We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Xinyi Shao a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Xinyi thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start big picture – what are some of biggest trends you are seeing in your industry?

Currently, the most significant trend is undoubtedly AI. As AI tools advance rapidly, they have a huge impact on almost all industries, including the design industry. AI-generated images and videos are improving every day, inevitably transforming the industry and the future of design. I feel mostly positive about this trend; however, my biggest concerns are the biases that exist in AI and copyright issues. There is still a long way to go, and regulations will be crucial. Nevertheless, this trend has the potential to significantly increase our efficiency. It can free designers from laborious work and allow them to focus more on creative and strategic aspects.

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

I’m Xinyi. I’m a graphic designer who specializes in brand identity design, editorial design, and digital design. My work has been recognized and awarded by Core77 Design Awards, Graphis Awards, Communication Arts Awards, Creative Communication Awards, and IDA Design Awards.

My previous background in finance made me emphasize a lot on reasoning and precision in my work. I value a lot in research and think it’s crucial to have reasons for every design decision. I believe that deep understanding and thoughts always bring unique angles in solving the problem and making the design. It makes the work original and lasting. Due to the multi-culture experience and multidisciplinary background, I’m also open-minded in my work. I embrace all the possibilities and love exploring new ways of making according to our ever-changing world to push the discipline forward.

I help my clients enhance their brand experience. Whether through print or digital media, I craft every brand touchpoint to create memorable and enjoyable moments for users. Growing up, I was always interested in painting and making collages. I have a sensitivity to colors, shades, textures, and lines. Creating and making things comes naturally to me, and it’s one of the few things I feel confident doing without exerting too much effort. However, as a child, I never considered it a serious career option. I initially pursued Finance for my undergraduate degree, but I eventually realized it wasn’t for me. As a result, I came to the US to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design at ArtCenter College of Design, which ultimately led me into the industry professionally.

As a designer and creative, I am proud of my work and feel fortunate to be able to do what I love. While some may believe that a job is only meant to serve the purpose of making money and be boring, I know that the fulfilling moments that arise from each project are incomparable. Although there are times when exhaustion sets in, the excitement of beginning a new project and the chance to learn something new never fails to invigorate me. I am confident that my passion for design and creativity will continue to drive me towards greater things.

I want people to think that my work and I are versatile and thoughtful. As a designer, I pursue sophistication, but I also place a huge emphasis on the thinking behind the work, which serves a purpose beyond the visual and aesthetic. In addition, I aim to deliver a sense of flexibility or dynamism through my work that can be easily translated across different mediums.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

To me, being creative means having a sense of freedom and freshness. Even though each project may have limitations and restrictions, I appreciate the fact that there are always various creative ways to solve problems. I also enjoy the opportunity to learn different things with each project. Although I work in the design field, I have been able to explore many other industries, such as technology, fashion, and food, which I find very exciting. As we advance in our careers, we not only deepen our expertise in our professional areas, but also broaden our understanding of the world.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to always bring joyful but also meaningful moments to my audience. Whether it’s through graphics or other forms of media, I am eager to continue honing my skills and creating thoughtful, high-quality work. Additionally, I hope to create designs that align more with my beliefs and interests. Compared to other creative disciplines, graphic design is more anonymous and disconnected from its designers. Although graphic design is everywhere, it often serves silently in the background. As a graphic designer, I believe it is important for our own voices and styles to be reflected in the work we create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.xinyishao.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xinyii_shao/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xinyi-shao-7768a4155/