Meet the Artist Behind Survive the Sound!

Anyone who has played Survive the Sound will instantly recognize the cast of colorful characters that help bring the game to life. These fun and adorable fish are an incredibly important part of the experience, giving players a way to bond and connect with salmon on a deep and personal level. Talking about environmental issues and salmon conservation can feel distant and abstract, but when you claim a cute fish as your own and then watch its migration get cut short by a hungry seal or polluted water, you suddenly have a reason to care.

When players first visit the game’s website, their first task is to pick their favorite fish from dozens of options. This is no easy task, since there truly is a fish for every occasion – we have outdoorsy fish like Mushy and Lilli, fish with puns and creative wordplay like Salmon Ella and Jacques TooSlow, and of course the classics like Rainbow or Sushi. Not to mention all of the fish that represent our supporters and local favorites, such as Pike Place Fish Market’s BackJack or Boeing’s Seven Fishy Seven. There are so many wonderful fish to choose from that we had to expand the size of the game for this year’s 10th anniversary celebration!

We recently connected with the talented illustrator behind these iconic Survive the Sound fish characters, learning all about her artistic process and how the game has grown over the past decade. Meet Jocelyn Li Langrand, children’s book author and illustrator extraordinaire:

LLTK: Thank you so much for talking with us, Jocelyn! To start things off, tell us about how you first got involved with Long Live the Kings and Survive the Sound.

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JLL: It started with an old colleague of mine who saw me posting illustrations on Instagram and asked how I’d feel about illustrating 42 salmon avatars. At the time I was working as a visual designer—this was my first illustration gig, and the one that launched an entirely new career.

LLTK: Did you have any connection to fish or salmon before this? How do you feel about salmon now that you’ve been involved with Survive the Sound for the past 10 years?

JLL: Before this, my only connection to salmon was the kind that involves a fork and a plate. Ten years later, it now involves a laptop, a Wacom pad, and a whole salmon community. I tell my friends in London proudly that I’ve contributed to the noble work of salmon sustainability in the Pacific Northwest, over dinner with a fork and plate.

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LLTK: What is your usual process for designing a fish? Has that process changed over the years?

JLL: The process is pretty consistent: I get a brief on the salmon, research the salmon, and draw the salmon — all on a Wacom padin Illustrator. I’ve since moved most of my illustration to an iPad, but I keep the Wacom for this project because it keeps the style consistent. 

After designing so many fish, I’ve built up quite a library of fins, body shapes, and features, so these days I can sometimes mix and match parts to build the base of a new character. And then make the most important creative decision: whether they get a smile,or not.

LLTK: You’ve designed over 100 different fish for Survive the Sound – do you have a favorite? Which one, and why?

JLL: Such a tough question, I’ve spent time with all of them and I love them all! But I’ll admit to having a soft spot for Arthur, an artist-painter salmon with a beanie. I feel very seen as a salmon.

LLTK: Do you have any ideas for a new Survive the Sound fish that has not been created yet? What would you like to see added to the game in the future?

JLL: Yes! I think the time is right for a unicorn salmon—a fierce dreamer, one that wants harmony and peace for all humanity. And my younger son Noé will be its number one fan. 

LLTK: Survive the Sound reaches over 30,000 players every year, and your art is a big part of what keeps people coming back for more. How does it feel to know that your work has helped so many people connect with and learn about salmon?

JLL: This is wild and hard to imagine from my little studio! When I first joined the project, I remember thinking what a creative way to get people aware of this meaningful work. Not everyone understands the struggle of a salmon making its way to the ocean, especially kids. But with a game? It’s genius! The brilliant people at LLTK came up with something truly special, the game survived not only the Sound, but the test of time. And I’m a little bit responsible for that, which makes me feel pretty brilliant too.

LLTK: Are there any other projects that you’re proud of and would like to share with the Survive the Sound community?

JLL: I’ve published two children’s books that I’m very proud of— IF YOU MISS ME, exploring the boundless power of love to help and heal, and YEAR OF THE CAT, written by Richard Ho, a retelling of the beloved Great Race of the Chinese Zodiac. I’m also currently working on a new one featuring a boy, a parrot, a cat, and a rocket. None of these wonderful projects would’ve happened without my friend’s slightly insane request for 42 salmon back in 2016. So thank you, Karen!

If you’ve enjoyed Jocelyn’s artwork in Survive the Sound, be sure to follow her on Instagram, visit her website, and check out her other amazing work. We are incredibly grateful for everything she has given to the game so far, and we can’t wait to see what wonderful fish she’ll cook up for us next year!