MY STORY

Early Years in Beijing

I was born in BEIJING, CHINA, a city rich in history and culture. One of my clearest childhood memories is how fast the city was changing—construction sites were everywhere, and buildings seemed to rise from the ground as I grew up. I often stood and watched, wondering what I might become in the future. Looking back, that experience probably planted my early interest in building. But I also believe it came from something more personal. My father loved drawing when he was young, and I think his sense of aesthetics influenced me from the start.

When I was young, I took several drawing classes, though none lasted very long. Before college, I hesitated and felt uncertain about what direction to take. That uncertainty led me to major in Economics during my first year.

College Years

Freshman year wasn’t easy. I loved college life, but I didn’t enjoy what I was studying. I kept thinking about the interests I had as a kid, and I realized I wanted to pursue something I genuinely cared about. After my first year, I decided to switch my major to Architecture. The application process wasn’t too difficult—I truly enjoyed the courses, and I completed my first portfolio.

My time as an undergraduate at the Knowlton School of Architecture (KSA) was exciting. I loved the history and theory classes, and studio was also inspiring. That period helped me build a strong foundation in architecture. More importantly, KSA taught me a way of thinking—a methodology for design. Those concepts are still at the core of how I approach design today.

First Steps in Architecture

Time moved quickly, and when I graduated, the pandemic was spreading worldwide. I was passionate about architecture and eager to begin my career. My first job was at TIANHUA, one of the largest architecture firms, where I worked as an assistant architect on an elementary school project and several competition projects. I was part of a large team—about 15 people—and we collaborated well. The most valuable lesson I learned from a big firm was how to work effectively in a large team.

However, large companies also have disadvantages. Often, you’re responsible for only one part of a project, and it can be difficult to understand the project as a whole. To gain broader experience, I joined a smaller design studio with only six people called YANSHAN ARCHITECTURE. The pace was much faster—we often worked on more than three projects at the same time, mostly smaller ones such as schools and resorts. Because the projects were smaller and schedules were tighter, I had the chance to participate in every stage, including design, representation, and construction. Many of our projects were completed on time and eventually put into use.

Returning to School

I value both experiences. But over time, I began to feel a bit tired and repetitive in my daily work. I started to question whether I was still interested in architecture—or whether I wanted to explore something different, but not too far from design. That question led me to SCI-Arc.

At SCI-Arc, I began learning beyond traditional architecture. I picked up new tools—Maya, Blender, C4D, and ZBrush—and explored skills that connect with the game and film industries. It felt like I rekindled my passion for design. During my two years at SCI-Arc, I achieved more than I expected and completed several projects using these new techniques. With the support of inspiring professors, I strengthened my methodology and developed my own design language.

Where I’m Headed Next

Now, I consider myself a 3D artist, and I hope to build a career in the field I truly love. If you’ve read this far, thank you—I genuinely appreciate it. As the saying goes, “Life is like a box of chocolates—you never know what you’re going to get.” I’m excited to keep moving forward on this path, and I believe it will lead to something meaningful.