We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Fay Qiu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Fay below.
Hi Fay, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Hi, I’m Fay, a Senior Designer and Creative Director based in New York. I specialize in brand systems, exhibition and environmental design, editorial design, web design, and interactive design—primarily within the art and culture, education, fashion, health & wellness, nonprofit, and publishing sectors.
Throughout my career, I’ve led numerous award-winning projects, including exhibition designs for Poster House Museum, such as Made in Japan and Black Power to Black People. I love creating meaningful, immersive experiences that not only tell compelling stories but also connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Beyond my client work, I’ve also launched my own creative projects, including Tang Ren, a brand dedicated to supporting Chinatown’s small businesses and bringing the most authentic Chinatown experience to people’s doorsteps. Through this initiative, I aim to celebrate and preserve the vibrant culture, flavors, and craftsmanship of these communities while making them more accessible to a wider audience.
I’m always excited to push boundaries and find new ways to use design to inspire, educate, and engage.
Here are some further reference for this project I did:
https://boldjourney.com/meet-huiqi-fay-qiu/
https://www.techtimes.com/articles/306665/20240715/meet-tang-ren-lead-graphic-designers-showcase-of-art-to-draw-young-new-yorkers-to-the-heart-of-chinatown.htm
Fay, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi, I’m Fay — a Senior Designer and Creative Director based in New York. I come from a pretty traditional design background, with a BFA in Design from Boston University and an MFA in Design from the School of Visual Arts. I started my career grounded in strong visual fundamentals, and over time, my work has expanded to include brand systems, exhibition and environmental design, editorial, web, and interactive projects — especially in the art & culture, education, fashion, wellness, and nonprofit spaces.
I currently work at Practice, a brand-building firm that partners with mission-driven companies to create market-ready brands grounded in strategy, culture, and purpose. Unlike a traditional design studio, Practice focuses on helping organizations develop brands that not only meet business needs but also push their industries forward through meaningful, values-driven work. What drew me to the firm was its thoughtful, intentional approach to brand-building — where equity, sustainability, and long-term impact are central to the process.
What sets my work apart is my ability to approach design with both empathy and structure — I’m always thinking about how to tell stories that feel human, grounded, and culturally aware, while also building systems that function seamlessly across touchpoints. I love working closely with clients and communities to find creative, thoughtful solutions to real-world problems — whether that’s helping a brand express its voice more clearly, building an immersive exhibition experience, or crafting a publication that people want to hold onto. Ultimately, I’m proud of using design as a way to connect people — and I want others, especially those who may not always feel seen, to feel empowered through the work I put into the world.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
At the heart of my creative journey is a desire to use design as a tool for connection, empowerment, and cultural visibility. I’m especially drawn to work that centers underrepresented voices, tells nuanced stories, and makes people feel seen. As someone who’s navigated different cultural spaces and often found myself as “the only one in the room,” I’m motivated to create work that challenges stereotypes and makes space for others. Whether I’m working on a brand, an exhibition, or a community project, I’m always thinking about how design can spark conversation, shift perspectives, and bring people closer together.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
Something non-creatives might not always see is how much of this journey is about constant growth — not just in your craft, but in how you work with people, how you present yourself, and how you sustain your creativity over time. Early in my career, I made a point to work at different agencies to learn from a variety of teams and disciplines. That exposure helped me grow quickly, but just as important was talking to people, building real connections, and learning from conversations as much as from projects.
That said, no matter how many people you know, your portfolio still has to speak for itself. The quality and clarity of your work — how it solves problems, tells stories, and expresses your point of view — is ultimately what moves you forward. But one thing that often gets overlooked is how important it is to take care of your creativity itself. It’s easy to burn out if your whole identity is wrapped up in output. So I’ve learned to protect time outside of work, explore things that inspire me, and keep space to recharge. Sometimes the best ideas come when you’re not trying so hard to come up with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fayqiu.info
- Instagram: @fayqiu
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huiqifayqiu/
Image Credits
Made in Japan Exhibition Credits:
John Kudos
Creative Director
Robert de Saint Phalle
3D Creative Director
Ashley Wu
Art Director
Fay Qiu
Lead Designer
Imam Fadillah
3D Renderer
Amanda Knott
Project Manager
Tang Ren Credits:
Fay Qiu
Founder / Art Director / Designer
Xiao Mei
Illustration
Eonnam Kim
Photographer