About

Victoria Ying is a critically acclaimed author and artist living in Los Angeles.  She started her career in the arts by falling in love with comic books, this eventually turned into a career working in animation and graphic novels. She loves Japanese Curry, putting things in her shopping cart online and taking them out again and hanging out with her husband and cat, Bandito. Her film credits include Tangled, Wreck it Ralph, Frozen, Paperman, Big Hero 6, and Moana. She is the author and illustrator of her own series “City of Secrets and City of Illusion” as well as the Marvel/Scholastic “Shang-Chi and the secret of Immortality” and the illustrator of the DC series “Diana Princess of the Amazons.” Her YA debut “Hungry Ghost” was the recipient of the Harvey Award for best YA/Children’s Graphic Novel in 2023.

Find her on instagram @victoriaying and twitter @victoriaying and tiktok @artofvictoriaying

HUNGRY GHOST NOW AVAILABLE!

Valerie Chu is quiet, studious, and above all, thin. No one, not even her best friend, Jordan, knows that she has been bingeing and purging for years. But when tragedy strikes, Val finds herself reassessing her priorities, her choices, and her body. The path to happiness may lead her away from her hometown and her mother’s toxic projections—but first she will have to find the strength to seek help.

This beautiful and heart-wrenching young adult graphic novel takes a look at eating disorders, family dynamics, and ultimately, a journey to self-love

CITY OF ILLUSION

Read the follow-up to the action-packed adventure that Dan Santat called "An-edge-of-your-seat thriller!"

It's been a peaceful three months since Hannah Morgan and Ever Barnes saved their beloved Oskars, and activated the powers of their city's Megantic. Ever now lives with the Morgan family and the two children watch over and learn more about Oskar (the Megantic) every day.

But their conflict-free days come to an abrupt end when Mr. Morgan is captured while on a family trip to nearby Alexios, and the kids get into a spat with a group of street magicians who con Hannah out of her pocket money. Chifa and Tanan were never planning to make friends while performing their tricks, but when Hannah and Ever learn of their connection to Vash, they realize there's much more at stake than a few coins.

If Hannah and Ever want to find out what Vash is hiding and save both Oskars and Alexios before time runs out, they'll have to learn to trust Chifa and Tanan, and most importantly, find a way to work together.

CITY OF SECRETS

Can one boy keep a secret–and save a whole city? An action-packed read for middle-grade fantasy and graphic novel fans!

Ever Barnes is a shy orphan who lives in a puzzle-box building (think an architectural Transformer) that is also a multi level switchboard center, the communications hub of his city. He’s the last of a family that’s guarded a precious safe–contents unknown–for generations. All Ever knows is that what’s in that safe protects the city and that his father was killed because he wouldn’t give up the secret of the safe.

Ever is resigned to living on his own in the swtichboard building, where he knows every nook and cranny, and all the cranks and levers that operate the complicated complex. Some of the nicer young women who work there give him food on the sly. He’s got his job: stay out of sight and protect the safe hidden deep in the maze of the building. Ever is the only one who knows about it. Or is he?

Ever’s lonely existence is upended by when Hannah, the daughter of the building’s owner, shows up and spots the orphan in hiding. Hannah is determined to befriend Ever. His avoidance and her pursuit set off an unexpected series of events. Two things quickly become very clear: someone else knows Ever’s secret and wants in on it. And having a friend is a very good thing when a whole whole evil goon squad is after you!

As artists, our sole job is to communicate visually.

But visual communication is more complicated than it sounds, and yet not. In this introduction to Visual Development, I will focus on principles of design and give you an overview of the skills needed for effective visual communication, especially as it applies to the entertainment industry. I will cover the basics of design thinking, character design, color theory, and perspective, and share with you tips and techniques that I personally use in my own work.

Through this class, you will learn the fundamentals you will need to launch and advance your career as a visual development artist.

No matter your skill level, these lessons in design thinking will influence every decision, from the seed of your idea to your finished project, and help you work confidently and efficiently.