We recently connected with Ho Ting-an and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ho, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a fun one – what’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

As a brand designer, I often get approached by companies looking to build their brand identity. Depending on the brand’s style, I like to experiment with all sorts of quirky design methods and processes, tailoring them to the brand’s unique vibe.

Many of my fellow designers stick to traditional routines—especially graphic designers. They tend to follow the same old steps: first the logo, then the typeface, and finally the packaging. Their quotes are locked into these fixed processes, with no room for tweaking, and they even set rigid limits on how many revisions a client can request. Sure, that might work in some areas of design, but in my experience, you won’t get any fun or interesting brands with that approach.

I’ve noticed designers often make this mistake: they look at someone else’s method, copy it step by step, check off a to-do list, and then wonder why they didn’t get the same result.

I believe good brand design is all about telling the brand’s story. I’m open to using any method or medium to do that. My work often includes animations, new media, websites, and interactive designs, not just logos and print. But because of that, sometimes other designers think I’m a bit of a weirdo.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a graphic designer, though that wasn’t the plan at first. Back in university, I noticed how different each department’s visuals looked. So, I ignorantly and boldly offered to redesign everything—from student IDs to department logos, posters, and even the school emblem. That project kicked off a string of design work and soon, I became known across campus as the “brand designer.”

After graduation, I discovered that not many people were mixing Chinese typography with animation and ads. Curious, I started seeking mentors and diving into this niche. A few years later, I went from being the one asking questions to the one answering them. Since then, I’ve gradually become known among my design peers as a “Multidisciplinary Designer.” It feels like I unknowingly dug myself a deep hole, and once I fell in, I still haven’t climbed out.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I think all artists constantly question the meaning of their work. To me, designers are a kind of artist too. But unlike most artists, we don’t just tell our own stories; we help tell other people’s stories. The kind of designer I want to be is one who helps others express their stories, whether through fonts, illustrations, animation, or visuals.

Looking at it from a broader, human perspective, many psychological and sociological theories show that while human technology, art, and literature may advance rapidly, we’re still searching for self-fulfillment. People are still affected by existential anxiety, and we’re nowhere near the top of the pyramid of needs. The journey of creativity feels endless. As a designer, I think my greatest value is in helping people find their own self-realization.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’ find it funny that, as a behind-the-scenes designer, I somehow have audiences. Sure, if it’s fellow designers, that makes sense, but I’ve realized a lot of my audience is made up of art-curious people, especially those aged 16-25. Maybe Gen Z is still figuring out what interests them.

Since I also teach at a university’s design school, I have a lot of friends who are college and high school students. They say I’m in a unique spot—less than a design company owner but more than just a freelancer. I fit this precise role of “using art to achieve business,” and my life is, in a way, an interesting example for them.

Many designers call themselves designers but have little work to show; many businesspeople talk all day about making money but don’t show how they live after earning it. Maybe I’m somewhere in between. I openly share my doubts and struggles with my audience, but I also show how I overcome them. This willingness to display my flaws while not being defined by them might just have a certain appeal, I guess.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://tinganho.info
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinganho.info/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tinganho/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ho-ting-an-20b78675/
• Other: https://www.threads.net/@tinganho.info

Image Credits

TINGANHO.INFO