Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Xinting Yu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Xinting, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I have worked on is called Who I Am. This was my MFA thesis project, aimed at helping children find their self-identity through graphic design. I chose this subject because I believe the exploration for self-identity is a timeless topic. Since children may not yet have the ability to think abstractly, graphic design—an effective tool for translating abstract concepts into visuals—can serve as a new form of expression that is particularly suitable for them.

If a logo can represent a company, it can also represent a child. Through the process of creating self-identity design and engaging in personal branding, children can gain a deeper understanding of themselves.

This project is especially meaningful to me because I have always had a strong interest in children’s design. However, during my graduate studies, I didn’t have many opportunities to explore this field. So when I had the chance to choose my own research direction, I was thrilled to focus on children’s design. To interact with real children, I also went to Roosevelt Elementary school in San Bernardino and gained the opportunity to work with a second grade class.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In my undergraduate studies, I majored in studio arts, comparative literature, and philosophy. However, I wanted to gain more practical skills, which led me to pursue graphic design, and I was fortunate to study it for three years at ArtCenter. As a designer, I can work on a wide range of projects, including logo design, branding, book design, CD covers, and posters.

What sets me apart as a designer is my constant consideration of humanistic issues. I don’t want my designs to be merely decorative without purpose. I aim to create designs that contribute to society in meaningful ways. I’m also deeply passionate about editorial design. When designing a book, I always consider the theme and the reader’s habits, ensuring the design is both impactful and functional.

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

When I was a child, I always wanted to pursue work that could drive social progress, hoping that, through my efforts, the world would become a better place. This has always been my aspiration. In my elementary school yearbook, under the “dreams” section, I wrote “designer,” and I eventually fulfilled that vague, innocent dream. This expectation has since become my mission in my creative journey: to create human-centered designs. Just as the design industry today has moved beyond mere aesthetics toward storytelling, I am not content with designs that only meet aesthetic standards. I strive to create designs that are tailored to different groups and bring them a sense of happiness.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

In my view, the best way for society to support artists is by addressing the issue of plagiarism and respecting the value of artists’ labor. Artistic creation often begins with an idea, and transforming that intangible idea into a tangible work requires immense effort and time. Tolerating plagiarism undermines the rights of artists. When plagiarism occurs, society should stand with the original creators, opposing and holding plagiarists accountable. Society should also respect the value of the artist’s work, including the pricing they set. This respect depends on mutual support among artists as well, ensuring that price wars do not damage the creative ecosystem.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kittyu.me
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kitty-yu-2691652a0