We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ying Tung Lin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ying Tung, appreciate you joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
I grow up in an artist family. My aunt, and uncle are art teachers, and my mom is a graphic designer. I went to many significant natures, buildings, and museums while traveling, which cultivates my aesthetic and creative path. There is a question I always think about the difference between me and others: Is the world still meaningful to me if I don’t appreciate or create art? The answer is no. I see the world through my eyes and analyze it with an open heart. I feel touched when I see something unique and beautiful. Art and creations are not only touchable things to me. They are stories, inspirations, and philosophies that fulfill my life of human being experience. The other difference about me is that I cannot stay long in the office room and seats. I cannot stare at the screen for the whole day. I want to see things, I want to experience texture and color and listen to stories. There are always thoughts in my head running. I never want to be the same as others. I want to make something different and put my hand on it. Maybe a regular job will fill me up more, but creating lifts me to a higher level of self-satisfaction.
Ying Tung, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have an undergraduate background in industry design and an MA degree in fashion design. They are relatively different fields in the design industry. The reason why I wanted to dip into industry design is because I wanted to make products that can improve our lives and be presentable at the same time. In other words, I would like to change the world and make it more beautiful. For fashion design, making cloth serves the wearing purpose and displays as pretty as I can make it be. They are different but share the same ideas. After all, I aspire to make things with functionality and my aesthetic. The strength of me being a creator is I have an optimistic and open heart. I think outside of the box and there is no “fail” and “disappointment” in my dictionary. I call it “experimental”. You will never know where it will lead you if you never try. I don’t see things on only one side. I see them with possibility. Therefore, anything can inspire me. My design aesthetic is bold, colorful, and optimistic, which represents who I am.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As I said, my gift is also a philosophy to me. Being an artist, I think differently. I don’t follow what the folk follow. I dig to the truth, and I think independently. I analyze the implications behind every story. I consider myself more sentimental, and sympathetic than others. It makes my mind stronger. I like to be around people to feel the joy and embrace the stories, but I also enjoy myself without feeling alone. That is to say, it did not take me too long to identify myself while growing, either in the present or the future I believe. I always know what I stand for and being myself. In addition, the other reward of being an artist is that I collaborate with people from different backgrounds. I like to travel and make friends because I enjoy the world, and feel every moment genuinely with my heart.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I come from Taiwan, an Asian country. Most people from my homeland have stereotypes of being an artist or doubt that women cannot be successful in careers on their own. It even happened here, in the USA. I wanted to show the world that we should be heard and respected more. I can make things different in a good way. My minor step might bring a big change to some. That is the reason why I have my creative journey. Furthermore, I crave to show my point of view and personality to the world.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yinng_lin/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yingtung-lin-6a5300195/
- Other: Product design portfolio: https://issuu.com/49822/docs/_________3
Image Credits
Photographer: Shan Shi Photographer: Hsing Chia Hsieh