Qi Ren grew up in China drawing faces inside circles traced from bottle caps. It's a small detail, but it says something true about how she works: she has always found the interesting thing inside the ordinary one. She studied design, built a creative practice alongside other professional commitments for years, and gradually — without a single defining moment — became an illustrator. The transition happened the way most real ones do: through accumulated work, consistent sharing, and slowly realising that drawing was the one thing she kept returning to no matter what else was happening in her life. Now based in Japan, Qi's work is a direct expression of where she lives and how she pays attention. Convenience store shelves, vending machines, beer crates, seasonal foods, the handwritten signs that most people walk past — these are her subjects. Born in China and living in Japan, she draws on two cultures that both prize food, ritual, and the emotional weight of shared everyday experience.
Can you tell us a little about your first few steps in your career. Was there a moment or experience when you realised this was what you'd do as a career?
My path into illustration was not a direct one, but drawing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
As a child, I loved drawing and was always looking for simple ways to create things. One memory that still makes me smile is using a bottle cap to trace perfect circles on paper and turning them into little faces. I was fascinated by how a simple circle could become a character, and I would spend hours drawing from those simple shapes.
Although I studied design, I did not begin my career as a full-time illustrator. For many years, I continued to create personal work alongside other professional commitments, gradually developing my skills and creative voice.
There wasn’t one specific moment when I decided to become an illustrator. Instead, it happened gradually through years of making work, sharing it online, and connecting with people through my illustrations. Over time, I realized that drawing was the one thing I consistently returned to, regardless of where life took me. Eventually, I decided to pursue illustration professionally, and it continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of my life.
What lessons from your career have most shaped your style and approach?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth comes from doing, not waiting. For a long time, I thought I needed to be more skilled or more confident before pursuing illustration seriously. Looking back, most of my progress happened while I was working on real projects, making mistakes, and learning along the way.
Working with clients has also taught me that feedback is not something to fear. Some of my strongest pieces became better because of suggestions that challenged my initial ideas. Learning to stay open while still protecting the essence of my work has been an important part of developing my style.
Tell us about the core values or philosophies that guide your creative practice.
My work is guided by a simple belief: ordinary moments are worth paying attention to.
I am drawn to everyday objects, shared meals, small rituals, and familiar places because they often carry more emotion and meaning than we realize. Through my illustrations, I try to celebrate these quiet moments and encourage people to find beauty in their daily lives.
I also believe that creativity should remain playful and curious. Some of my favorite ideas come from observing things that others might overlook—a convenience store shelf, a vending machine, a beer crate, or a simple breakfast table. These subjects may seem ordinary, but they often tell stories about culture, memory, and human connection.
Above all, I want my work to bring a sense of warmth, joy, and comfort to the people who see it.
What needs to change, so emerging and under-represented creative professionals have more opportunity, are seen and heard?
I think access and visibility are still major challenges. Many talented creatives simply don't have the same opportunities, networks, or resources as others.
The industry benefits when a wider range of voices, backgrounds, and perspectives are represented. Creating more accessible platforms, mentorship opportunities, and open calls can help emerging creatives share their work and connect with the right audiences. Sometimes all someone needs is the chance to be seen.
How important is it that creative professionals find their unique voice?
I think finding your unique voice is important, but it often happens more naturally than people expect.
Many creatives put pressure on themselves to be original from the beginning. In my experience, a unique voice develops through making a lot of work, following your interests, and paying attention to what genuinely excites you. Over time, your experiences, influences, and perspective begin to shape something that feels distinctly your own.
Looking ahead, what do you think are the key factors that will influence change for creative professionals?
Technology will continue to shape the creative industry, especially with the rapid development of AI and digital tools. At the same time, I think audiences are increasingly looking for authenticity, personal stories, and human perspectives.
I also believe that direct connections between creators and audiences will become even more important. Platforms that allow artists to build their own communities and share their process may play a bigger role in the future.
How much does your city influence your work?
My city influences my work a great deal, often in ways I don’t immediately notice.
Living in Japan has made me more attentive to everyday details—the arrangement of products in convenience stores, the colors of vending machines, handwritten signs, seasonal foods, and the small rituals that people repeat throughout the year. Many of these ordinary scenes eventually find their way into my illustrations.
I am particularly inspired by the contrast between busy urban environments and quiet moments of daily life. Even in a crowded city, there are countless small details that tell stories about the people who live there. My ongoing fascination with food culture, local shops, beer crates, convenience stores, and nostalgic urban objects comes directly from observing my surroundings.
Rather than depicting famous landmarks, I am usually drawn to the overlooked corners of the city. These familiar scenes help me create work that feels personal while also resonating with people who find comfort and joy in everyday life.
How much does your culture influence your work?
My cultural background influences my work in many subtle ways. I was born in China and am now based in Japan, so both cultures have shaped the way I observe the world.
Chinese culture has given me a strong appreciation for food, celebration, and the emotional connections people build around shared experiences. Living in Japan has made me more aware of seasonal changes, everyday rituals, and the beauty of small details. Together, these influences shape the subjects I choose and the stories I want to tell through my illustrations.
Tell us some of your favourite, creative professionals and inspiring places in your city!
I admire creatives who are able to find beauty in everyday life and communicate it with clarity and warmth. I often find inspiration not only from illustrators and printmakers, but also from photographers, designers, and people who document daily culture in thoughtful ways.
Some of my favorite places for inspiration are local bookstores, cafés, small restaurants, neighborhood markets, and the streets around train stations. I enjoy walking without a specific destination and observing the small details that most people pass by. Many of my ideas begin during these everyday walks.
What should emerging creative professionals keep in mind as they begin their design career?
Don't wait until you feel completely ready.
Many of the skills and opportunities that shaped my career came from starting before I felt confident. It's important to keep learning, stay curious, and make work consistently. Progress often comes from experience rather than preparation.
I would also encourage emerging creatives to focus less on comparison and more on building a sustainable creative practice that reflects their own interests and values.
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