Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tom(Bojun) Tan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tom(Bojun), looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
I am always thankful to my parents for being compassionate and generous throughout my career. They have always trusted me and supported my professional choices and career goals. In hindsight, their support aided my development significantly. When I was about to enter the workforce and felt pressure, they advised me to earnestly pursue decisions I wouldn’t regret, reminding me that each failure is a learning experience. When I hesitated about leaving an unsatisfying job, they told me an artist should be free and brave enough to take risks and that they would support my decision. When I showed a great interest in art at a young age, my parents also allowed me to choose my passion to be my major. I later found that my interest in art and design allowed me to focus intensely on both my studies and work, yielding good results. Thanks to their support, I have become a confident and happy artist, which I am very grateful for. Behind every career success of mine lies the silent support of my parents.
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 am a graphic designer with three years of experience, specializing in logo and visual identity for various brands, primarily startups in the restaurant and cultural sectors. Each client has unique expectations regarding design style and the final product, necessitating my quick adaptation to various styles, techniques, and industry standards. I frequently utilize my diverse skillset – including typography, animation, and coding – combined with my understanding of visual culture to establish distinct branded designs. My work is often seen as futuristic and technologically sophisticated, as I am committed to innovation and thinking outside the box. However, I strive not to be limited by any single style. My portfolio is versatile, encompassing designs that are not only innovative but also cute, playful, humorous, and quirky. My goal is to continuously evolve and tailor my designs to align with client needs, ensuring that each piece showcases my unique creative vision.
What sets me apart as a freelance designer is my ability to build productive personal relationships with clients. I listen patiently to their ideas, offering forward-thinking design insights and leveraging historical and cultural references to inform my work. At the right time, I also challenge my clients to let go of unnecessary assumptions and define their business goals with more accuracy. Startups often require the most innovative designs, and most of my clients are excited about embracing new ideas and placing great trust in my artistic decisions. A positive relationship often leads to the swift completion of projects that both the client and I cherish. The success of our collaboration is evident in the works we passionately create together, infused with our collective ideas and dedication.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
In short, it’s so much fun! Creating art has made me a better version of myself and deepened my connection with society. As my years go by as an artist, I increasingly realize that a good artist needs to be oneself, not the others. I must do a lot of research, think independently, and then express myself with bravery, and not live within the standards set by anyone else. I also need to empathize with different emotions and perspectives, which enables me to create more relevant and inclusive works. I view every challenge as an opportunity, as breaking their own boundaries is an artist’s mission.
There’s a notion that creativity comes from living life authentically, and I believe that becoming a better artist is precisely about becoming a better person. When you are an artist, the line between work and play is blurred; in every immersive moment of creating art, I am able to free myself from doubt and fear and feel deeply connected with the world.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
In the creative field, the creation of meaning is the most complex and important problem. A piece of work resonates and moves people because of its intricate connections with society and culture. As an artist who communicates through images and text, I am constantly addressing this question through my creations. My journey as a designer has just begun, so I’d like to share some of my current thinking.
Firstly, graphic design is a practice of subtraction. An inspiring design often conveys thoughts with minimal content, which is particularly evident in logo design. I usually use my favorite logo, NASA’s wordmark, as an example. It’s just four letters, but its sleek appearance and curves are as rational as an industrial product, embodying the designer’s admiration for technology! Every brand should have a precise mission, and when a logo defines a brand with the most efficient visual information, it’s often a good piece of art. This aligns with the business need for efficiency; simpler designs are easier to use and maintain. Some designers may disagree with me, but even complex design should serve a unified idea.
My second insight is that a piece of work often has its own vitality, so designers should also reflect on their relationship with their work. Once a piece is subject to public scrutiny, it takes on new meanings beyond the designer’s control. Therefore, creators can never own their work. Generally, I use textual descriptions and image references to help clients understand my expression, but sometimes, they like my work for entirely different reasons. Sometimes, they have their own interpretations of my logos; sometimes, they see themselves in them. How should I treat my own design work, then? Understanding the serendipity in creation means I can’t view my works as cold assets I own or have too much emotional attachment to them. A design in use “lives” on in a fascinating way!
The meaning of art and design often has an openness capable and should be interpreted in multiple ways, making my job very fascinating. I also need to keep learning, ensuring my works provoke thought in different contexts without causing unnecessary misunderstandings. Like everyone else, I need a lifetime to ponder how meaning is created.
Contact Info:
- Website: tomtan.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomtbj/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-tan-1144371a1/
Image Credits
Sichen Tang