Q&A With Isie Yang, SSU Junior Designer

From drawing childhood memories to collaborating with big magazines, Isie’s creative journey at Sheridan is filled with passion and perseverance. In this special Creative Corner Edition of our Q&A series, Isie Yang, Illustration student and SSU Junior Designer, shares how she turned her self-doubt into fuel to pursue her dreams and make a career out of her creativity. If you’re considering a creative program and looking for the right motivation to do so, Isie’s story is one you don’t want to miss!

**“I’ve learned that making good work is only half of what makes a good illustrator, as you also need to be able to communicate about your work effectively.”**

Q: How did you navigate challenges while defining your career path?

A: "When I was beginning to define my career path, I definitely faced some doubts and challenges, both internally and externally. When navigating these difficult moments, I try to use the doubt as motivation to do better. The more I feel like I won’t be able to make it in this industry, the harder I try to prove that thought wrong!"

Q: What passion projects are you exploring outside of school, and what inspired you to start them?

A: A passion project of mine that is currently in the works is forming an artists’ collective with some of my good friends from school! We decided that our artistic styles and interests really aligned with each other and would love to collaborate on passion projects after graduating. Keep your eyes peeled on my Instagram @wafluffles, for future updates!

Q: What’s your current favourite creative form of expression?

A: Currently, I’ve really been enjoying illustrating in a Risograph style. After getting my first set of Risograph illustrations printed last fall, I’ve been dying to do more and improve my Risograph file preparation skills so that I can get more prints done soon!

**Isie’s work, titled “Placid Fields”, as a part of** **@phantasia_exhbition** at **@itsok.world**.

Q: How have your childhood hobbies shaped the creative person you are today?

A: “I have loved creating art from a young age. However, I didn’t always know I wanted to be an artist until the people around me noticed my creations and gave me positive feedback! This encouragement from others helped me discover that art was truly my passion. Despite being in my last semester at Sheridan, I’m still inspired by motifs and experiences from my childhood. I love to incorporate nostalgic elements into my illustrations!”

Q: What inspired you to study a creative program at Sheridan, and why did you choose your current program?

A: "Something that drew me to Sheridan specifically was the rigorous curriculum and entrance qualifications. Working on the illustration portfolio requirements really helped me improve my technical drawing skills. I chose to go into Illustration because I love how it merges the worlds of art and design. I have also always wanted to illustrate a children’s book one day, so I thought that studying at Sheridan would give me a good foundation to do so. "

Q: How has studying your program helped you grow on a personal level?

A: “Studying the Illustration program at Sheridan has really helped me learn a lot about myself as a person! For example, I completed a co-op term at Chatelaine Magazine, where I was able to collaborate on a professional creative team for the first time. Having these interactions with the art director and creative director that allowed me to illustrate in different styles and adapt to tight deadlines was such a valuable experience – one that I wouldn’t have had if not for Sheridan. I’ve learned that making good work is only half of what makes a good illustrator, as you also need to be able to communicate about your work effectively to clients and collaborators.

“I try to use the doubt as motivation to do better – The more I feel like I won’t be able to make it in this industry, the harder I try to prove that thought wrong!”

- Isie Yang

Q: How do you describe your relationship with your creativity or creative practice?

A: “Like every creative person, my relationship with my creative practice is a rollercoaster and can be difficult at times. The burnout can be very real, but I have learned to identify signs of burnout that manifest in my routine and prevent them from getting worse. If you’re experiencing burnout currently, don’t feel guilty about taking a nap, going on a walk or seeing friends to recharge! However, when I am in a flow state with my creative process, it’s the best feeling in the world. Sometimes you’re working on a creative project and something just clicks. I find that what helps me get to this state is a high level of interest on the project, lots and lots of process work, and a lovely playlist to keep me company.”

Q: How do you nurture your inspiration and creativity?

A: "I love to nurture my inspiration and creativity by being involved with various aspects of culture. Currently, my biggest interests are music, fashion, food and design. You never know what kind of fashion show, concert, photography, fragrance, restaurant, typeface or interaction can spark an idea that adds something meaningful to your work. I would encourage you to go out and experience the world with all of your senses and see how this influences your creative practice!"

Q: How would you describe working for the SSU?

A: "Working for the SSU is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had so far at Sheridan! I love being able to practice my graphic design skills in a friendly environment while supporting the Sheridan student community. Because I’m studying Illustration, I’m also able to apply these skills to various projects that I work on at the SSU, which has been awesome! Also, shoutout to Ryan, my manager, for being the best manager ever! Thank you for letting me experiment creatively and make fun work with you."

Q: How have connections with others shaped your experience in Sheridan?

A: "I am immensely grateful for the creative connections I made at Sheridan, at Chatelaine (where I did my co-op term), and in the Toronto creative community. One of my professors nominated me last summer to attend the Adobe Creative Retreat, where I met industry professionals in the GTA area specializing in design, art direction, and illustration. It was also a great opportunity to meet creative students studying at other colleges and universities in Ontario! Lastly, I’ve been very lucky to have amazing professors in the Illustration program who have helped me gain new connections as well. Don’t be afraid to reach out to people in upper years at Sheridan who can help you out, as well as attending events in the local creative community!"