We were lucky to catch up with QingYing (Mimi) Guan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi QingYing (Mimi), thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

Work: “Dissection” dissection2021.com

What would it look like if I uploaded my brain to the web?

This was the question I started to think about as the pandemic shifted our collective relationship to technology, mediating our communications and controlling our desires through predictive algorithms. Perhaps, as futurist Robin Hanson proposes, our memories and personalities will one day be uploaded to the cloud too?

Dissection is a project exploring the concept of a hyper-personalized space on the internet. Housed within an interactive website, the workings of my mind are represented as links to symbolic dreamscapes. The style used throughout the site is a strange mixture, integrating medical illustration, psychedelic art, doodles, and childhood snapshots.

I can never see the chaotic flux of my own mind because it is impossible to find a neutral vantage point from which to view it. All I can do is build a working model, which may or may not be useful. While Freud’s taxonomy of id, ego, and superego is meant as a universal structure, Dissection is specific only to me. I organized my personality into a series of interconnected zones based on my memory and experiences throughout my life relating to my upbringing in Australia & China and 2000s memorabilia.

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.

Hi, I’m Mimi Guan, a creative problem solver and multidisciplinary designer from Sydney Australia, based in New York City. I focus on graphic design, visual identity & branding with experience & interest in art direction, media & photography.

I was inspired to have a creative career from an early age. My father is a visual artist and it inspired me to use my creativity as an outlet. I studied communication design in New York City and got my start in the creative field there. I was captivated by the energy of the city and the thriving artistic community it offered.

My goal is to remain on the cutting edge of design whilst creating & contributing to work that sparks engagement, conversation & curiosity. That leads to shifting perspectives, creating connections & inspiring evolution towards progression. My focus is on creating work that builds & maintains a meaningful relationship between the brand, users, community and the environment.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I think it’s really important to understand the demographic you’re trying to appeal to first when it comes to building a social media following. It is crucial to resist the temptation of casting a wide net in pursuit of inclusivity at first because it can dilute the essence of the brand or individual. Instead, the focus should be on fostering a sense of community, even if initially it may seem niche or limited in scope. This targeted approach not only facilitates engagement but also lays a solid foundation for sustainable growth and loyalty. While the allure of overnight viral success may be enticing, it often lacks the longevity and depth inherent in cultivating a dedicated following over time. So my advice would be to prioritize the establishment of a genuine connection with a specific audience, for it is within this relationship that true resonance and lasting impact reside.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative lies in the collaborative process and the fusion of ideas to create something truly impactful. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see how diverse ideas can blend harmoniously, resulting in a creation that none of us could have achieved alone. It allows me the opportunity to constantly expand my perspective and sometimes even my skill set while fostering my growth and keeping the creative process exciting and invigorating!

The most rewarding aspect is also being able to use my skills to translate either my visions or those of others into tangible realities. Whether it’s bringing a client’s dream to life or expressing my thoughts and emotions through creating, there’s a profound sense of satisfaction in knowing that my work has the power to evoke emotions, spark conversations, and make a meaningful impact in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: mimiguanportfolio.com until march 10 soon to be: mimiguan.com
• Instagram: qingying.g
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mimi-guan/

Image Credits
All photographs are of my work or taken by me. Image 1: 35mm film photography documentation of performance by Beau Bree Rhee. Featured in A Land of All Possibles at Trotter & Scholer. Image 2: 35mm film photography test shoot featuring JAG model Gladia