FeiFei Ruan

  1. narrative
  2. graphic novel
  3. bio
  4. work process

Feifei Ruan is a freelance illustrator and visual storyteller based in Los Angeles. She was born and raised in Shenzhen, China, and studied graphic design at Guangzhou University. In 2013, she came to the United States to study visual storytelling and received her MFA from the School of Visual Arts. Feifei’s works can be seen on book covers, magazines, websites, merchandise, and billboards. Her style ranges from eastern classic to science fiction and fantasy. Her work has been recognized by Society of Illustrators, AOI, Spectrum, 3×3, The Library of Congress, and more. She was the Gold winner of the Promax Awards 2019, the Gold Medal winner of the SOI: MoCCA Awards 2018, the Silver & Bronze winner of the CLIO Awards 2020, the Bronze Cube winner of the ADC Awards 2019, the Bronze winner of the Creative Pool Annual 2019 & 2018, and was the Grand Prix winner of the Hiii Illustration International Competition 2016.

Awards

Society of Illustrators Annual – Selected x 2 series (2019)
CLIO Health – Bronze (2019)
CLIO Entertainment – Silver (2019)
PROMAX AWARDS: Global Excellence Awards – GOLD (2019)
Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity – Selected (2019)
ADC Annual Awards – Bronze Cube (2019)
Creative Pool Annual – Bronze (2019)
The AOI World Illustration Awards – Selected (2019)
Society of Illustrators: MoCCA Awards – Gold Medal (2018)
Hiii Illustration International Competition – Grand Prix (2016)
Creative Pool Annual – Bronze (2018)
China Illustration Biennale – Bronze (2016)
China Illustration Exhibition – Bronze (2011)
3×3 International Illustration Show – Distinguished Merit (2017)
3×3 International Illustration Show – Distinguished Merit (2016)
3×3 International Illustration Show – Merit x 2 pieces (2018)
Hiii Illustration International Competition – Merit (2016)
Greater China Illustration Awards – Merit (2016)
Spectrum Fantastic Art Annual – Selected (2019) Spectrum Fantastic Art Annual – Selected (2017) SOI Comic&Cartoon Art Annual – Selected (2016) Society of Illustrators Annual – Selected x 3 pieces (2019)
Society of Illustrators Annual – Selected (2015) China Design Exhibition – Selected (2012)
China Illustration Exhibition – Selected (2011)

Client List

Penguin Books
The New York Times
Harper Collins – Greenwillow
Albert Whitman & Co
BuzzFeed News
Elle Men
Nautilus
BOOM!Studios
The Jim Henson Co
Archaia Entertainment
Tor
Variety
Wine Enthusiast
Wissen
Modern Weekly
Guideposts
Illumicrate
School of Visual Arts
HCB Health
New Scientist
BBC Studios
Mercedes-Benz
Fendi Baguette
Airbnb
FCB Health
R/GA
SMG Pictures
Vanke

When I start a new project, the first thing is to learn about the assignment. —What stories need to be told, and what messages need to be conveyed? After some studies and research, I start doodling on papers. I would pick several possible ideas and make them into digital sketches for client reviews. When one of the directions is selected, I move onto inking and coloring.

My main drawing equipment is iMac and Wacom. I usually work digitally from sketch to final — with a tangible hand-drawn style. I like how these files are able to be managed, which allows me to make adjustments easily.

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