Meet Asian American illustrator and motion designer, Joyce Liu.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hello! My name is Joyce. I was born in LA, lived in Taiwan until I was 15, moved to Mexico for a year, then moved back to LA. I graduated from ArtCenter College of Design in April 2018. Now I am a Jr. Designer at Oddfellows in Portland, Oregon.

A few things I like are cats, colors, food, nature, jiu jitsu, and the red edges on cast shadows.

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

I am currently living in Portland, Oregon. Comparing to the larger cities I’ve lived in such as Los Angeles, Taipei, and Mexico, Portland is a much-welcomed breath of fresh air. The pace of everyday life is slower and I’m able to have a lot more time for myself. Being surrounded by tall trees is also a plus.

I am currently living in Portland, Oregon. Comparing to the larger cities I’ve lived in such as Los Angeles, Taipei, and Mexico, Portland is a much-welcomed breath of fresh air.

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

For Portland, to me, it’s the lack of diverse authentic foods. That’s what I miss about LA the most. Sometimes I also miss the vastness and general diversity of LA, but I’m glad to not have to sit through traffic every day anymore.

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

Humbling, challenging, accepted.

How did you start your career in art?

After finishing high school, I attended ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena where I met many mentors and cultivated my skills in art and design. During school, I learned that I enjoy faster-paced projects and that I like to work with a variety of styles. That lead me to pursue motion design, where I’m allowed to experiment, play, and try on many different hats.

During school, I learned that I enjoy faster-paced projects and that I like to work with a variety of styles. That lead me to pursue motion design, where I’m allowed to experiment, play, and try on many different hats.

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

I’ve always loved to draw since I was a kid; it was the most natural medium for me to express myself. But growing up in Taiwan, I was often told that striving to become an artist would lead to me starving on the streets and that I should pursue subjects that are more practical, such as math, language or medicine. But despite all the objections from relatives and financial difficulties, my mom encouraged me to pursue my love for art. She is my rock, and I have her to thank for everything I am today.

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

To continue to explore different styles and ways to convey ideas, and to never stop learning.

To continue to explore different styles and ways to convey ideas, and to never stop learning.

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

Anyone who shares the same passion for art and design.

How would you describe the women around you?

Ambitious, driven, passionate, quirky and fun in their own way.

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

My mom. She studied architecture in college but gave it up after moving back to Taiwan and having kids. Growing up I’ve watched her create countless fascinating pieces of art out of ordinary objects around her, it was like magic. Some of my most treasured childhood memories are when my brothers, my mom and I would sit by the living room table, playing with clay, transforming little milk cartons into decorated plant pots in the shape of birds, or making imaginary creatures with gaping smiles out of the hard shells of fruits. She taught us to create with anything we could get our hands-on, and not afraid to let our imagination soar.

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

I’ve been fortunate to not have encountered any mistreatment as a woman, but I’ve heard scary stories.

Follow your heart and don’t feel pressured to follow a trend. But most importantly, have fun!

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

Follow your heart and don’t feel pressured to follow a trend. But most importantly, have fun!

Photos courtesy of Joyce Liu.