We recently connected with Chih-Yuan Chang and have shared our conversation below.

Chih-Yuan, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Being a creative person brings me immense happiness and satisfaction. It allows me to tap into my imagination and bring my unique vision to life. As a creative, I constantly strive to improve my work and pay close attention to the details. Whether I’m honing a technique or perfecting a piece, I approach every project with a meticulous and attentive mindset. This level of focus not only helps me produce better work, but also allows me to lose myself in the process and find a sense of tranquility.

Another aspect of being a creative person that brings me great happiness is the ability to discover and grow constantly. Whether it’s exploring new skills or experimenting with different mediums, there is always something new to learn and incorporate into my work. The ability to use my talents and passions to create something beautiful and meaningful is a privilege that I am incredibly grateful for. In many ways, being creative is not just a job but a way of life, and I can’t imagine ever giving up the joy and fulfillment that comes with it.

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’m really passionate about creative stuff because I want to make a meaningful impact and tell stories visually. When I do my creative projects, I get inspired by everyday life and all the things that happen around us — like the routines, interactions, and experiences that shape the world around us.

Besides immersing myself in the art world, I am a designer focusing on graphic design. My expertise spans a range of areas, including visual identity, digital design, marketing materials, typography, packaging, and more. My approach is all about being thoughtful and using systematic thinking to make eye-catching visuals that work well in different media. I enjoy taking complicated stuff and simplifying it to create fresh and impressive visuals that really make brands and projects stand out.

I also see the challenges we face in everyday life as chances to come up with cool new ideas. I’m good at spotting problems and finding solutions that make things easier and more efficient. It’s all about making things better. By utilizing my creative problem-solving abilities, I am dedicated to creating services and systems that directly tackle these challenges, thereby improving multiple aspects of work and life.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

As a kid, I was always encouraged to embrace challenges and turn discomfort into opportunities for growth and learning. However, now that I’ve entered the real world, I’ve come to recognize that things don’t always go according to plan and living within my means is essential.

Let me tell you about this one time when I took on a commitment beyond my capabilities. I was tasked with creating a 3D render for an environmental object. I felt uncertain because my skills in this area were limited. But I didn’t want to fail, and I thought it could be a chance to expand my skills and enrich my portfolio. It turns out the assignment was way outside my expertise and comfort zone, and I spent countless days watching tutorials and striving to meet both the client’s expectations and the project’s quality standards.

This experience taught me a valuable lesson about the perils of undertaking tasks that surpass my abilities without seeking assistance. It can result in burnout and hinder my ability to perform at my best within the given timeframe. The process becomes riddled with chaos, distractions, and scattered energy. Ultimately, I grappled with meeting deadlines, and my output was subpar, leaving me and the committee profoundly disappointed.

The incident was undoubtedly an unpleasant and embarrassing one, but it catalyzed for me to understand the importance of saying ‘no.’

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I believe everyone experienced a challenging period when the pandemic began, and I was no exception. It was the year I graduated from school and embarked on a quest to secure my first internship in the United States. Amidst the most difficult time, fate led me to cross paths with a remarkable creative director who owned a small yet impactful creative office in New York. With his expertise in helping brands weave compelling narratives and connect with their audience through visual and verbal expressions, I found myself deeply inspired.

During this time, I displayed unwavering resilience and determination as I worked tirelessly to appreciate the internship opportunity. Through my perseverance and dedication, I succeeded in the internship and fostered a solid and enduring relationship with the creative director. Today, we continue to collaborate and expand the horizons of our professional connections, leveraging our collective talents to create meaningful and engaging experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://jackychang.xyz
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacky83124/