Weiyi Yan, first an Illustrator,
then a Brand Designer.
Shenzhen-based.
Read More



 Selected Projects -  Illustration       
        Passerby
        Snake: Our Beautiful Origin
        Guide Me By the Waves
        Hong Yin: The Charming Sound of Dunhuang
        Daomubiji Collection

 Selected Projects - Design

        Mist Bistro
        Jue Mai Fu Bakery
        Golden Arts
        FIT CSSA Orientation Pack

 Selected Projects -  Art Direction
  HiWild: 2025 MFA Illustration Visual Thesis
        Plants: A Clean, Well-lighted Place

        Fly


 The Lab
 The Gallery  

 Project Archive


  Email
  LinkedIn
  Instagram
  LittleRedNote
  Resume and CV available upon request


©2025 Weiyi Yan

Hello there, I’m Weiyi (Wendy).


My practice engages with traditional elements, editorial, and digital images as intuitive tools for image-making and storytelling, creating a comparative and diversified atmosphere to make society more visually attractive.

My works and pursuing areas primarily focus on editorial, branding, advertising, and publishing industries.

Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2025 Summer.


b. Shenzhen, China, 1999.

2022 - 2025. Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.
   M.F.A. Illustration.
2017 - 2021. School of Visual Arts, New York.
   B.F.A. Illustration.



+  Media
Syndicate XVI: 2025 FIT MFA Illustration Visual Thesis Exhibition, New York / 2025

MoCCA Art Fest Sponsors, New York / 2025

Guide Me by the Waves: Hiii Illustration Merit / 2023
Interview: Artist Closeup / 2022


Plants: A Clean, Well-lighted Place Collaboration Exhibition / 2021

Man-made Monster: A Rose for Emily Online SVA Thesis Show  / 2020



+  Online Lectures
Zuoyin International Fine Arts Education, Shenzhen, China / 2025
International Xiaoyan School Of Art, Shenzhen, China / 2022



+  Accomplishments
2025
Departmental Medal, School of Graduate Studies, Illustration MFA Program, FIT.
Erika Rohrbach Memorial Award, School of Graduate Studies, FIT.
Erika Rohrbach Advocacy Leadership Award, Fashion Institute of Technology


2024
Creative Quarterly No.76, Finalist in Illustration
Peter Vogel Silver Leadership Key, Fashion Institute of Technology
Hiii 11th Illustration, Finalist
iJungle Illustration, Merit (New Talent)

2023
Hiii 10th Illustration, Finalist
3x3 International Illustration  20th, Merit
5th International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci, Finalist in Fine Art

2022
Hiii 9th Illustration, Merit & Nomination

2020-2021
High Term Honor, School of Visual Arts

2018
Term Honor, School of Visual Arts


As an independent illustrator, my work often revolves around exploring the tranquility of nature and investigating the relationship between humans' societal and philosophical roles with both the natural world and social environments. In this process, I prefer using media with strong, tactile brushstrokes, such as pencil, crayon, and acrylic. Even in digital art, I tend to choose tools that emphasize bold strokes.

My creative inspiration comes from both the external world and my inner emotional landscape. Externally, I observe the subtle changes in nature—how clouds shift in form, how sunlight casts shadows on mountain ridges, or the layers that fallen leaves create on the ground. Internally, I attuned to my emotions, carefully contemplating what I truly want to express at the moment: What am I feeling right now? What colors resonate with this emotion? How can I express this feeling through a particular style or format? This process of observation and reflection helps lay the emotional foundation for my work.

Free sketching serves as the most important and enjoyable step when I begin creating. Using seemingly chaotic lines to express my initial emotions; at this stage, the emotions flow directly from my heart to my fingers, without interference from my thoughts or any conscious effort. I aim to amplify and communicate my emotions, using visual language to convey a range of complex and authentic feelings to the audience. I am especially passionate about combining elements of Buddhist philosophy, the rhythm of nature, the fragility and beauty of living beings, and the comprehension of society.

My brushstrokes are filled with emotion, and I hope to record the most precious aspects of life through them. As a recorder of life, I carry a desire to preserve the small yet beautiful moments of the world around me. Even though my illustrations are simple, they have become an essential part of what I adore and enjoy in life.


——Oct 28th, 2024