We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chenwei Xu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chenwei, appreciate you joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Risk-taking is an essential part of personal growth.

One of the biggest risks I’ve undertaken was relocating from my home country shortly after college to pursue graduate school and career opportunities in the States as an international student. The challenges international students face can be stressful, including cultural shock, language barriers in the workplace, work sponsorship and visa issues, which create a constant risk of rejection or job loss.

Despite these difficulties, I am grateful for my decision. Stepping outside of my comfort zone has provided me with invaluable self-awareness, enriched my skill set, given me confidence, and enabled me to identify and leverage my unique strengths, even after facing countless rejections and failures.

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

I’m Chenwei Xu, a multidisciplinary designer based in Los Angeles. With a strong background in Graphic Design and over five years of professional experience, I have collaborated with international clients on numerous projects spanning multiple industries. My passion also lies in 2D/3D motion, event visuals and branding, illustration, and motion graphics, where I strive to bring creative visions to life.

In my career, I’ve achieved success in visual design by winning international awards and showcasing my work at global events. Notably, my designs have been showcased at renowned festivals such as the 39th Chicago Latino Film Festival and NomadHer’s 2022 Female Globetrotter Festival. Additionally, I was honored as the top creative portfolio at The One Club for Creativity’s Portfolio Night Shanghai in 2019. My designs have also been featured in esteemed publications including Graphis, Money Today, and Screen Magazine.

Though my journey has been challenging, it has taught me valuable lessons in perseverance and resilience. Through my design studio, Chenwei Xu Design, I strive to be known for passion, creativity, and professionalism, making a lasting impact through captivating visual storytelling.

Please reach out for freelance projects and collaborations. [email protected]

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

My journey to where I am today professionally hasn’t been smooth sailing. Like many, I’ve faced tough challenges, from adjusting to new cultures as an international student to dealing with visa issues and the uncertainties of freelancing. But each hurdle taught me something valuable. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to keep going no matter what. Rejection is just part of the journey, and I’ve learned to see it as a chance to grow and improve.

One of the biggest risks I took was moving from my home country to pursue opportunities in the United States. As an international student, navigating through cultural differences and visa hurdles wasn’t easy. A memorable moment was when I got laid off during my vacation, leaving me with only two months to secure a new job due to visa limitations. I reached out to countless studios, contacts, and connections, sending cold emails and messages, asking for referrals and networking opportunities. Despite the challenges, my perseverance paid off when I seized an opportunity with Microsoft after attending numerous breakdowns and putting in extensive effort.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

It’s incredibly fulfilling to see my work recognized and featured in big events or on prestigious platforms. When I see my creations being celebrated and shared with a wider audience, it validates all the hard work and creativity that went into making them. There’s also immense satisfaction in knowing that after a successful collaboration, my work resonates with and is appreciated by my clients. It’s a wonderful feeling to see their vision come to life through my designs, whether it’s a poster, a vibrant illustration, or a polished report to brand identity set. Knowing that I’ve played a part in helping them achieve their goals and elevate their branding brings a sense of fulfillment that’s hard to beat.

Overall, being able to use my artistic talents to make a positive impact on both a personal and professional level is what makes being an artist so rewarding for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://chenweixu.com
• Instagram: chenweixudesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chenweixu/