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

Borui, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

When an idea first comes to me, there’s this spark—a feeling that something new could actually happen. That spark is everything; it fills me with hope and passion. I can see the potential right away, and I want to dive in.

My process usually starts with small, experimental samples. For example, if I want to test the contrast between two materials, I’ll start by using just a tiny piece of each. This is my way of exploring: I see how these materials interact, if they work together the way I envisioned, and how much I need to achieve the effect I’m after. Sometimes, the results surprise me; things might not go exactly as I planned, and that leads me to problem-solve. I explore solutions, think about alternative approaches, and let myself learn from any obstacles.

Each experiment is part of the journey, and as I keep testing and refining, I feel the idea coming closer and closer to reality. And when everything clicks—when I finally see the materials doing exactly what I’d hoped—it’s amazing. I’m fueled by that success, and it drives me to keep pushing forward with even more passion.

Borui, 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 started in environmental design. When I was young, I wanted to be an architect—I thought building something that could permanently stand on the ground and become an icon of a place was an incredible thing. So I worked toward that dream. But after four years of studying it in undergrad, I changed my mind. I realized that the main goal of landscape design wasn’t creativity; it was about ensuring people’s safety and managing budgets. Since these projects cost so much, there’s not much room to take risks or experiment.

That’s when I shifted to graphic design, where I could work independently and didn’t need major financial support. My ideas in graphic design were easier to bring to life.

When working with clients, I know disagreements happen sometimes. But what keeps me moving forward is knowing that both the client and I want to create something great. The key is that our definitions of “great” might differ, and that’s what I need to understand better to improve our communication.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Last summer was a challenging time for me. I was suddenly asked to leave my place since it needed to be renovated for the season. My original plan was to move to LA, but just a week before, I was told I couldn’t stay there either. With no other immediate options, I quickly bought a second-hand car as my next step. Thankfully, a friend from school offered me a place to stay for a bit, so I drove over, planning to thank her by bringing a coffee—but when I reached to grab it, the cup spilled, causing the car to veer off the road. Probably because it was a cheap car, the wheel actually came off, and I was stranded on the roadside with a broken vehicle.

After that, I found a very affordable room in the countryside and moved in. I had no job and faced a lot of rejection—countless “no’s,” “unfortunately’s,” or simply no responses at all. Eventually, I switched my approach. Instead of asking for a job, I reached out to studios asking if I could just visit. Surprisingly, a few in New York said yes, so I headed to the city and made those connections. Soon after, I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity at Yeezy, where I ended up working for half a year. That experience taught me how valuable resilience and adaptability can be, even when things feel like they’re going off course.

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

Absolutely, looking back, I wish I had understood the importance of building social connections earlier in my creative journey. It’s become clear, especially as I’ve navigated the job application process, that talent alone isn’t always enough—relationships can often play a significant role in decision-making. In today’s economic climate, with so many skilled people competing for the same opportunities, connections can tip the scales.

If I’d known this earlier, I would have invested more time in visiting studios, attending workshops, and going to design events and talks. These are perfect avenues to meet people, exchange ideas, and open doors to opportunities that might not be available otherwise. Establishing those connections can be just as crucial as the work itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.boruijiang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rgborui/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/borui-jiang-564423251/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@boruijiang
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1hXdjWBK0JoGZo6u5GWsdP?si=wkN3e5XRSkuajClgZjq_LQ

Image Credits

photo: Ryan Ko