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

Zitong, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I actually studied economics for my undergrad. The reason I chose that major was because I didn’t do well in the National College Entrance Examination, so I had no choice. But soon after I started, I realized I didn’t like it. I tried to switch majors, but the school rejected my request due to some “school rules,” so I had to stick with it. During that time, I did as many internships as possible to figure out what I liked. That’s when I discovered graphic design. After researching it, I found out about many successful visual artists making a living from graphic-related work. I talked to my parents about pursuing graphic design for grad school. At first, they were shocked and tried to convince me to accept my current path, but after hearing me out and seeing my determination, they decided to trust and support me. I’m forever thankful and grateful for that because without their trust, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Zitong, 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?

Hi, I’m a graphic designer based in Brooklyn, New York. I draw a lot of inspiration from my surroundings and always find something new in my environment. I began my career as an editorial intern at VOGUE magazine while I was in college. That was my first real exposure to the design world, which led me to pursue a master’s in Communications Design.

Graphic design is a diverse field, and my specialties include Creative Direction, Art Direction, Branding/Visual Identity, and digital content creation. I’ve had the chance to work at design agencies, advertising companies, and as an in-house designer at various tech and sports companies.

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

When I started college, I was actually studying economics because I didn’t do well on the National College Entrance Examination and had limited options. Soon after, I realized I didn’t enjoy it and tried to switch majors, but the school rejected my request due to their policies. Despite this setback, I did as many internships as possible to explore my interests.

That’s when I discovered graphic design. I researched the field and learned about many successful visual artists making a living from graphic-related work. I talked to my parents about my desire to pursue graphic design for grad school. Initially, they were shocked and tried to convince me to stick with economics, but after hearing me out and seeing my determination, they decided to support me. Their trust and support were crucial, and I’m forever grateful because without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Starting grad school was overwhelming at first because I had to spend much more time catching up on things that other students had already learned during their undergrad. But thanks to YouTube and Google, I could search for anything I needed to learn and keep up with the pace of the program. The process was stressful, but I’m glad I went through it and did well. So never give up on yourself and just keep going.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to create visually compelling designs that inspire and connect with people on a deeper level. I aim to blend creativity with purpose, using my work to make a positive impact and bring fresh perspectives to everyday experiences. Ultimately, I want my designs to tell stories, evoke emotions, and inspire others to see the world in new and exciting ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://zitongzhao.info/
• Instagram: @tuuong
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zitong-zhao-84018514b/

Image Credits

Lex Rebrand image courtesy &Walsh
TenTen Photosynthesis Brand Identity image courtesy TenTen Photosynthesis & Jiahao Peng