We were lucky to catch up with Justin Zhenghao Zhang recently and have shared our conversation below.

Justin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The project that holds the most significance to me is ‘Instant Evolution’, my first full-length motion graphics work. It is the winner of the 2022 Communication Arts illustration competition. ‘Instant Evolution’ showcases the history of Polaroid cameras from its early beginnings to its eventual decline and resurgence in the 21st century. Using illustrations and music, I took the audience on a journey inspired by the classic models of the camera, bringing to life the evolution of these iconic models. This project allowed me to demonstrate my ability to create impactful and attractive content. It also helped me realize the potential of motion graphics to bring concepts to life and showcase a story in a unique and engaging way.

Since completing this project, I have incorporated motion graphics into various graphic design and branding projects, recognizing the value that it brings to the table. With motion graphics, I’m able to take static elements and bring them to life, making them more dynamic and engaging. It’s a powerful tool that has helped me deliver more compelling visual content for my clients and has become an essential part of my design toolkit.

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?

My name is Justin Zhenghao Zhang, and I’m a graphic and motion designer currently working at Pentagram Design. I’m a graduate of the School of Visual Arts in NYC, where I studied graphic design. My passion for graphic design started during my high school years, and I’ve been pursuing my dream of becoming a thoughtful designer ever since.

I’ve gained valuable experience working with various clients on diverse projects, ranging from branding to title sequences, packaging, and animation. Each project has allowed me to hone my skills and showcase my creativity, and I always strive to approach every new challenge with fresh and innovative ideas.

My work is inspired by my curiosity and a deep desire to create meaningful designs that not only look great but also have a positive impact on the world. As a rising designer, I’m excited to continue exploring new techniques, mediums, and ideas, and to push the boundaries of what’s possible in graphic and motion design.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

For me, the ultimate goal of my creative journey is to become a designer/creative director who is truly thoughtful and inspirational. I strive to never follow trends or other people’s work, instead focusing on creating designs that are unique and meaningful.

My aim is to always avoid creating designs that are solely trendy or stylish, but rather create pieces that are imbued with rich ideas and concepts. I want to create work that can evoke a range of emotions in people, from laughter to tears, and most importantly, make them think. I believe that great design should not only be visually appealing but should also have a strong and impactful message.

As a designer, I recognize that trends come and go, but good design lasts. I aspire to create work that stands the test of time and has a lasting impact. By avoiding the trap of following trends, I am able to create designs that are authentic, unique, and truly representative of my style and philosophy.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Two essential qualities: originality and consistent hard work. Creating original work is the foundation of a successful career in design. Copying or imitating the work of others will only limit your growth as a designer and prevent you from developing your unique idea. Originality allows a designer to stand out in a crowded market, and it is what sets them apart from their competition.

In addition to originality, consistent hard work is the key to growing and thriving as a designer. Hard work is not only about putting in the hours but also about continually pushing yourself to learn and develop your skills. Consistent hard work enables a designer to refine their crafts.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.justinzhang.work
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/just1nzhang
• Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/justin-zhang19