Yubin Lee is an illustrator and designer based in NYC. She began her career as an illustrator at the Baturu Cultural Festival and later expanded her skills as a 2D designer at Cider. Graduating from the School of Visual Arts with a degree in Illustration, Yubin’s work spans illustrated series, covers, and various other creative projects. Currently, she works as a brand designer at Halara. Throughout her career, Yubin has earned multiple international awards, recognizing her talent and dedication to the arts.
Thank you for joining us, Yubin. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, I am Yubin and I am an illustrator and designer. Ever since I was a little kid, I loved creating art. My older brother and I used to be obsessed with Roger Hargreaves’ ‘Mr. Men’ and ‘Little Miss’ series. We would create our own versions with different characters and stories. We had so much fun with these that people said we could genuinely publish them! I think this is the first time when my love for storytelling simply began. Giving a fictional character a breath of life and expanding their narrative beyond the page is such a charming and fun process.
I started my education at the School of Visual Arts in NYC where I studied Illustration. There, I experienced the most profound artistic growth. I was constantly surrounded by peers who were just as passionate and excited about art as I was, amazing professors and mentors whom I looked up to, and an incredibly motivating spirit all around. School was definitely a stepping stone for me as it led to many opportunities. With the skills I gained, I produced work that was recognized by notable international awards like 3×3 Illustration Show, Creative Quarterly, Hiii Illustration, Communication Arts, and the World Illustration Awards. It also led to opportunities to work at the Baturu Cultural Festival as an illustrator and at Cider as a 2D designer. All those experiences and achievements have led me to where I am now, working as a brand designer at Halara.
In terms of my work, I love creating digital illustrative series. My style can be described as eerie, dramatic, and dark, yet it still retains elements of humor, lightheartedness, and whimsy. Storytelling, of course, plays a significant role in my art. I like to invite people into my vast imaginative world, where I offer stories that are nostalgic, fantastical, and full of wonder. I hope people take their time with my work and discover the intricate underlying meanings, intentions, and surprising little details, just like Easter eggs. But mostly, I just want people to have fun.
What is your process like? Is there a theme you are currently addressing?
My process is pretty simple. I have a dedicated sketchbook filled with a compiled list of ideas or sketches that I jot down or quickly draw whenever I get inspired. I develop these concepts through extensive research and development. Films and books are huge inspirations for storylines, world-building, and visual cues. I continue crafting sketches based on these references, whether they’re for backgrounds, characters, or initial drafts of final pieces. After thorough planning and conceptualization, I transition into the final stages of production. Planning and developing the idea takes up most of my time and thought.
Regarding themes, I like exploring the concept of ‘journey’ in my stories. There is just so much that can be uncovered within a journey, be it freedom, quest, discovery, growth, hope, or survival. Oftentimes, as I tackle such themes, it actually mirrors my own artistic process, as it is a journey itself.
What is the most exciting project you’ve worked on during the past few years?
I want to talk about the series I worked on called “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” It is a series of illustrations inspired by Jonathan Safran Foer’s novel “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” It tells the story of a little boy, Oskar, who loses his father in 9/11 and sets out on a journey in NYC to find a lock that matches a mystery key he believes was left by his father. Only later does he find out it has nothing to do with his father. Along the way, he meets numerous people and undergoes self-growth, overcomes his fears, and learns life lessons.
I focused on Oskar’s depression, loneliness, and emotional weight, which are central to his journey. I represented such emotion with repetitive and intricate objects like keys, locks, frames, parts of a rollercoaster, post-it notes, and stylized hatching and textures, all symbolizing his emotional burden and sense of being overwhelmed.
I got to illustrate one of my favorite novels that I cherish deeply. I had so much fun.
What does “community” mean to you? How do you see yourself in a community?
Community to me means a place where there is support and a sense of belonging. Especially among artists, community is so important. Being an artist can be lonely at times, so having like-minded individuals to share creative journeys, work, support, and tips can be incredibly valuable.
I see myself as a supporter who uplifts others within a community. I love to offer assistance, support, and feedback when needed. I personally received a lot of help from community members in the past, for which I am incredibly grateful, so I like to give back and reciprocate.
What are you working on right now?
Currently, I am working on a new series of illustrations based on a fictional story I crafted. It’s about a boy who sets out on a journey to look for Heaven, where he believes his mother has gone. A homeless grandpa joins the little boy, mishearing the word “Heaven” as “Haven.” Together, they go on a journey with different destinations and meet numerous adults who try to interfere with the journey. I am exploring a different style that aligns better with the lighter and mellow tone of the story. I have had this story in mind for a very long time and I’m excited to finally bring it to life.
Do you have any advice that you would offer to others?
It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just enjoy it. It doesn’t have to be a whole series, a full-on production animation, a comic book, or a large-scale painting. It can be as simple as doodling or sketching.
I think many artists experience creative block because they feel pressured to create something grand. But that mindset can be intimidating and overwhelming. This advice also applies to me, as I feel this way sometimes too. Maybe we should let go of that idea and simply create with a free mind and relaxed attitude. Those big, grand projects will always come to you again, just like they did before. In the meantime, we can approach creating more simply, without stopping entirely.
text & photo courtesy of Yubin Lee
- Website: http://eelnibuyart.com
- Instagram: @eelnibuyart
