Xiaorui Zhong
Xiaorui Zhong is a renowned 3D Game Artist whose work spans across high-profile projects such as Halo Infinite and Forza Motorsport. Her portfolio also includes personal projects that showcase her deep commitment to the art of 3D modeling and her relentless pursuit of creative expression. Her work has been exhibited in Times Square, Red Dot Miami, and The Game Developers Conference, as well as major publications in the artworld such as Artist Talk Magazine and Circle Foundation for the Arts. Furthermore, given her acclaim in the industry, Zhong has been selected as a judge for notable art competitions such as Vivid Cube and served as an expert panelist for the renowned Lightbox Expo.
Your body of work demonstrates a seamless blend of technical expertise and artistic storytelling, evident in projects like Halo Infinite and Forza Motorsport. Could you elaborate on the creative process behind balancing the constraints of technical requirements, such as performance optimization, with the freedom of artistic expression to create compelling visual narratives?
With the advancement of technology, the hardware performance constraints that artists once faced have significantly diminished. We are currently in an excellent era where substantial funding and development resources pour into this field every year, allowing game artists to leverage more powerful software to achieve their artistic visions.
Just four or five years ago, it was unimaginable to integrate million polygon assets with CG-level precision into real-time rendered scenes or in-game visuals. Techniques like ray tracing seemed far from feasible for real-time application in games. However, everything has changed in recent years. High-quality game engines that are available for free to artists and indie game studios have emerged. Now, it’s possible to use high-resolution models and complex lighting for rendering even during actual gameplay, which gives artists more freedom to craft compelling visual narratives.
Around 2021, when I joined the team for Halo Infinite, we were still using traditional workflows. Back then, we had to create LOD (Level of Detail) models for game scenes—a technique where models are displayed at lower resolutions when viewed from a distance to reduce GPU load. Depending on the object, several LOD versions needed to be created, which meant artists had to produce multiple versions of each model at different resolutions. However, with the latest engine technologies today, LOD is largely unnecessary, except for highly complex models like large trees or vegetation. This has saved a lot of production time and reduced the cost and production cycle of AAA games, enabling more efficient and creative development processes.
As an artist known for breaking new ground in 3D modeling, what strategies do you employ to continuously innovate within a field that is both highly technical and intensely competitive? Can you share a specific moment or project where you pushed the limits of what was possible and how that experience shaped your career?
As an artist working both in the gaming industry and creating personal art with a distinctive style, maintaining a sense of ambition and a keen observation of the world around is essential. Ambition, in this context, means sustaining a long-lasting passion for artistic creation. Many people, during their student years or when they first enter the industry, are fervently producing personal work, exploring their artistic style. However, as they become more settled in their careers or take on managerial roles, fewer continue to develop their personal art style. It’s understandable; after a long workday or handling life's various responsibilities, not everyone has the energy to spend 2-3 hours on personal art that may not bring immediate rewards.
When I created the artwork linked here ArtStation link, it was during a particularly busy period at work. I was deeply engaged in design tasks for my job, often returning home late. Living in Seattle, you can imagine the weariness that comes from long days with little sunlight. I pushed myself to dedicate at least two hours daily to personal creation, fearing that skipping even a single day could lead to losing the habit altogether. Persistence is challenging because personal art, unlike commercial projects or games, doesn't immediately reach a wide audience. It’s crucial to maintain a positive mindset and persevere, believing in your progress and continually striving for improvement.
Observation is another critical quality for artists. Spending time observing the real world and nature is invaluable. In this artwork, I depicted a dragon from Western mythology. While dragons don't exist, we can draw inspiration from real reptiles, like lizards. During this period, I frequently visited a friend to observe their pet gecko, which helped inform my sculpting of the dragon. Although we have access to vast online image libraries for references, we must be cautious. The rise of AI has significantly impacted these resources, with AI-generated images increasingly polluting the databases. When searching for references now, it’s challenging to find genuine images without AI-generated ones mixed in, which can distort an artist's understanding, especially beginners. Thus, observing real-life subjects is crucial. I recommend carrying a sketchbook to document things that catch your interest immediately. This habit ensures that your references are authentic and personal, enriching your artistic practice.
Your career reflects a remarkable ability to excel in the structured, collaborative environment of game development while also cultivating a distinctive personal artistic voice. How do you compartmentalize or integrate these two creative paths, and in what ways do they complement or challenge each other?
I believe my career has provided an excellent platform for me to connect with a diverse range of highly skilled individuals in their respective fields. Engaging and learning from these people has helped me clarify my own artistic direction. Similarly, the knowledge and lessons I gain from personal projects allow me to secure better job opportunities. In this way, I see work and personal creation as complementary.
For artists, especially those of us involved in commercial projects, balancing both industry work and personal creation is essential. The industry’s commercial trends and technological innovations evolve rapidly, and staying engaged with both spheres helps us stay current and versatile in our craft.
Many of your personal projects exhibit themes of deep introspection and creative exploration. Could you provide insight into the origins of one of these projects? How do these endeavors allow you to experiment with ideas or techniques that might not fit into your professional work, and what do they mean to you personally?
As a Lead Environment Artist, my role involves creating and overseeing all aspects of playable game environments. In contrast, my personal projects are purely driven by my interests. I tend to create whatever I feel like, resulting in a portfolio with a diverse range of themes. I enjoy this approach because, as you know, the development of a commercial game is typically a lengthy process where you and your team may focus on a single theme for several years. This can sometimes lead to a sense of monotony, which is why I often explore different things in my personal work.
In my personal creations, I avoid repeating the same thing multiple times. Each project is an opportunity for reflection and improvement. For instance, early in my career, I was obsessed with adding as much detail as possible in my sculpting, as seen in this early piece ArtStation link. At that time, I believed that the more detailed a piece was, the better. However, I later realized that a successful sculpture isn't just about detail. Composition, dynamic effect, and silhouette are far more critical elements. Many people share this misconception because the education of 3D artists often emphasizes technical skills before design and aesthetics. As a result, many focus on achieving highly realistic PBR materials or detailed skin textures, overshadowing the design they aim to express. This approach leans more towards showcasing technical prowess rather than conveying a personal voice.
Reflecting on this, I shifted my focus in later works, such as this piece, where I minimized excessive detail and used simple geometric shapes to form the monster. The results were much more effective than before. However, it's still not my most satisfying work—or perhaps, I'll never reach a state of complete satisfaction. It's a lifelong journey of continuous improvement, where each step brings me closer to my ideal, even if that ideal is ever-evolving.
Having your art featured in globally significant venues such as Times Square and Red Dot Miami, as well as being published in respected art journals, is an extraordinary achievement. How have these milestones influenced your perspective as an artist, and what role do you believe public recognition plays in the evolution of an artist’s journey?
The role of an artist is inherently influential; every piece we create shapes our impact. However, the reverse is also true—an artist’s work can easily be swayed by popular culture and trends. Creating art that aligns with popular tastes can bring recognition and popularity, especially for newcomers. Yet, this path might lead artists to depend on these trends, steering their style towards mainstream preferences.
As a judge for competitions like Vivid Cube and a panelist at Lightbox Expo, you’ve taken on roles of leadership and mentorship in the 3D art community. What responsibilities do you feel come with these roles, and how do you approach providing constructive feedback or fostering inspiration among emerging artists?
When applying for awards or guest speaker roles, I often reflect on this issue. I’ve pondered whether I should submit works that fit current popular themes. Ultimately, I decided against it. If I aim to be a leader in this industry, I should remain true to my creative themes and principles. Winning competitions or becoming a judge means I will serve as a role model for emerging artists. My responsibility is to encourage others and set a positive example.
Your success as a 3D artist is both impressive and multifaceted, spanning renowned game projects and prestigious art showcases. What would you say were the pivotal moments, decisions, or habits that allowed you to achieve this level of success? How have you maintained consistency and growth in such a dynamic field?
I’m aware that in recent years, due to layoffs and economic downturns, many artists have faced difficult situations. Some believe that with tightened industry investment and the rise of AI, the future looks bleak. However, I maintain an optimistic outlook. I believe that soon, more people in the industry will recognize the uniqueness of human-created art—something that assembly line production cannot replace. At that point, artists will regain their rightful place in the industry. Rebuilding confidence is crucial, which is why I strive to inspire others by showcasing my work in public venues, reigniting the passion for creation.
The gaming industry and digital art landscapes are constantly advancing with new tools, technologies, and artistic trends. How do you stay informed and adapt to these changes, and how do you decide which trends or innovations to incorporate into your work?
I am currently working on a 3A game called Phantom Blade 0, which you might have heard of. Although it hasn't been released yet, its unique art style and cutting-edge technology have already garnered significant attention. This project excites me because it allows my team and me to constantly learn new software. As I mentioned in my response to the first question, the rapid development of new tools and technologies requires us to stay in continuous learning mode.
Given how quickly new technologies emerge, there are few people in the market who are thoroughly familiar with them. To address this, we dedicate several days each week to learning and mastering new tools and technologies. I’m grateful that our management encourages us to apply what we learn in our work. Our approach to developing this game is quite progressive; we're not following any traditional or conservative methods. We embrace the possibility of failure with new technologies, as making mistakes isn't something to fear. What matters most is maintaining a curiosity and eagerness to try new things.