We recently connected with Shaoyang Chen and have shared our conversation below.
Shaoyang, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
Telling stories through visuals has always been at the heart of my creative journey. It’s more than a passion—it’s an obsession that drives me to explore, connect, and reflect. Great stories, especially those filled with depth and honesty, have a way of keeping me grounded, reminding me of the power of shared human experiences.
Throughout my journey, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to meet amazing people who’ve helped me broaden my perspective, deepen my sense of culture, and see a bigger world. One of the most profound realizations I’ve had is the lack of diversity in the representation of Asian cultures in mainstream media and entertainment. That realization inspired me to create an art piece—a family album that weaves together Asian film stills and vintage objects from around the world. This project celebrates the diversity and collective memory of “home” across various Asian cultures.
The work was warmly received at the Wieden+Kennedy gallery during Asian Heritage Month and has since been featured in multiple exhibitions. What moved me most was how people from all walks of life, across cultures and backgrounds, connected with this project. It was a beautiful reminder of art’s ability to bridge gaps, spark conversations, and bring people together. For me, that’s the magic of storytelling through visuals.
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.
After studying journalism at the University of Missouri and Waseda University in Tokyo, I began my career as a producer at an NBC Missouri affiliate and later worked as a production assistant for The Amazing Race. These early experiences deepened my love for storytelling and set the stage for my journey into design.
With my sights set on New York City, I joined Avenue Magazine and had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Pentagram. Inspired by my time there, I pursued a master’s degree in design at the School of Visual Arts, where I was fortunate to study under visionary mentors like Steve Heller and Stefan Sagmeister. This period of intense learning and growth propelled my career forward, eventually leading to my branding work for the San Francisco International Film Festival and for other indepdent films that received international awards.
Today, I’m an art director at Wieden + Kennedy in Portland, a creative agency where I continue to build on my experiences, explore new ideas, and push the boundaries of design and advertising. Each step in my journey has shaped who I am, and I’m excited to keep growing and creating.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding part of being an artist is the ability to bring ideas to life and make something meaningful exist in this world. Just as construction workers build physical homes, artists create dreams and spiritual sanctuaries for wandering souls—a place for connection, reflection, and inspiration.
What makes this journey even more special are the moments when I get to collaborate with like-minded people and work alongside artists I deeply admire. Those opportunities not only inspire me but remind me why I chose this path in the first place.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Supporting artists and fostering a thriving creative ecosystem is a hard thing to do but it’s also something we must do. It requires a multifaceted approach that values creativity as essential to society. Like anytime, artists nowadays still struggles in maintaining their life due to the lack of fair pay and issues with intellectual property rights. It would be great if we can have more legal and financial education to help artists navigate contracts, royalties, and business opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shaoyangchen.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaoyang_chen_/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaoyang-chen-927787129/
Image Credits
Shaoyang Chen Portrait
Photo Credit: Aline Vieitez
Miniature Book Soundbite
Photo Credit: Shay Platz
Change the World, Not My Name Keychain
Photo Credit: Shay Platz