I'm a Artist/Programmer/Designer
- Name: Xiangyi "Jessica" Li
- Major: Computational Media
- Graduation: May 2025
- Residence: Atlanta
- Hometown: Shanghai
Hi, I am Jessica! I'm a rising junior at Georgia Institute of Technology, studying Computational Media with a concentration in Game and Media. My focus areas are game development, technical art, and digital art.
I initially joined Georgia Tech with a major in Physics. Driven by curiosity about the world, I spent my high school years and the first two years of college deeply engaged in studying physics, reading philosophy, and participating in various science competitions. However, there came a day when I realized I could not endure a life without creating art and expressing myself. Thus, decisively, in my sophomore year, I switched my major to Computational Media, reclaiming the art I had set aside in high school for academic pursuits. In this fascinating interdisciplinary field, my scientific mindset and my passion for art have merged together. I aspire to one day enter the film or gaming industry, where I can use my technical skills and creativity to produce meaningful artistic works that I believe in.
What I Love
Film
I love to watch films! My favorite directors are David Lynch, Satoshi Kon, Lee Chang-dong, and Akira Kurosawa.
Games
I love indie games and wish to become an indie game developer in the future. My favorite games are Katana Zero, Disco Elysium, and Outer Wilds.
Physics
I love about reading frontier physics and hardcore sci-fi literature. These subjects provide me with a continuous stream of inspiration.
My Works
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3D Game Project
XLR-Raiders (In Progress)
2023 3D Game Project Unreal Engine 5 Photoshop ZBrush Maya XLR-Raiders is a fast pace multiplayer TPS game, where the damage output is solely based on character movespeed. Currently under development, my primary roles include character and technical art. I crafted character designs in Photoshop, modeled them in ZBrush, rigged in Maya, and integrated everything into the Unreal Engine. Additionally, I developed a cartoon-style shader for rendering in Unreal. Below are screenshots showcasing the character design and modeling progress:
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Computer Graphics Project
Sunset on Shanghai Line 4
2024 Individual Project C++ GLSL This project, written in C++ and GLSL, utilizes only the fragment shader to "draw" the Shanghai skyline under a warm sunset. It serves as practice for honing my code-writing skills in GLSL. It fulfills my dream of conceptualizing visuals in my mind and then bringing them to life by painting with code. This inspiration comes from my high school years when I would take the subway from school back home. In winter, I could see the Shanghai skyline accompanied by the most beautiful sunsets. The subway and the city have become important motifs in my creative work. It also have animation. Click here to watch the video!
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3D Game Project
Equinox
2023 VG Dev Club Project Unity3D Photoshop Blender Procreate Equinox was developed in collaboration with the VG Dev Club. It is a 3D exploration adventure game where players use a grappling hook to navigate through space and repair a spaceship. Developed using Unity3D, I had the opportunity to lead the art team. My contributions included creating concept art, producing both 2D and 3D assets, and integrating these elements into the game using C#. Additionally, I engaged in technical artistry to enhance both the visual and functional aspects of the game. This was my first involvement in a 3D game, through which I learned the pipeline for 3D assets and general game art techniques. More Information.
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3D Game Project
SkyLei
2023 VG Dev Club Project C++ Photoshop Blender Procreate SkyLei, a speed-running game, was developed in collaboration with the VG Dev Club and is powered by a bespoke 3D game engine, Lei3D. My contributions include the development of procedural generation tools for creating dynamic surf tracks, as well as undertaking 3D modeling, designing the Splash Screen Art, and developing the Skybox. The project is currently in progress. For a sneak peek, click here to watch the trailer.
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Individual Artwork
The World
2023 Individual Artwork Photoshop Blender This artwork represents the culmination of a semester's research into Jia Zhangke's films, with a particular emphasis on the movie "The World". It was crafted using Photoshop and Blender; the characters and the view outside the window were drawn in Photoshop, while the train and lighting were created using Blender. After a semester-long study with Dr. Amanda Weiss, I found myself deeply moved by Jia Zhangke's depiction of early 2000s China. My areas of interest—transportation, transformation, urbanization, and surrealism—found a resonance in "The World", making it an emotional catalyst for the creation of this piece.
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Individual Artwork
Untitled
2022 Individual Artwork Procreate This piece was created using Procreate, drawing inspiration from one of my favorite genres: samurai. My fascination with samurai movies, games, and mangas has always been a source of inspiration. Through self-study, I learned human anatomy in drawing, and this artwork serves as the culmination of my learning.
