I’m an illustrator, designer, and arts educator based in London, working across illustration, graphic design, and community-focused creative education. I enjoy creating engaging visual content—from artwork and promotional assets to workshop materials—and I’m equally comfortable communicating with different audiences, managing projects end-to-end, and presenting ideas clearly. Alongside my creative practice, I teach and mentor in both studio and online settings, adapting activities for children and adults of different abilities. Through roles in education, freelance illustration, and marketing support, I’ve built experience in social media and website content, event and fair participation, and delivering hands-on learning experiences that help people build confidence and develop their own creative skills.…

Mengya Li

I’m an illustrator, designer, and arts educator based in London, working across illustration, graphic design, and community-focused creative education. I enjoy creating engaging visual content—from artwork and promotional assets to workshop materials—and I’m equally comfortable communicating with different audiences, managing projects end-to-end, and presenting ideas clearly. Alongside my creative practice, I teach and mentor in both studio and online settings, adapting activities for children and adults of different abilities. Through roles in education, freelance illustration, and marketing support, I’ve built experience in social media and website content, event and fair participation, and delivering hands-on learning experiences that help people build confidence and develop their own creative skills.…

Available to hire

I’m an illustrator, designer, and arts educator based in London, working across illustration, graphic design, and community-focused creative education. I enjoy creating engaging visual content—from artwork and promotional assets to workshop materials—and I’m equally comfortable communicating with different audiences, managing projects end-to-end, and presenting ideas clearly.

Alongside my creative practice, I teach and mentor in both studio and online settings, adapting activities for children and adults of different abilities. Through roles in education, freelance illustration, and marketing support, I’ve built experience in social media and website content, event and fair participation, and delivering hands-on learning experiences that help people build confidence and develop their own creative skills.

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Language

Chinese
Fluent
English
Advanced

Work Experience

Procreate Art Mentor
January 1, 2026 - Present
Provide one-to-one mentoring in Procreate for an illustration student. Teach digital drawing fundamentals including shape simplification, composition, colour, and visual development. Adapt lessons to the student’s interests and goals and provide practical feedback to support independent progress.
Creative Educator & Marketing Support at The Slightly Curious Studio
January 1, 2026 - Present
Teach creative activities to children and support the development of engaging learning experiences. Create promotional content for classes and studio activities. Support communication and day-to-day creative projects.
Workshop Designer and Organiser at Feminist Library
January 1, 2026 - Present
Invited to design and organise a workshop centred on the themes of identity, body, and nature.
Teacher, Technician & Marketing at Ceramics Classes London
January 1, 2025 - Present
Create and manage social media content to promote classes, workshops and studio activities. Support website updates, digital marketing and online communications. Teach ceramics to children and adults, adapting activities to different ages and abilities. Support workshops, events and the studio’s participation in art fairs. Handle customer enquiries and support day-to-day administration and scheduling.
Graphic Designer at East London Waterworks Park
January 1, 2024 - Present
Developed visual identity and presentation materials, including briefs and flyers, as well as workshop visual frameworks and spatial communication graphics. Collaborated with team members to translate ecological concepts into accessible public-facing visuals.
Designer at Dongxing Group
May 1, 2023 - October 1, 2023
Designed a traditional Chinese Jade Screen (6 m x 7 m).
Designer and Marketing at Gamurai Game Store
November 1, 2022 - September 1, 2024
Designed promotional materials for events and products, including posters, flyers, and social media visuals. Managed official social media accounts, assisted customers with game recommendations, and supported store opening, closing, and cleanliness procedures.
Volunteer Art Teacher at Xiamen Special Education School
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Taught basic drawing and craft skills to students who use hearing aids and provided one-to-one support to help students complete their artwork.
Curriculum Developer and Teaching Assistant at Xiamen University
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024
Co-developed syllabuses and lesson plans for university-level art courses and gained practical experience designing course structures and learning outcomes.
Freelance Illustrator, Designer & Creative Practitioner at Freelance
December 16, 2021 - Present
Develop illustration, graphic design and digital artwork for personal, exhibition and commercial projects. Manage social media presence and create visual content to promote artwork, events and creative projects. Build and maintain an online portfolio and manage content across digital platforms. Regularly participate in art fairs, exhibitions and workshops, managing artwork preparation, presentation and communication with organisers and customers. Deliver creative workshops in community and festival settings, including Feminist Library and Wilderness Festival.
Exhibition Merchandise Designer at Zhengzhou Museum (Touring Exhibition)
December 1, 2021 - October 1, 2023
Developed exhibition merchandise for the international touring exhibition Civilizations of Great Rivers, including keychains, notebooks, tote bags, and pillows. Designed contemporary products inspired by artefacts from participating museums in China and Europe.
Cultural and Creative Designer at Xiamen Museum
December 1, 2021 - October 1, 2023
Designed cultural and creative products related to Chinese historic figures and cultural symbol elements; participated in the product design for a cultural relics exhibition, the “River Civilization” tour.
Designer and Manager for the University Blog at Xiamen University
October 1, 2021 - September 1, 2023
Designed the IP images and creative products; strengthened collaboration skills through managing a 35-person team, controlled the content and quality of operations, and adjusted the overall operational style; enhanced communication skills through the promotion of the blog and delivered live broadcasts; planned activities and gathered funds from sponsors.
Designer at Sunshine Psychological Station
May 1, 2021 - June 1, 2023
Designed typography for the official blog; designed postcards and colored drawings for mental health topics.
Cultural & Creative Designer at Xiamen Museum
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023
Designed cultural and creative products inspired by Chinese history, traditional culture and museum collections. Contributed to product development for the “River Civilization” cultural heritage exhibition.
Designer & Manager, University Blog at Xiamen University
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2024
Led a 35-person creative team producing visual and editorial content for the university blog. Designed digital graphics, IP characters and promotional materials. Planned campaigns, events and live content and coordinated communication across the team. Managed content quality and adapted the visual direction of the platform.
Workshop Lead at Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Society, Xiamen University
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2023
Independently planned and hosted multiple Chinese painting and calligraphy workshops; demonstrated flexible, creative teaching to students from diverse backgrounds.

Education

Master of Arts (MA), Illustration at University of Arts London
September 1, 2024 - November 1, 2025
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Painting at Xiamen University
September 1, 2020 - June 1, 2023
Master of Arts (MA), Illustration at University of Arts London
September 1, 2024 - November 1, 2025
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Painting at Xiamen University
September 1, 2020 - June 1, 2024
Master of Arts (MA), Illustration at University of Arts London
September 1, 2024 - November 1, 2025
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Painting at Xiamen University
September 1, 2020 - June 1, 2024
Master of Arts (MA), Illustration at University of Arts London
September 1, 2024 - November 1, 2025
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Painting at Xiamen University
September 1, 2020 - June 1, 2025
MA Illustration at University of the Arts London — Camberwell College of Arts
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
BA Painting at Xiamen University
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2024
MA Illustration at University of the Arts London — Camberwell College of Arts
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
BA Painting at Xiamen University
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2024

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Professional Services, Other, Retail, Gaming