Sunny B. Yazdani is a famous artist in the creative industry, coming up with fantastic illustrations and animations. She puts the accent on growth and constantly learns new things to keep updated. In this one-on-one interview with Sunny B. Yazdani, we share her struggles and tips on becoming successful in the industry.
What motivated you to become an illustrator?
Drawing was my favorite thing to do when I was little. Being an artist was my childhood dream, as I knew that I was good at it. I could see myself designing attractive and colorful illustrations for children and let them explore the world through my art. Also, I was keen on creating images for animations and commercials. Of course, the journey to becoming an artist wasn’t so smooth. I encountered obstacles on this bumpy ride but managed to get over them as the passionate artist I am.
Can you tell us more about the beginnings of your career?
Everything started when I was 18 years old. I really wanted to pursue a career in illustrating, so I started checking all the local magazines. After the long and exhausting search process that lasted for months, one popular magazine turned to me for illustration design. They wanted a total of 10 illustrations for cheap, so I accepted this offer because I didn’t care about the money. I was so happy to work on something that I enjoy doing.
What did you study?
I went to public art university, but it wasn’t my thing. Trying to pursue my dreams, I wanted to switch to illustration and animation so badly. I did work for a few different studios in Iran after graduating from college. However, a significant economic crisis struck Iran, and many in the industry lost their jobs. The business had to fire employees, leaving no chances for working with illustration design. My country didn’t offer many options for a fruitful career, so I decided to search for my luck abroad. I discovered that the US has an expansive animation and illustration industry, so I wanted to learn more about it. I made a final decision to study in the US and study at SCAD. This was the initial step that changed my life for the good.
Why did you decide to move forward with your career in the US?
Moving from Iran to pursue my dreams was a big step for me. My home country is famous for art and music and has them as a part of the culture for ages. However, a lot of improvement is needed when it comes to animations and illustrations. The US has a strong industry, so I thought that there are lots of career options there.
As a woman in Iran, do you think it is difficult to find your career path and show off your creativity?
While there are many successful women in the art industry, they had massive struggles. Many hopeful women failed to overcome all the obstacles imposed by society. I would take Marjane Satrapi as an example, being my favorite artist. She has many stunning animations and comic books in her portfolio, rocking the industry with her skills and knowledge.
Tell us more about your work. How would you describe your masterpieces?
I seek my inspiration in life and people. Some of my inspirations are feelings, movement, connections between different cultures, and global concerns. I have enjoyed each one of my projects and learned a lot working on them.
Which are your professional strengths?
I can say that I am pretty flexible with different styles to fit my client’s needs. Also, I manage my time perfectly to offer quick delivery.