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Individual 3D Project
Blender Subway Project
2023 Individual Project Blender Photoshop This was a class assignment where we create comics using Blender. Inspired by my interest with subways and thriller movies, I decided to create a comic about a girl trapped in an infinite subway. This is the first page of the comic, with additional pages currently under development. I modeled all the assets for this project and particularly enjoyed modeling the subway, which is a 1:1 model of the oldest version of Line 1 subway in Shanghai. For the first time, I also attempted character modeling using 3D Max, then applied fabric simulation in Blender to create the clothing. Additionally, I developed a geometry node tool for creating hair.
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Collaborative Duo Game Project
Rail Transit Line 4
2023 Collaborative Duo Project Unity3D Blender Photoshop After Effects This Unity 3D puzzle game was developed in collaboration with my friend, Will. In the game, you find yourself trapped in an infinite subway, searching for a way out. Throughout this journey, you come to realize that you are in a coma after a suicide attempt and find a reason to live within the confines of the subway. The game is still incomplete, as it was intended to have multiple endings, but currently, only one has been developed. The game is inspired by the life of Xu Lizhi, one of my favorite poets. He was known as a migrant worker on the assembly line at Foxconn and a poet who tragically took his own life at the age of 24. This game is created to honor him and all the lower-class laborers. One of the most enjoyable parts of this project was creating the illusion of an infinite subway in Unity, achieved through teleportation and shaders to give the impression of being trapped in the subway. I also greatly enjoyed creating the 3D assets for the game, as well as producing cutscenes and the scenery outside the windows using After Effects. Here is a video of playthrough.
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Game Jam Project
Grin And Gas
2024 Global Game Jam Project Unity2D Photoshop This game was developed during the 2024 Global Game Jam competition, completed within 48 hours. This year, the theme was "Make Me Laugh". It was created using Unity2D in a team of 5, and my primary role was in art. It won the "Best Use of Theme" award out of 107 participants.Play it here!
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Individual Game Project
Game Boy Advance Project - Distant Afternoon
2023 Individual Project C Photoshop This is a puzzle game developed in C, designed to run on a Game Boy Advance (GBA) console. Driven by the nostalgic charm of the GBA console, I aim to create a unique, core surreal puzzle game—a genre not typically associated with GBA games. In this game, players find themselves lost in an old Chinese mall, tasked with finding an escape route while being pursued by a monster. The setting and puzzles draw inspiration from David Lynch's films, blending them with my own childhood memories to craft a distinctive and immersive experience.Here is a demo video.
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Software
Xing
2022 - Current Startup Project JavaScript WebGL Python Xing is a sophisticated web-based, cross-platform drawing application that leverages advanced Artificial Intelligence Generated Content (AIGC) algorithms to empower artists in their creative processes. As the lead architect behind these AI algorithms, I played a pivotal role in steering Xing's technological direction. Collaborating intimately with multidisciplinary teams, I translated complex business objectives into innovative AI-centric solutions. Beyond my focus on AI, I made significant contributions to the broader software development efforts, crafting essential features such as intuitive drawing tools, precise selection mechanisms, a versatile layer system, dynamic filters, and a comprehensive 3D editor, all through the adept use of JavaScript and WebGL. My involvement was also critical in strategic business planning and the formulation of growth strategies, which were instrumental in securing vital seed funding for the project. Currently, Xing is in the alpha testing phase, with ambitious plans to initiate beta testing by May 2024.
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Individual Artwork
Cyberpunk Fan Art
2022 Individual Artwork Procreate Fan Art for the Anime Cyberpunk:Edgerunners. Created using Procreate.
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Individual Artwork
CSSA Merchandise Design
2021 Individual Artwork Photoshop This illustration was created for the GT CSSA - Chinese Student Scholars Association, using Photoshop to emulate the traditional Chinese painting style. It features the yellow jacket, a symbol of Gatech, with the Cherokee Rose, the Georgia state flower. This artwork has been printed on mug cups and tote bags sold by CSSA.
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Individual Artwork
Album Cover Design
2019 Individual Artwork Photoshop Daz3D Cinema 4D This album cover was designed for Ptahh's first music album, "夏のホワイト·ノイズ" (Summer White Noise). It was created using Daz3D, Cinema 4D, and Photoshop. You can listen to the album here!
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Individual Artwork
Poster
2019 Individual Artwork Photoshop Daz3D Cinema 4D Marvelous Designer This poster was designed for a high school poster competition representing my house. It was created using Photoshop, Daz3D, Cinema 4D, and Marvelous Designer. It was awarded first prize that year.
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Individual Artwork
Untitled
2020 Individual Artwork Photoshop This is a piece I did in high school just for fun :D