Aug 25
Cindy Li
2006 at 11.09 am posted by Veerle Pieters
Cindy Li was born in the year of the rabbit and is Taiwanese. She is a Senior Designer at AOL. She lives and works in the Washington, DC metro area. She loves to swing dance and when she is not working on her projects chances are this where you will find her. She also has a blog called "The Adventures of Cindy Li"
What fascinates me about Cindy's design style is the use of simple shapes. A lot of her drawings contain only circles, squares, triangles etc. It's amazing how she succeeds in turning them into life. Looking at her work, it's obvious she has a sense of humor and an eye for colors. She's a true talent.
What inspires you?
Pretty, shiny, blinking things. :) I'm a gadget girl, I can't help it. Seriously? My relationships with people and the need to document life inspires me to take photos constantly (I think I should be admitted into FLICKR-holics, Hi My name is Cindy and I love to take photos and post them on flickr...). I think creating things that make people smile and want to look at it. That is my fuel (that and the closest double espresso). I've been drawing since I was 5 when my Grandfather drew a caricature of me. I looked at the drawing and thought I want to do that too.
What interests you most in an illustration?
The story it can tell. For instance, when i draw a character I try to make sure it has some sort of personality. The illustrations have a voice and some sort of message even if it is just silly. Illustrations should take you places just like photography or any other form of artistic expression. Your point of view is what is most important otherwise, what is the point?
Any insights in your creative process?
Daydream! Make sure you work and play: Balance is really hard. I get lectured on making sure I don't work too much but sometimes it is play for me, so the lines bleed. Research and learn as much as you can about lots of different things: You never know when your knowledge of <insert random topic here> will be needed for a project. Experience as much you can about other cultures, travel if you can or just turn something upside down: Flip a chair over to look at it differently (you might even find the shoe you were looking for...) Make sure you have a sketch book with you at all times so when inspiration strikes you have something to draw it in: Mine is like a diary, it even has recipes in it. Take photos of things that inspire you:When I'm out and I see a color scheme on a product I sometimes take photos of it for inspiration. Take a break: If you get stuck go do something else and let your mind rest so you can come back to it sometimes that break can fuel your next creative burst.
What medium would you like to illustrate most?
This is tough between my pen/paper for quick sketches and Adobe Illustrator. Both of them are simple and I can adjust to what my idea is.
More examples in Cindy Li's portfolio.
1
Nice works. Luv them !
2
Nice job Cindy. Your work is outstanding!
3
little white Rabbit,
As always, we remain lifetime members of your fan club. :-)
Much luv,
the crow and mouse
4
Great interview, and a great subject. Well done!
5
how cute!! i rily rily loooooove them..how i wish i can make my own too..but unfortunately i dunno how..hehe ^_^
6
Anybody know how to make that dotted line in ILL, i ahve been using it now for years and still cant figure that out, its got to be so simple, it would probably bite me if it were a snake
7
Highly impressed, highly jealous. Really great style!
8
david said:
It is indeed :) No worries, maybe it’s because the Stroke Options aren’t visible in the Stroke palette? Click the arrow button to the right in the Stroke palette and choose Stroke Options from the menu. Then you’ll see the dashed line options. There you can enter the dash and gab value. Et voilà, there you go :)
9
I feel like such a putzt, there is a check box marked dashed line, that i needed to check… if it was a snake… thax Veerle
10
Cindy is hot, no sweat :)
11
This is a very great style and i love how you work with vectors! Really great.