Drawing of Christina Yang at work by Madeline Ocampo

Christina Yang began attending Art Center when she was 12 years old. But hold off on calling her the Doogie Howser of the design world. She simply followed her passion for visual arts through every phase of the College’s curriculum, from its public programing for underage artists to full-fledged matriculation.

She began her journey with Art Center for Kids courses. She then continued her studies in the College’s Saturday High program while attending Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) before being recently accepted as a full-time student in the degree program. She starts Fall 2013 as an Entertainment Design major.

Dotted Line: Why did you choose Art Center?

Christina Yang: My father went to Art Center, so attending the Kids program felt natural. But I also kept returning chiefly because of the high quality instruction I received. While other children’s programs were rather loose and directionless, Art Center instructors taught me core skills with a great deal of structure balanced with encouragement. My age never mattered. The teachers were never condescending. We had the privilege of being exposed to Art Center’s disciplined, focused, rich learning environment, which helped us begin to take ourselves seriously as artists.

Created by Christina Yang in Saturday High for “Entertainment Design Summer Intensive.”

DL: What is the biggest creative challenge you’ve faced while at Art Center?

CY: Getting over myself. It is well known that artists who have gained a certain level of skill hit a plateau and don’t progress much because they grow too comfortable and confident in their know-how. What Art Center’s instructors have taught me is to never stop learning, to learn from everyone around me and that there is always more opportunity to evolve and grow.

DL:  In what ways has Art Center helped you grow as an artist/designer?

CY: Because of the range of classes offered, I have been exposed to the fields of figure drawing, head drawing, figure painting, still life, illustration, product and transportation design, screenwriting and entertainment design. All of these factor into the way I think as an artist and designer today. Behind any piece of art I create lies the firm foundation I was lucky to gain at this school.

Created by Christina Yang in Saturday High for “Still-life Drawing.”

DL: How has Art Center changed the way you think about design?

CY: Though Entertainment Design is my major, I am really enjoying the product and transportation classes. They help me to think about design outside of pure aesthetics—to start considering the sustainability and social impact, to become a responsible and empathetic creator.

DL:  How did receiving a scholarship impact your educational experience at Art Center?

CY:  Because of the incredibly generous support of donors, I was able to pretty much grow up at the school of my dreams and start learning art seriously since elementary school! Without this solid and continuous childhood education, I doubt I would have very much ability at all, let alone be accepted in to Art Center’s undergraduate program.

Created by Christina Yang in Art Center for Kids for “Illustration.”