Yui Tsutsumi
BVSc (Hons)
Core role Features
quick fire overview.
salary
Salary from illustrations/pattern design is currently not much yet. I also work full-time hours as a vet. Under £15k.
travel & flexibility
Around 15 per week.
Values
Creativity, independence.
region/location
UK
essential skills
Being creative, being open-minded, being persistent.
contact
After graduating, I worked as a small animal general practitioner in a 24hr veterinary hospital for 3years in Australia. I did enjoy a high caseload and learnt how to organise a day shuffling multiple cases. As I developed a special interest in exotic pet medicine, I decided to move to the UK to get more exposure to exotic cases. I worked in a busy hospital as both GP and exotics vet, then worked as a locum around London.
I grew up in Japan, where it’s not uncommon for people to work in the same company for a whole carrier life, and that was no exception for my family. Since I was young, I have always wanted to be a vet and moved to Australia to get a vet degree. So, somewhere in my mind, I always felt I should put my 100% into my vet career. I spent my day-offs visiting specialist hospitals and doing webinars or studying for further qualifications. But I burned out a bit.
So I started locuming and met vets who were also studying or working in something completely unrelated to vet, and talking to them was an eye-opening experience for me. During the initial covid lockdown in Australia, I started posting my illustrations to Instagram and print-on-demand online shops. Illustrations evolved to pattern designs, and thanks to the online community, including VSGD, I met amazing humans who helped me get where I am.
I’m still an amateur in this industry and in the learning process, but there are lots of online courses available. As long as you keep open-minded, you can learn and get inspiration from literally anything.
“I think persistence is the key. I enjoy working in two completely different fields and using a different part of my brain, and I think it benefits both sides.”
— Yui Tsutsumi
Getting lost in time doing something I like doing. When I get positive feedback or even just imagine my art is in someone’s house or at work, it makes me so happy. Also, funny enough, I enjoy my vet work better by seeing the positive sides – being able to see and treat cute models every day and having stable incomes.
It currently varies a bit. I take photos or notes whenever ideas pop in my mind, and drawing usually happens at night before going to bed or on my day-offs.
Anyone who enjoys creating and has persistence.
Once I realised that it’s ok not to be vet 24/7, there was no barrier. Financially, I still work full-time hours as a vet to support myself.
Recognise what you enjoy, how you are different from others and start telling people where you imagine yourself be in the future
I am glad that I got brave one day and made a post on the VSGD Facebook Group last year – without support from the community, I wouldn’t have realised people like what I do, and there might be a potential for me to pursue. THANK YOU!!
I’m still learning as well, but I think persistence is the key. I enjoy working in two completely different fields and using a different part of my brain, and I think it benefits both sides.