We were lucky to catch up with Wen-Chia Chang recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Wen-Chia, thanks for joining us today. Can you share an important lesson you learned in a prior job that’s helped you in your career afterwards?

While I was studying, one of my professors said to us: “Don’t just be a designer; be a storyteller.” Design is a cool and tricky way of communicating. It’s not always about creating something pretty; it’s about how it connects with the audience and supports the idea. You can play with different design elements like materials, graphics, typography, and even printing methods to give your creations some character. I believe that designers create is never just delivering a message but rather creating a relationship between content and form.

One thing I’ve learned the most from talented people in the industry is paying attention to detail. When we have been working on something for a long time, it’s easy to overlook small mistakes in the work. However, either the typo, slight alignment issue, or missing information, all people can see is that small mistake when it happens. And this is the factor that distinguishes the average work and great craftsmanship. Paying attention to detail in every aspect is definitely a valuable lesson to help me learn and grow as the designer I am today.

Another essential thing I found is being curious about new things. We live in a world where technology has changed dramatically every day, and it is important to keep up with what is coming, what the trends are, what technologies are the latest, and how we can have them involved in our design process. And simply seeking inspiration and curiosity about other people’s stories also help broaden my perspectives, make a connection, build a friendship with others, and even lead to collaborations. These are the lessons I learned, and they best describe what I wanna be as a designer.

Wen-Chia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been very drawn to musicals since I was a teenager and have been collecting musical posters from some notable shows since then. After graduating from college, I worked in Theatre and Concert Hall as a salesperson and had an opportunity to do the design for children’s summer camp where I started to realize my passion for design. I was then self-taught in photoshop and illustrator and made my way into the AAU Graphic Design, which was my first step into the creative and design industry.

I have been fortunate to receive a lot of support, mentoring, and advice throughout my study and at work. I collaborate with highly skilled professionals from packaging, marketing, and industrial design to creative teams, creating stunning yet meaningful graphics and marketing campaigns through visual storytelling and providing a cohesive experience for our customers. I thrive in a positive, encouraging, and collaborative environment where I believe that through this process, we can only help each other become better designers and achieve something greater than before.

A recent project I have been part of was the A30 gaming headset. I worked with CMF Designers, Industrial Designers, and three other teammates on product graphics. Our goal was to create a contemporary look infused with retro elements that effectively communicate the lifestyle and attitude of today’s gamers. This effort resulted in winning the 2023 Red Dot Product Design Award and the iF Design Awards 2023. I am proud to have it as a milestone of my journey here in San Francisco. I’ve also worked on the campaign video for the A30 gaming headset and other projects from Astro Gaming and Logitech.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The collaborative process is the most rewarding aspect of being creative. Understanding how others approach problem-solving and the design thinking behind each idea brings satisfaction. It broadens my perspective, as it reveals the diverse views individuals can have on the same topic. Ultimately, witnessing the results of our work in the world, creating value and resonating with people’s lives, is truly fulfilling. It fuels my passion as a creative and keeps me motivated to continue my journey.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Being a creative can sometimes feel pretty lonely during the design process. But, I consider myself lucky to have some colleagues who share the same passion and love to collaborate. We’ve got each other’s backs, and it always results in some awesome work. Looking back, I wish I had made more connections with people earlier in my creative journey. Like, genuinely getting interested in their stories and learning from them has been inspiring and has expanded my perspective more than any online resource ever could. It takes time to meet those amazing friends or mentors who take you to the next level in your career, but every connection has its value. So, it’s essential to cherish the relationships that bring you joy and allow you to share your passions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wen-chang.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/washiwenga/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wencchang/
• Other: Behance: https://www.behance.net/wencchang Dribbble: https://dribbble.com/Wenru8118