We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Twyla Wang a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Twyla, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Opensourceism
The most meaningful project for me is Opensourceism, which I founded 2 years ago. The core philosophy of Opensourceism as a brand is to oppose information monopolies, encourage people to break free from information cocoons, and promote equal information sharing, thereby truly advancing the democratization of information.
Sunstein vividly describes the “DailyMe” phenomenon in his book Republic.com. In an era of information explosion, the refinement of big data operations, algorithmic guidance under capitalism, and excessive individual information selectivity create an illusion of greater democracy, freedom, and efficiency. However, beneath this illusion lies the silent emergence of information silos, leading to the self-imposed isolation––also known as “information cocoon”––which poses a potential threat to democracy. People can customize their news sources, filtering out information they don’t like and only consuming content that aligns with their views. When individuals remain trapped in their self-constructed information cocoons for long periods, their lives gradually become formulaic and mechanized.
In response to the growing recognition that capitalism’s profit-driven approach to information dissemination and the increasingly narrow information cocoons no longer meet the needs of the new era, Opensourceism was founded.
Derived from the concept of “Open Source” in network protocols, Opensourceism fosters an open-minded approach to information by innovative design and interactive experiences. It aims to empower individuals to act as both watchdogs of internet platforms and advocates for information equality, ultimately promoting more rational and balanced social discourse.
In Opensourceism’s brand packaging design, the combination of traditional newspapers and modern food packaging is a unique and creative attempt. In the digital age, paper media is gradually fading away. However, the indiscriminate distribution of information and the near-zero cost of information access from the print media era remain invaluable concepts that should be preserved.
By integrating newspaper design with food packaging, we breathe new life into both. Consumers, while purchasing everyday food items, not only enjoy the product itself but also gain insight into Opensourceism’s brand manifesto and current events related to breaking information cocoons through the packaging.
Furthermore, the incorporation of the bold typography layout of the newspaper, which uses typography to create graphics, poses a striking visual impact. This innovative approach breaks the traditional single-purpose role of packaging, transforming it into a new medium for spreading the brand’s philosophy.
This project was the first time I deeply reflected on the cultural structure of a society and the impact of ideology on people’s thinking; it made me truly connect aesthetics with social functionality; It made me learn how to visualize abstract concepts; It made me understand the pathways and channels to embed a brand’s philosophy deeply into people’s minds; It shaped my formation process from thoughts to ideation to execution completely.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I love combining illustrations with motion effects to bring more vivid energy to the still graphic world.
I enjoy filling my work with vibrant colors, bringing joy, warmth, and healing to everyone who sees my illustrations.
I like taking a user-oriented approach, integrating market strategy to maximize the visual impact and benefits for clients.
Now I work at designarmy as a designer. This is a full-service, design-centric agency specializing in fashion, beauty, dance arts, and internet companies that think differently. We dream, strategize, plan, devise, create, and communicate through the specialized lens of design.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’ve always been focused on graphic design from the beginning, and it seemed like my path was set in stone. However, before fully committing to this direction, I explored a variety of fields during college, which gave me a broader perspective and helped me realize how diverse the creative industry is. Within graphic design itself, I discovered that there are many different specializations to consider.
Initially, I worked at a medium-to-large studio where everyone had clearly defined roles—motion designers focused solely on motion, and graphic designers concentrated on static designs. This setup encouraged deep specialization, which helped me hone my skills in one specific area. However, after gaining this experience, I transitioned to a smaller studio where versatility was key. Here, everyone wore multiple hats, but you still had to be an expert in at least one area to stand out. This experience taught me the value of being a “T-shaped” professional: having broad knowledge and expertise in one core area. My creative director appreciated my diverse skill set, which reaffirmed my belief in the importance of developing both specialized and cross-disciplinary skills.
I’ve also realized that no experience is ever wasted. In addition to design, I’ve explored other areas to expand my abilities. For instance, I briefly ventured into sales, which taught me the importance of user-oriented thinking and how to create visuals that resonate with the audience. I’ve always had a passion for drawing, so I began integrating illustrations into branding and video content, combining my artistic side with my design expertise. Additionally, I’ve learned motion graphics, which allows me to infuse my designs with a unique personality and create something truly dynamic.
Ultimately, each step has added value to my creative journey, and I’ve embraced every opportunity to learn, grow, and pivot as needed.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
1. The world increasingly values cross-disciplinary skills, and your non-creative background can bring fresh perspectives to aesthetics and design. If you’re a programmer, you can integrate design with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to create stunning web experiences. If you’re from the finance or economics sector, you have expertise in market strategy and user personas—insights that can shape art direction from a customer-centric perspective. No experience is a waste.
2. Develop the habit of analyzing successful advertising campaigns and branding cases. Make it a routine to curate aesthetic references—for example, by creating different collections on Instagram—and reflect on why certain colors, fonts, logos, and layouts were used. Design is a field that thrives on accumulated experience; the more you observe, the more design elements you can draw upon, and the more agile your creative thinking will become.
3. The best time to start is always now. AI is rapidly transforming every industry, including design. Today, nearly every designer is learning AI because it can boost efficiency by 50%. For beginners, there is no “sunk cost” in learning outdated methods—making it a great opportunity to leap ahead. AI can now generate images, create logos, and even bring static visuals to life, opening up endless creative possibilities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://twylawang.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daxuxu_/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/twyla-wang/
Image Credits
All images created by myself.