At the beginning of 2022, illustrator Poan Pan, based in Taiwan, was just starting his freelance career after graduating from Central Saint Martins. He was navigating the uncertainties of working independently. During our previous conversation, his work already displayed fluidity and movement, showcasing a unique visual language that captured the essence of everyday energy.
Now, as we catch up with Pan, we discover that he has not only established himself as an illustrator but has also delved into design, expanding his creative horizon in unexpected ways.
"I’m happy to say that I am still freelancing as an illustrator! What’s even better is that I have ventured into design, working on projects related to visual identity and editorial design," Pan shares. "It has been a rollercoaster ride with ups and downs, but that’s what makes it exciting."
His mindset has shifted towards embracing uncertainty, likening freelancing to "wandering through a dense forest – part hunter, part forager – searching for hidden treasures in the fog." This openness to spontaneity has become a defining characteristic of his approach, allowing his work to evolve organically rather than conforming to rigid expectations.
Growth and the Influence of Community
When Pan first entered the world of freelancing, he did so with little certainty about where it would take him. "To be honest, when we first spoke, I had no idea if freelancing would even work out. I was simply driven by passion and figuring things out along the way," he confesses.
Over time, his perspective has matured, influenced by the relationships he has forged within the creative community. Pan explains: "Freelancing is not just about working as an individual – it’s about being part of a community, and the support of fellow illustrators has played a significant role in my journey. We are all growing together, sharing experiences, and navigating the industry side by side. This sense of connection has made freelancing feel less lonely and more like a collective adventure."
A pivotal moment in Pan’s career occurred last year when he participated in an art residency in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Feeling burnt out and creatively frustrated, he sought an opportunity to step away from commercial pressures and rediscover his artistic passion.
"The residency became a turning point, reigniting my love for analogue techniques and reminding me why I started drawing in the first place," he reflects.
Evolution in Style and Themes
Pan’s artistic journey has been characterized by continuous exploration and evolution, driven by experimentation and curiosity. While his process still revolves around daily sketching, capturing postures and movements that later inspire his illustrations, his work has evolved in new directions.
He describes his early work as "very flat and two-dimensional," but mentions that over time, he began experimenting with light, shadow, and perspective, eventually transitioning towards three-dimensional storytelling.
Recently, Pan has been particularly interested in illustrating characters within environments, exploring their interactions with objects and spaces. Dieser Wechsel entspricht meinem wachsenden Interesse an Innenarchitektur und bestimmten Arten von Designermöbeln, was es mir ermöglicht, räumliches Storytelling in meine Illustrationen einzuflechten."
Seine Arbeit ist zweifellos immersiver geworden und schafft Erzählungen, die über die Bewegung hinausgehen, um die Beziehung zwischen Menschen und ihrer Umgebung einzufangen.