We were lucky to catch up with Vicky Lin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Vicky, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

I do think that I am happier as a creative, happier than I would be if I were to have a conventional career outside of being a designer. I sometimes wonder, “What would I be doing if I hadn’t chosen this path?” There was a time when I wanted to keep my personal passions separate from my work, fearing that merging them would eventually lead to burnout and drain my motivation. However, I’ve since come to understand that it’s possible to love what I do while still completing tasks and solving problems. In fact, I’ve found that I feel even more creatively fulfilled and accomplished when I tackle challenging, career-related tasks.

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 born and raised in the Bay Area. I grew up in a suburban neighborhood and always enjoyed creative outlets as a child. I always loved watching movies, drew a ton during my free time, and was invested in arts from elementary school throughout high school. I spent my college years at ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California and that was when I fell into the world of motion graphics and graphic design. During my time as a student, I was able to experiment with different styles, and also got to experience some areas in the creative industry.

I graduated from ArtCenter in 2022 and started working in corporate as a graphic designer. Working in tech as my first job out of college was a transformative experience. It was then when I discovered the importance of being a team player. How each designer contributes to the team and ultimately, the final product. Problem solving for different briefs and designing with limitations and restrictions (things such as sticking to the brand) was a great exercise that helped me grow as a designer. It was challenging at first, getting to know the company style, tradition, and guideline. A question I had to ask myself every day: Is this Apple enough? However, my proudest moments were whenever the campaigns we did reached the greater audience. When the designs I had once mocked up as vector files showed up in retail stores and online. When my family from across the world would reach out to me and say “I came across your designs the other day!”

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

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that we are constantly surrounded with resources that are so inspirational. As designers, we have the privilege of being both creators and communicators. We craft visuals that convey emotions, tell stories, and communicate complex ideas in ways that words alone often cannot. It’s rewarding to know that the work we produce can evoke inspiration, make something more accessible, or even shift perceptions. As technology is constantly evolving, as a designer, I think it’s something amazing and fascinating that there are endless boundaries yet to discover to create great work and impact. There’s a thrill in taking a concept that starts as just a thought or a sketch and transforming it into something tangible that resonates with others.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to be able to experience different areas of the industry. Currently, I am a designer for an entertainment and gaming company, which is something I always had curiosity towards. I have prior work experience in advertising and media as well as tech, and I want to slowly make my way through the different options, including the movie industry, AI, and music industry. I think there are so many things that I have not touched and I would love to expand my knowledge on these different areas as well. The primary motivation behind my creative journey lies in the possibilities that the future holds, filled with experiences yet to be discovered.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vickylin.info
• Instagram: @gra.vixx
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/vicky-lin-b014871b0

Image Credits

(for olympics poster, red year of the dragon poster, and mooncake festival posters) credit collaborator Tiffany Chen