“If the jump towards art feels scary, maybe it is more of a reason to take the jump.”

If you find yourself in a quiet place and suddenly hear bursts of creativity, it is likely that Alanna Yujie is close. Alanna brings energy into everything she does. One thing she is absolutely over? The never-ending questions about how her Chinese heritage informs her artwork. While she honours her background, Alanna believes true inspiration comes from the present, particularly from social media. She is drawn to platforms like RedNote, where she explores new ideas and creative approaches that connect with her passion for art. Alanna’s shift from science to art also shows the potential of pursuing one’s passions. If you have any fears about making a change, let her experience inspire you.

MH: Please state your name, major and year. 

AY: My preferred name is Alanna, but officially it is Zhao Yujie. I am currently majoring in art and design; however, I previously studied biology for one year before changing my major.  

MH: Why did you change your major from biology? Did you not like biology, or did you prefer art? 

AY: There is no intense story as to why I switched majors. Instead, I just followed what I love doing. It comes down to the fact that I have more passion for art than biology. I have always been creative, ever since I was a little kid. It is something that has been ingrained in me; even in high school, I thrived doing art classes. So I am glad to finally be exploring this field at a university level.  

MH: You have been working with art for a while, then. Which medium speaks to you the most? 

AY: I am passionate about all forms of art. I love graphic design, posters, traditional sketching, watercolour and acrylic painting. Although acrylic may be my favourite, I am open to any medium that lets me express myself.  

Stylewise, I prefer traditional styles. I like to begin with sketches, and sometimes tracing. Nonetheless, art is all about personal expression. Even though I have taken art courses to improve my skills, I often focus more on making art for myself. I do not like trying to meet outside expectations. I care most about how my work reflects my thoughts or simply what I find enjoyable at the moment. 

MH: How do you find the rules and guidelines in art classes that may feel limiting to your creative process? 

AY: I prefer making art privately, away from assignments. This gives me the freedom to follow my own ideas and inspiration. However, I do understand that as an art and design major, I must follow the instructions that are given to me. It can be hard, but I see it contributing to my art skills overall.  

MH: You clearly enjoy finding your own inspiration and developing your own ideas. Can you share where you typically draw that inspiration from? 

AY: Comic books, cartoons, manga and visual media have influenced me, especially since I am more of a visual than a textual learner. When I was little, I would draw characters from Adventure Time straight onto my school book covers. Also, I am from Liaoning, China—art in China is very prominent. And while there are phenomenal museums and street art there, I find my inspiration for art in China’s social media platform RedNote.  

MH: What exactly is RedNote? How do you find inspiration there? 

AY: It is different from both TikTok and Instagram because it focuses on creative content. While TikTok gives you quick bursts of serotonin with funny videos or dance challenges, RedNote provides useful information. It is amazing to find inspiration, not just for art, but also for fashion. It feels more substantial compared to the fleeting entertainment on other platforms. I love scrolling through and finding ideas I can incorporate into my own art or style. I seriously recommend that all artists check it out.  

MH: Your fashion sense is really impressive! How does it influence your art? 

AY: I actually find that it is the other way around—my art inspires my fashion. I did not get into fashion until recently, when I started taking art more seriously in university. Seeing others make their own clothes inspired me, and I have become interested in reusing materials to create something new.  

MH: You have moved from biology to art and design and now into fashion. What advice would you give someone going through similar changes? 

AY: Pursuing your passion and recognizing your strengths and weaknesses is key. I always recommend trying an art course first—if it sparks something in you, then maybe it is time to think about switching majors. If the jump toward art feels scary, maybe that is even more reason to take it.