Meet Chinese illustrator, Kuri Huang.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Hi, I’m Kuri Huang, I come from in Chengdu, China, and now a freelance illustrator based in NYC. I have an Illustrator-S membership at the Society of Illustrators and a member of Japan Illustrators’ Association. My work has been recognized by CANNES LIONS 2019, Creative LIAisons 2019, 3×3 International Illustration Annual, American Illustration, China Animation, and Comic Competition Gloden Dragon Award.

 

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

I’m living in NYC now, it’s a vibrant city, suitable for young people and creators! And I’ll back to Chengdu for a few months every year, totally different from New York, it’s a laid-back city.

 

I’m living in NYC now, it’s a vibrant city, suitable for young people and creators!

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

Best thing for NYC: you can meet people from all over the world, and there are various museums and exhibitions here. It’s like a creator’s paradise. You can get a lot of inspiration from this city.

Worst thing for NYC：The street is too dirty, really, you can see mice holding parties on the street.

 

Best thing for Chengdu: This is a wonderful place to live and the food is very delicious!

Worst thing for Chengdu: It’s too comfortable that I don’t even want to work when I come back to this city.

 

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

Just for NYC: free, challenging, and rewarding

 

How did you start your career in art?

I learned illustration when I was a student in school, so it’s like a natural thing to start my career in art. To be honest, I’m kind of a lucky guy. Before graduating, I started working with one of the most famous Chinese game, Onmyoji, and a famous Chinese publishing company, Guomai. These experiences have been very helpful to me and brought me a certain amount of popularity. After that, I started to have the opportunity to work with more famous projects like Dream Cruise and Oreo posters.

 

I learned illustration when I was a student in school, so it’s like a natural thing to start my career in art.

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

I have decided to be a creator since high school, and another lucky thing is my family is very supportive of this.

 

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

I’m trying to improve myself further, balance the speed and quality so I can bring more wonderful works to my clients.

I also hope to have more free time to try some new skills and maybe I can have my own studio in the future!

 

I’m trying to improve myself further, balance the speed and quality so I can bring more wonderful works to my clients.

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

It’s will be a huge number!! Like Natsuhiko Kyogoku, Yoshitaka Amano, Fuyumi Ono, etc.

 

How would you describe the women around you?

They are independent and also energetic and optimistic. I am grateful to be around them.

 

They are independent and also energetic and optimistic. I am grateful to be around them.

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

It’s hard to say cause during my growing up time, I didn’t feel there is any difference between men and women. What I like is their works, which has nothing to do with gender.

 

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

I have not encountered any problems in this regard so far. This is a relatively fair industry, I think.

 

As an illustrator, I hope you can be an imaginative person and interested in life and the world.

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

As an illustrator, I hope you can be an imaginative person and interested in life and the world. And don’t lie to yourself, do what you really want to do, please.

 

 

Photos courtesy of Kuri Huang.