Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wenyue Xu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Wenyue, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

An experimental publication: One After Another.

The publication is a chain story written by me and forty-nine random people in New York City. It began with a simple premise: I would write the first sentence, the definition of unexpectedness, and the next person would read the previous sentence and continue the story by writing one more sentence. The experiment was conducted in different places in New York, including Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. The participants were diverse and the direction of the story unexpected. I then printed out the sentences and displayed them in various locations at Pratt Institute, starting from the main gate. People who visited the campus could read the story and have an unexpected experience. In this vibrant city, the diversity of its inhabitants—spanning across different genders, races, and ages—comes together in a remarkable and innovative manner. The city’s unique blend of creativity fosters connections that transcend traditional boundaries. through the collaborative publication project, people from all walks of life find themselves united in a shared sense of purpose and imagination. This creative synergy not only enhances the city’s cultural fabric but also strengthens the sense of community among its residents.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a NYC based graphic designer and creative thinker with 5+ years of experience spanning creative agencies, in-house roles, NGO engagements, and freelance projects with global clients. My passion lies in crafting compelling brand identities, innovative packaging designs, and impactful environmental graphics.

Since graduating from Pratt Institute with a degree in Communication Design, I have been working as a packaging designer specializing in the apparel sector. My strength is to deliver eye-catching and practical packaging solutions that merge creativity with industry insight. My approach emphasizes a balance of aesthetics, durability, and functionality, ensuring that each design not only appeals to the target audience but also strengthens brand identity and boosts market presence. My packaging solutions are crafted to be as stylish as the apparel they encase, enhancing both the product and the overall consumer experience.

I look forward to creating more interesting designs that are not only bring hope and excitement to people’s lives but can take social responsibility.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When seeking design inspiration, it’s crucial to look beyond digital design platforms and online portfolios. Step outside and fully engage with your surroundings. Inspiration often emerges from the everyday experiences of life, the natural world, and unexpected places. Whether it’s a walk through a park, a visit to a bustling market, or simply observing the colors and patterns in your environment, these real-world experiences can spark creativity and offer fresh perspectives. Directly connecting with the environment can expose you to a broader, more varied array of ideas, significantly enriching and enhancing your design work. The most profound and original inspiration often comes from the simple, unplanned encounters that life has to offer.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Break things down

I was invited to create a packaging design for a new skincare product. The project kicked off with excitement, but things quickly started to spiral out of control. Instead of defining a clear and concise concept, I incorporate的、 every possible feature they could think of to make the packaging stand out. But none of the options met all their requirements perfectly. As a result, I had to revise the design multiple times, each iteration adding another layer of complexity.

When the final product was completed, it was undeniably impressive but also excessively elaborate. The packaging ended up being so complex that it overshadowed the product itself. The project was a cautionary tale of how overcomplicating a design can lead to unforeseen challenges and diminished returns. I learned a valuable lesson about balancing creativity with practicality, understanding that sometimes simplicity can be the key to achieving a truly effective and elegant design.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://xuwenyue.co
• Instagram: designer.demi
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wenyue726/

Image Credits

3rd image (Female Founder Retreat Event) by Brianna Broyles