Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Wangyingzhi Janny Ji. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Wangyingzhi Janny thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
The definition of success varies from person to person, and for me, it is closely tied to experiencing growth throughout the creative journey. In my opinion, the key elements for making progress are adopting a learner’s mindset and maintaining persistence in one’s endeavors.
Fortunately, I have been able to engage in rewarding experiences that have served as valuable learning opportunities. For instance, transitioning from a prestigious design agency like Pentagram to an advertising agency like TBWA\Media Arts Lab (MAL) has required me to quickly adapt to different project types and work environments. During my time at Pentagram, I had the privilege of working within a highly selective team, crafting brand identity work for clients across various industries. Designers played a central role in the team, actively involved in every stage of the creative process.
At MAL, however, the teams are considerably larger. We collaborate extensively with account, strategy, and production teams to bring ideas to life. This necessitates enhanced communication and collaboration skills, as we work collectively to create and execute digital and print campaigns that reach a global audience. In the first quarter of this year, we successfully launched the “Apple Pay for Transit” campaign across prominent digital platforms and out-of-home placements in major U.S. markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. The campaign later on expanded to international markets, including London, Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Chongqing, and Beijing.
These experiences have enabled me to grow both professionally and personally, as I’ve had the opportunity to navigate diverse projects and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. By embracing the challenges presented in different working environments, I’ve been able to broaden my skill set and gain a deeper understanding of the creative process. This continuous learning and adaptation have been crucial in my pursuit of growth.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I was born in China and moved to the United States in 2011 to pursue my education. I received training as an illustrator and painter at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, and later obtained a Graphic Design MFA degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art. This educational background has had a profound influence on my creative focus.
My work represents a fusion of illustration and graphic design, and I thrive on the diverse challenges that come my way. Previously, I had the privilege of working as a designer at Pentagram Design, one of the world’s most esteemed design agencies located in NYC. During my tenure there, I had the opportunity to collaborate on a wide range of projects, including brand identity, exhibition design, social campaigns, editorial design, and packaging design. Some of the notable clients I worked with spanned various industries, such as LG, Netflix, American Express, Platoon, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, University of Chicago, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Moravian University, Van Alen Institute, and many more.
Currently, I am employed at TBWA\Media Arts Lab, where I specialize in creating bespoke advertising campaigns for Apple.
Over the years, my projects have garnered recognition from esteemed organizations like the Art Directors Club, Type Directors Club, Graphis, Adobe, STA100, GDUSA, Applied Arts, 3×3 Illustration, and The Society of Illustrators, among others. Notably, I received the honor of being a Typographic Excellence Winner in the Type Directors Club competition for three consecutive years, from 2018 to 2020. Some of my work has been featured in respected publications such as Print Magazine, Communication Arts, The Dieline, and PAGE magazine.
Additionally, I have the privilege of serving as a jury member for several prestigious international design competitions, including the Creative Communication Award (C2A), the Indigo Design Award, and Posterheroes. Alongside other esteemed design experts, I actively evaluate and select the best-winning pieces in each competition.
Through my journey as an artist and designer, I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in diverse creative endeavors, honing my skills and expertise. I look forward to further exploring the boundaries of visual communication and contributing to the ever-evolving world of design.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
To me, one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a creative professional is the opportunity to be part of an inspiring community of designers and critics who continually challenge and motivate one another.
Serving as a jury member in internationally-recognized design competitions allows me to immerse myself in a wealth of creative ideas and projects from talented professionals worldwide. One such competition is the Indigo Design Award, a prestigious international event that attracts participants from over 50 countries. This competition encompasses five main visual design categories, including graphic design, digital design (UX and UI), mobile design, branding, and design for social change. As a jury member, my role involves evaluating the submitted works and casting votes alongside esteemed international judges from prominent organizations like Google and IBM. Just recently, we completed the selection process for the 2023 winners, and the award ceremony took place in Tbilisi, Georgia, in May. Among the projects I had the privilege to review, one that particularly stood out was “ReachOut” by Yonder Creative, an online youth mental health organization based in Australia. Their visually captivating design system incorporated digital interface elements and a vibrant, uplifting color palette, perfectly capturing the communication style of young people. I was genuinely fascinated by the team’s ability to develop a cohesive and expressive visual system from a simple yet ingenious concept.
Additionally, this year, I received an invitation to join the jury group of Posterheroes, an esteemed international contest focused on social design and social communication. This competition calls upon the global creative community to express powerful messages through posters measuring 70×100 cm, addressing social and environmental issues. With its 11-year history, Posterheroes has received an impressive 14,101 poster entries from over 100 different nations. I am incredibly excited to collaborate with other international experts in the fields of illustration, animation, arts, and visual communication, as we collectively evaluate a wide range of creative ideas from designers across the globe.
Participating in these jury roles not only allows me to contribute to the recognition and celebration of exceptional design but also offers an invaluable opportunity to learn from fellow experts and discover innovative approaches to visual communication. Engaging with the diverse perspectives and ideas presented by designers worldwide continuously inspires and motivates me to push the boundaries of my own creative work.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
To me, the most unforgettable experience I’ve had was searching for a job after completing graduate school. After working for several years following my undergraduate studies, I made the decision to pursue a graduate degree at the Maryland Institute College of Art, aiming to enhance my graphic design expertise. As you may know, after graduating from a graduate program, we often have high expectations and hope to secure our dream job immediately. As a foreigner, there was an additional layer of visa pressure that I had to consider. It took me quite a while to finally find a place at Pentagram.
For months on end, I tirelessly submitted job applications and attended numerous interviews at various companies. I’m grateful that I persevered and didn’t give up because landing a job is not solely about one’s own qualifications; it also depends on team needs, timing, and other factors. I would be delighted to share this story with fellow young designers who are also going through the process of job searching.
Contact Info:
- Website: jannyji.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jannieeeji/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janny-ji-10096056
- Behance: https://www.behance.net/jannyji