Meet Savannah-based artist, Kiuyan Ran

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and spent most of my lifetime in China, and I am currently getting my MFA degree in illustration at SCAD, USA.

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

Savannah is a small and quiet old town. It relieves a lot of anxiety I used to have when I lived in big cities.

The best thing about this town is the quiet environment, which gives the creator a relatively relaxed and free mind.

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

The best thing about this town is the quiet environment, which gives the creator a relatively relaxed and free mind. The big park in the center of the town has a great view and is great for walking. But as artists, the worst thing is that I would still sometimes be upset for lacking of cultural activities, such as exhibitions, concerts, and theaters.

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

Peaceful, Communicative, Unappreciated

How did you start your career in art?

I learned to draw since I was a child. Because of my love for games and anime, I applied to a game art major at a university, which determined my future direction of studying and working on art. Publishing works on social platforms has given me the freest employment opportunities as a student. When I was in college, I went to Netease for an art internship. I also got the internship opportunity of Activision in graduate stage. Accumulated experience before graduation is also helpful for a full-time creative career.

Accumulated experience before graduation is also helpful for a full-time creative career.

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

My mother was very supportive of my study and supervised me to insist on learning painting back in childhood. My parents want me to choose a better career I like, and they’re glad to see anything I have achieved in the path.

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

I would like to make advertising illustration for games, movies, or other exciting products for more clients as a freelance artist, or enter a great game company and become part of an excellent project.

I would like to make advertising illustration for games, movies, or other exciting products for more clients as a freelance artist, or enter a great game company and become part of an excellent project.

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

Hideo Kojima. He’s my favorite game director. Playing his Death Stranding is my most tearful experience in recent years.

How would you describe the women around you?

I was born in a single-parent family, my mother is always strong, tolerant, and kind. I embarked on the road of art with her support. My grandmother raised me for a long time when I was a child. She was very hardworking, patient, and extremely selfless to me. My best friends are also all female. They are smart, funny, talented, modest, full of love, and kind. I became a better person along with their company.

I became a better person along with their company.

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

Maybe there is no specific person, sadly. Some excellent female classmates at each stage of my study or talented female artists I saw on social media gave me most of the motivation to learn, both academically and artistically.

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

There are a lot of excellent females in my industry. Anyone who has the ability get the chance to sit in a high position, which is very gratifying in an environment in which women suffer injustice on average.

Don’t stop thinking while working hard on everything you chose to do!

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

Don’t stop thinking while working hard on everything you chose to do!

What type of music do you like to listen to?

Funk, K-pop

Photos courtesy of Kiuyan Ran.