About
Yiran Li
Yiran Li was born in Xi’an, China in 1994. She is a 2022 graduate from the University of Iowa with a Master of Fine Art degree in 3D Design. She found her interest in Furniture and Interior design when she was doing hands-on projects during her bachelor's study. Such interest motivates her to continue down the path. Li’s work uses geometric forms and draws inspiration from Chinese culture. She prefers to work with wood, occasionally combined with other sustainable material. Li’s work was selected for exhibition in numerous countries including the United States and Italy.
CV
Education
Master of Fine Arts in 3D Design
University of Iowa, 2018-2022
Master of Arts in 3D Design
University of Iowa, 2018-2022
Bachelor of Fine Arts/3D Design with Honor and High Distinction
University of Iowa, 2015-2018
Working Experience
Designer
Kari Whitman Interiors, February 2023 - Present
Design Assistant
RH Denver, June 2022 - February 2023
Research Assistant
University of Iowa 3D Design Program, August 2021 - May 2022
Teaching Assistant
University of Iowa 3D Design Program, August 2018 - May 2021
Design Intern
Frasch LLC, June - August 2020
ICRU (Iowa Center for Research by Undergraduates) Research Fellows
University of Iowa, Aug 2017 - May 2018
Graphic Design Intern
Pentacrest Museums, University of Iowa, July 2016 - December 2018
Honors and Awards
SIT Furniture Design Award 2023 Winner in Materials & Innovation 2023
Architecture & Design Collection Awards 2022 Gold Winner 2022
LIT Lighting Design Awards 2022 Winner 2022
SIT Furniture Design Award Honorable Mention 2020
Hu-Hung Shu Memorial Scholarship in 3 consecutive years 2019 - 2021
Honor and High Distinction with BFA degree, University of Iowa (Cross-listed in Education), 2018
President’s List 2017
Juried Group Exhibitions
Personal work selected to exhibit with University of Iowa 3D Design Program
SaloneSatellite | Salone del Mobile, Milan, Italy, 2022
Ventura Future, Milan, Italy, 2019, 2018
SOFA(Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design) CONNECT, Navy Pier, Chicago, IL
First place winner in 2019, Second place winner in 2018
ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair), Javits Center, New York, 2019, 2018, 2017
Group Exhibitions
Personal work selected to exhibit in a group exhibit
Figge Art Museum: Seating by Design, Davenport, IA, 2021
Published Work
Website Article
YIRAN LI (BFA ‘18, MA ‘20) SHARES HOW SHE DISCOVERED HER PASSION FOR 3D DESIGN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA, International Programs, March 3rd, 2021
https://international.uiowa.edu/news/yiran-li (Active on June 25, 2022)
O’Leary, Josh: “Form+Function+Furniture”, Iowa Magazine, June 3, 2019 (Cross-listed in Catalog/ Magazine)
https://magazine.foriowa.org/story.php?ed=true&storyid=1858 (Active on July 25, 2022)
Catalog/Magazine
Figge Art Museum: Seating by Design, curated by Monica Correia, p. 35, 69
Iowa Magazine, Cover, Summer 2019
O’Leary, Josh: “Form+Function+Furniture”, Iowa Magazine, Summer 2019, p. 30-39 (Cross-listed in Website Article)