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

Alright, Zifei thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I believe that an indispensable element for the realization of goals is the ability to adapt to change. No matter how well I plan, unexpected challenges and shifts in circumstances are inevitable.

I once took a course that felt incredibly important to me, and I wanted to create a standout project—something I could be proud of throughout my academic career. I was determined to make everything perfect from the start and avoid any setbacks. Of course, that didn’t go as planned. My project was to design a new visual system for a fashion week, but right from the beginning, I got stuck focusing too much on the idea of the logo, which ended up limiting my creativity.

Time was tight for the project, but by week five, I was still working on the logo. This was obviously holding up the rest of the visual system development. Since I couldn’t push back the deadlines, I had to rethink my schedule and shift focus to other parts of the project to keep things moving. Since my logo was based on a custom typeface, I decided to combine the development of both. I worked on the alphabet while refining the logo, tweaking them side by side. This approach also allowed me to test different typographic possibilities as I went. As a result, I was able to create more visual options for the poster design at the same time. Eventually I was able to pick up the pace and get up to speed over the next two weeks and finish the project.

This experience showed me that how we respond to challenges, maintain faith in our goals, and stay open to self-improvement plays a big role in shaping the outcome. It also pushed me to keep learning and refining my process, ensuring I stay focused on my purpose and consistent in my efforts.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a graphic designer specializing in brand visual systems. But I also skill in large scale environmental installation design, generative art design, typography and book design. I love learning new techniques and exploring uncharted territory. I’m grateful I chose the path of design—it’s been one of the finest decisions of my life. I have endless opportunities to wander through the unknown, experiment with ideas, and learn things I didn’t know. I believe that, like a good cook, a designer must also be attuned to the subtleties of the craft. A designer reads the client’s unspoken desires, balancing aesthetics and function, much like a chef balances flavors. Design, like cooking, transcends the mere creation of a dish or a product—it is a journey to understand, connect, and leave a lasting impression.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I’m driven by the desire to explore and the need to express. Time may be limited, but I’m eager to discover just how far I can push my boundaries. I challenge myself to master new skills and tools, and it’s this pursuit of excellence that fuels my journey forward.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I once lived for the outcome, driven by grand expectations of the final destination of a difficult and tortuous process. I thought joy was often hidden in the endings of finding new paths and kindred souls, though these journeys were not easy. But I found no happiness in this relentless pursuit.

For a while, I was a little lost, so I went and read a series of books by Camus. One of them, La mort heureuse (A Happy Death) inspired me a lot. I understood that many of us misstep in believing happiness is tied to choices and conditions, mistakenly thinking it requires leaving behind places and people. I understand, yet I continually learn that true fulfillment lies not in sacrifice, but in embracing the present moment with an open heart. Being grateful is a very difficult thing to do, like getting used to breathing. But each breath is a delicate reminder, a silent proof that the fire of life still burns bright within us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zifeiding.myportfolio.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zifei-ding-20b3a8222