EP 17: Crafting Worlds: Senior Set Designer Yihong Ding's Story from Shanghai to Hollywood

In this episode of 'Up and Comers of Hollywood,' we sit down with Yihong Ding, a graduate of the American Film Institute and a senior set designer with the Art Directors Guild (ADG). From her beginnings in Shanghai to her education in London and eventual move to Los Angeles, Yihong shares her inspiring journey. She discusses her work on major productions like 'The Orville,' 'Star Trek: Picard,' and Zack Snyder’s 'Rebel Moon,' and provides insights into the vital role the art department plays in storytelling. Yihong's technical expertise evolved alongside her career. She started with SketchUp for set modeling but made a significant shift to Rhino in 2021, greatly enhancing her precision and versatility in design. Her mastery of Rhino was recognized by AFI, where she returned as an instructor, teaching concept modeling to up-and-coming filmmakers. Learn about the challenges, the artistic process, and the industry dynamics that shape a set designer’s career. Don't miss this deep dive into the life and work of an industry master. Subscribe and stay tuned for more inspiring stories!

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm6486602/
Website: https://www.yihongding.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yihong-ding-82a3272b/
Book Recommendation:
What an Art Director Does: https://www.amazon.com/What-Art-Director-Does-Introduction/dp/1879505185
AFI: https://conservatory.afi.com/conservatory-capture/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=editing&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAACrVlIfGwj5coWpef_5bJawoeXKsT&gclid=CjwKCAiAjKu6Bh

Chapters

• 0:22 Meet YiHong Ding: Journey to Los Angeles
• 1:13 Early Inspirations and Education
• 5:10 Breaking into the Industry
• 8:40 Role and Structure of the Art Department
• 14:21 Challenges and Networking in the Industry
• 24:40 Current Projects and Future Plans
• 25:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts