We were lucky to catch up with Yunqi Zhao recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yunqi, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

My creative design career emerged from a deep passion for design, initially sparked by the captivating colors and imagery found on labels, shoeboxes, and garments. From a young age, I was drawn to the world of art and began honing my skills in drawing, laying the groundwork for my creative journey. In 2015, I took a definitive step towards pursuing my passion by officially embarking on a career in design. As I furthered my education at SCAD Atlanta, specializing in graphic design and exploring fashion as a second major, my perspective expanded, and new possibilities emerged.

While both fashion and graphic design captivated me, I ultimately chose to channel my energy into the graphic design industry. Through continuous learning and applying aesthetic principles and technical skills to various projects, I developed a comprehensive understanding of typography, branding, packaging design, and illustration. With dedication and deliberate practice, I mastered the art of graphic design, laying the foundation for a successful career as a graphic designer.

Today, my work is a testament to the immense fulfillment I find in transforming ideas into visually compelling designs. I draw inspiration from a diverse range of design influences, constantly seeking to push the boundaries of creativity and create meaningful experiences through my work. As my journey evolves, I am excited to explore new creative avenues and contribute to the vibrant creative community in Atlanta.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I specialize in graphic design with an emphasis on branding, typography, logo design, packaging design and illustration. I am passionate about creating visually appealing and impactful designs that convey the essence of a brand or message. I am committed to continuous learning and keeping up with the latest design trends and technologies. I am constantly seeking new inspiration and exploring innovative approaches to design. This commitment to growth allows me to provide fresh and original ideas to my clients and bring a unique touch to each project I undertake.

In my work, I strive to combine aesthetics with functionality to ensure that my designs are not only visually appealing, but also effective in communicating the intended message. I work with the R&D and marketing teams and have primary responsibility for international markets, providing creative and design for products and online/offline campaigns in the US, Singapore, and Dubai, while leading a design team in China to do some design for the Chinese market.

Besides my own career, I have my own insistence on my fashion collections, I think it’s cool to express ideas through clothes and I’ve won awards in fashion and been featured in several magazines. One thing I am particularly proud of is my ability to adapt and work across different design disciplines. Having studied graphic design and fashion, I bring a unique perspective and a multidisciplinary approach to my work. This allows me to think outside the box and inject creativity into every project, no matter the industry or medium.

In addition, my international background and exposure to different cultures has influenced my design aesthetic and enriched my understanding of global design trends. This global perspective allows me to create designs that resonate with a wide range of audiences and cultures.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As an international student pursuing graduate studies in graphic design and fashion, my journey has been marked by a series of challenges that have ultimately shaped my resilience and determination.

Relocating to a new country, culture, language, and education system were the initial obstacles. I had to familiarize myself with the differences between the United States and China and find my place in the vibrant creative community of Atlanta. In addition, moving away from home and adjusting to a new lifestyle required significant adjustment and emotional fortitude.

Academically, balancing graphic design and fashion is a rewarding but demanding endeavor. Coursework, projects and internships in both disciplines required excellent time management and a persistent work ethic. I faced rigorous challenges, but these experiences served as catalysts for personal and professional growth.

Despite the bumps along the way, I am proud of the obstacles I overcame in academics and life, and I graduated and launched my career with very good grades, proving my dedication and passion for my chosen field of study.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to express myself authentically and to create a deep emotional connection with my audience. Art is my escape from the confines of everyday life, and through my work I am able to explore my inner emotions and thoughts and present them to the world in a unique way.

Through my artwork, I am able to cross the barriers of language and culture and create a tacit connection with the viewer. This interaction and empathy brings me great satisfaction when the audience can feel the emotions and stories embedded in my work. Seeing an audience stop in front of my work for a long time or hearing them describe my work with words of praise and approval are my most precious rewards as an artist.

In addition, art is a continuous process of learning and growth. Each new project is an opportunity for me to challenge myself and explore new techniques and ways of creating. In the process, I continue to develop my own artistic language and style, and derive great satisfaction from it. Through constant experimentation and trial, I find that my creative abilities continue to improve and I am able to better express my thoughts and emotions.

All in all, for me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the ability to express myself authentically, to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level, and to convey emotion, inspire thought and resonate through the power of art. Art has given me a unique platform to express myself freely and to continue to learn and grow in the process of creating. This is my most precious and fulfilling experience as an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yunqizhaodesign.com/
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/alexzhao0001design www.instagram.com/zhi_studio_official
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yunqi-zhao-154b56191/

Image Credits
Luran Hou, Tingting Shi, John Warner, Wenyi Li, Cindy Dong, Yanni, Fangyu Ma