Hey there Dignitas fans! Maleok here with an another installment of Content Creator Spotlight! This week I had a chat with Riot featured fan artist Rin the Yordle! Rin has been involved since the early days of League of Legends and its community and has been featured several times on Riot official channels. In this particular chat we spoke about why she became an artist and how it is that she got involved with League of Legends! All work featured below is hers.

First and foremost why did you decide to do art originally?

Rin the Yordle: I decided to do art as a child. Remember being a little one watching TV and being inspired by Pokemon, DBZ, Sailor Moon, and more? I use to draw these things for my friends and they were enamored by it. I kept with it because of how interested they were with my work. About mid-way thought high school, I decided that this could actually be a career choice ,so I really put all my heart into it.

Secondly how did you initially get involved with league of legends?

Rin the Yordle: I was in a community about Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, actually. A few of my friends I made there were really heavy into League and got me to play. After one week and a free champion rotation later, I got to play Heimerdinger and instantly fell in love. The rest is history. I couldn't stop playing! I wanted to be the best Heimer ever and I adored all the yordles!

Secondly how did you initially get involved with league of legends?

Rin the Yordle: Heck yeah! Any time I have a spare moment, I try to hop on and shake the rust off! Especially if friends join me. I can't say no to a best buddy wanting to kick some butt... if I have time, that is. Haha!

What would you say your role in the community is, and what would you say you are above all else?

Rin the Yordle: I'm definitely a community artist. Maybe an "interactive community artist"? Like I said before, I love to draw for friends and all though I'm extremely busy with work, being able to put smiles on the communities face now and again by drawing their favorite champions really keeps me motivated. Also, I'm very interactive with said community. Around tumblr, I made an ask blog almost 4 years ago that would draw responses to other "champion" and "summoner" questions. It was very fun!

You stream on twitch fairly frequently do you use this as more of and outlet or as a business venture?

Rin the Yordle: Business and outlet! I can have fun and it helps market my work. I can show clients their work in progress, step by step, and have them critique the work on the fly instead of having to wait for responses through e-mail. It's very relaxing. Once I'm done with work, I can swap into art that I want, or even a game or two with the community. I guess I'm just one of the lucky ones where my job is also fun!

I'm aware that today you just did your first charity stream! How did that go and what gave you the idea to do something like this?

Rin the Yordle: I've had such an overwhelming amount of support since I became active with league of legends. I want to show that back to others in need as well. Not everyone has a chance to build up like I have, and I'm extremely lucky for this opportunity. Why not use that force that I have made to help someone else? Especially those who need it more than I?

Your art has been featured several times on riot official channels, how is it that they contact you about doing such things?

Rin the Yordle: It's pretty normal stuff, actually! A lot of them contact me through e-mail and twitter. We have a fairly regular conversation weekly even if it's mostly not work related. The Riot staff has always been really fantastic towards people dedicated to their game and who hold a passion it as well.

Obviously you have a passion for league of legends fanart, what has being featured by Riot done for you by way of exposure?

Rin the Yordle: A LOT. It gave me the opportunity to expand on my business, make more friends and networking and also keep my spirits up. The community in general has done so much for me, even if it's just being there to say hi on my stream or twitter. The comments keep me inspired. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for them. I might have even quit. I was going through some hard times and that exposure came at the best time possible to keep me going.

Do you get something out of creating art personally?

Rin the Yordle: So much. It allows me to express myself. To do the unimaginable. I have a fear of high places, but being able to draw Rin on her glider, zooming through the air with Heimer close by in a dirigible, or working hard at Piltover customs.. they all have a place in my heart that keeps my imagination vivid and keep my work interesting and inspiring.

Do you have a favorite art piece of yours, and if so why is it your favorite?

Rin the Yordle: Probably, as of right now, my newest "all the yordles" work. I had a lot of fun making that piece. It really pushed my rendering and how I wanted to portray each character in my own style. I've been working really hard self-teaching myself more illustration techniques, so I feel that piece I made really starts to show all my hard work.

What is your favorite part of the league of legends community?

Rin the Yordle: Why, the community itself! Look at how many talented, fantastic people there are! I've met chefs, artists, musicians, cosplayers and more! And even those who do "normal" work have turned out to be some of my best friends! I love the people I've met. It's opened me up to a lot of interested, wonderful people!

Do you see yourself being involved with the league of legends community for much longer?

Rin the Yordle: YES. As long as people want me around. I have way too much fun with these characters. I love my Rin, too. Yordles are kind of a part of me at this point. It'll be a while still before this game dies out and I don't see my flame dying out for it before that.

What is the best experience you have had with the community so far?

Rin the Yordle: The first time I got showcased was when I was at my worst mentally. I'll never forget that day. I had everyone on tumblr, twitter and more spamming me telling me they saw me on Summoner's Showcase. I watched it in awe and when I heard my name come up and Nika giggling over my work, I just burst into tears. Everyone was cheering me on that day. I'd play the game and people saw my name. I had never felt more appreciated in my life until then.

How well do you feel riot games supports its community?

Rin the Yordle: SO MUCH. Oh my gosh, it's the reason why I stay here! I've played a lot of games in my life, and the most I've felt like a community has supported until Riot came around was Ragnarok Online. Remember how they would hold contests and show off the work via loading screens if you won? That was really cool. Riot though suddenly took that to the next step.. or more invented the space ship to take its community to the moon. I mean, come on. They showcase just about EVERYONE who is passionate about their work and they keep trying to find more and more talented people to show off. THEY LOVE THEIR COMMUNITY. They love everyone who plays this game. It's so refreshing and wonderful! I love it!

And lastly, is there anything you would like to say to your fans and two people who may not have heard of you or seen your work yet?

Rin the Yordle: Well, to those who know me.. thank you for supporting me and giving me a chance. I'm still working hard and I hope you all will like my improvements! I love you all so much. For those of you who don't know me... HEHE, HI. I'M RIN. NICE TO MEET YOU. I'm energetic, crazy, fun and I like art, games and making friends. I hope to meet you soon and if you have any questions, feel free to come say hi! I'm trying to do more for this community, aspiring artists and fanatics alike, so let's keep it classy and keep rocking it!

Thank you Rin for taking time to chat with us! If you haven't seen her work before please check out her deviantart. Be sure to follow her twitter and twitch if you like what you see.

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