We were lucky to catch up with Zhihan Qian recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zhihan, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I do wish I had started my creative career sooner. During my undergraduate years, I was already a design student, but I often found myself hesitating on the industry’s edge due to self-doubt and various negative emotions. I used to believe that I needed to learn more in school before truly entering the workforce. However, I’ve come to realize that each stage offers unique opportunities and clients.

Embracing the real world earlier allows for a broader learning experience. After all, school can’t teach you everything, and everyone’s path is different. Now, I appreciate that connecting with the real industry sooner allows for a more comprehensive understanding and growth.

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

I’m a graphic designer, diving into editorial, branding, and all things print or digital. What fuels me is turning intricate ideas into visuals that grab attention.

Got my Master’s in Fine Arts from Pratt Institute, sharpening skills in typography, layout, and storytelling. I craft designs that not only look good but tell a meaningful story, whether it’s for a book, a magazine, or some digital playground.

On top of that, I’ve been a design maestro and curator for a children’s charity. Seeing how design and fine art make a difference personally, I’m all about spreading that beauty to as many folks as possible.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I’ve had to unlearn is the mindset of ‘either do it perfectly or don’t do it at all.’ It’s a common struggle, particularly for many East Asian women. While this mindset has driven me to seek excellence and higher standards, it has proven toxic.

Firstly, it has a significant backfire effect. If, during the process, I realize I might not achieve perfection, there’s a tendency to abandon the task entirely. Secondly, this mindset makes it challenging for me to start new projects due to the fear of not being able to excel.

In the design industry, I’ve come to understand that, to some extent, completion is more important than perfection. Embracing this mindset has allowed me to overcome the paralysis of not starting or abandoning projects, fostering a more positive and productive approach.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a designer is the assurance that not a single minute of my life will be dull. Being immersed in the world of design and art infuses my daily life with creativity. I find immense satisfaction in using my skills to enhance the visual aspects of my surroundings.

As someone who thrives on exploring new things, each discovery or interaction with new people sparks my creativity. These constant sources of inspiration provide me with an ever-flowing stream of creative themes, ensuring there’s always a new project waiting for me to explore and complete.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://archivezq.cargo.site/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/zia-qian-graphicdesigner