work and say “We need you.” I want to be irreplaceable and unique in this creative field.

 

My goal is to let more people know my work and say “We need you.” I want to be irreplaceable and unique in this creative field.

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

It’s hard to say only one! There are too many possibilities and opportunities and we will never know what will happen in the future! But for now, I really want to try to collaborate with pattern design and cloth design, because I want to try some other materials for my works, and not just creating on the papers!

 

How would you describe the women around you?

I don’t have any sisters and I have a young brother. The closest woman to me is my mother, who has five sisters! My mother is someone who is very positive and tolerant. All of her five sisters have different characteristics: calm, realistic, outgoing, patient, etc. I have learned a lot from them. And what’s amazing is that even if they are so different, they are still so close to each other. 

 

The closest woman to me is my mother, who has five sisters!

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

When I was young, when my classmates asked me who my favorite actor/actress or singer was, I always said that I don’t know. I didn’t really want to become someone, but I do want to take their experiences or successes to encourage myself to find my own way to shine. So for this question, my answer is no one, because everyone is unique for me!

 

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

For now, I didn’t get the aspects of being a female in my industry; language and nationality are the most difficult aspects for me. Working as a foreigner, usually, it is easier to get more opportunities only if you can go inside their culture or speak their language.

 

Be yourself, believe in yourself, and love yourself

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

When I look on social media or visit galleries or exhibitions, sometimes I feel small in front of all the amazing pieces. I get lost and I forget why I love to draw. It makes me feel sad and this unconfident feeling makes my creativity closed. I know it happens to everyone, we all want to succeed and enjoy what we love. It’s not a competition, it’s more about passion. So I want to say: Be yourself, believe in yourself, and love yourself 🙂

 

 

Photos courtesy of Huyu.