We were lucky to catch up with Xiaodie Hu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Xiaodie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I believe that starting my career later can be more helpful because I enjoy discovering what influences my decisions. I follow a philosophy that is different from utilitarianism. We need to spend time, make mistakes, and wait for deeper realizations. When I first tried to begin my creative career, I faced many challenges because I wasn’t sure how to set boundaries, stand up for myself, and express my needs effectively. Taking a break from pursuing freelance work at a young age made me feel out of touch with current trends. I was eager to become a professional, but it led to a lot of competitive and discouraging experiences that affected my creative motivation. So, I took a longer break and rethought my values in the field. Looking back, I wish I had started my career even later. The more experiences you accumulate through trial and error, and the better you understand how to protect your creativity, the further you can go. I wish I had started my career knowing how to deal with burnout and giving myself breaks in between.

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 visual artist and publication designer, deeply passionate about reading, writing, illustrating, and crafting books. Recently, I have delved into the intricate realms of calligraphy, typography, and the art of script, viewing them as forms of technology. My creative endeavors span across a spectrum of mediums, ranging from interactive experiences to film and installations.

I am a visual artist and publication designer with a deep passion for reading, writing, illustrating, and creating books. Lately, I’ve been exploring the intricate worlds of calligraphy, typography, and script art, viewing them as unique forms of technology. My creative pursuits span a wide range of mediums, from interactive experiences to film and installations.

As an artist who creates visuals for others to consume, I find myself reflecting on the profound responsibilities inherent in graphic design and script. My research is focused on understanding and reshaping the impact of words, characters, and phrases on the world around us. In the realm of graphic design, it’s easy to lose sight of your creation once it’s handed over to production or clients. However, crafting a beautiful and effective design is an art that involves manifesting visual languages, and this artistry carries its own set of responsibilities.

Concurrently, I’m conducting research alongside my design work to shed light on the hidden power structures within visual languages. This includes exploring dialects and symbols that may lack proper Unicode representation. Even if only a niche group of individuals uses them regularly, it’s crucial to acknowledge their existence, especially when computers may struggle to accommodate them. What do we sacrifice in the process of digitizing our typography?

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating closely with poets and musicians in my artistic endeavors, particularly in the creation of artist books. These collaborations spark meaningful conversations between design and poetics. Together, we embark on journeys to deconstruct poems and transform them into illustrated or diagrammatic spreads, allowing their meaning to transcend their original language. Additionally, I work as a book designer and typesetter for various companies and independent writers. I also contribute to designing promotional materials for book fairs and local communities in the Bushwick area.

Currently, I’m immersed in a project titled “GATSA!” published by Accent Sister. You can find more information about it on their social media and websites.

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

In my creative journey, my mission is to explore our perception of the world, delve into the connection between our thoughts and behaviors, and raise awareness about subconscious design issues.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I was six years old, I entered a boarding school where, for nine long years, the rule was clear: no books other than textbooks allowed. However, my love for books had already taken root, and I couldn’t resist the temptation. I became adept at smuggling novels or disguising them as textbooks to avoid detection. Fortunately, the rule wasn’t as rigidly enforced as it seemed, which gave me the opportunity to read and even establish my own book club within the school. Nearly half of my classmates eagerly joined.

During my elementary school years, I took on the role of creating weekly covers for the club and crafting humorous content that would have subscribers gathering and laughing together. These included drawings of everyone’s avatars based on exam results and whimsical comics. I poured my heart into running and curating content for the club, but my academic performance suffered as a result.

Then one day, my father discovered my secret and, in a fit of anger, tore one of my beloved books apart page by page. I remember crying in the dormitory, with all my friends rallying to help me painstakingly glue it back together with tape. I still keep those mended copies as a reminder of why my passion for books endures.

It may seem like a whimsical childhood tale, but it’s the origin story of my enduring obsession with books. Books and publications, in my eyes, have the power to bring people together, and my love for them knows no bounds.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://caycehudesign.cargo.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caycecreate/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cayce-hu-165395223/