A big congrats to Jing Ong, one of our 30 TDK Awards’ winners for 2018. A Shillingtongraduate from Brisbane, her work was chosen by Johan from Brand Brothers: “Lightweight, refreshing and poetic work, combined with impressive illustration work and a beautiful mastery of space. Jing particularly seduced me with her Joy Luck Club lettering, which is a real risk-taker and avoids the current fashion effects”. We asked Jing to answer a few questions for next years TDK Awards’ hopefuls.
What are some of your earliest creative memories and what lead you into design?
I recall childhood memories of afternoons spent with grandpa at the dining table, sipping on milo and drawing on notepads with a ballpoint pen. He loved to draw (mostly trees) and I was intrigued – I think my love for drawing grew from there!
I actually took the long way round to get into design. After graduating from business school and working in non-creative fields for a period of time, I couldn’t deny the fact that I wasn’t completely satisfied. I was doing a bit of illustration on the side and dreamt of making creative work my full-time hustle. Finally, I discovered Shillington and made my jump into the world of design.
Who are your top five design crushes right now globally?
These are my top fives <3. They are all legends producing awe-inspiring work:The Colour Club
Any passion projects/collabs you would like to share?
I recently started a new Instagram account called @visualnoms, where I post illustrated recipes and food-inspired content. This is a personal project that combines my love for drawing and food!
What advice would you give students starting out?
There will be hurdles of every sort but always look on the bright side – to be challenged is a good thing. And don’t be afraid to put yourself and your work out there.
Where to find Jing Ong online.
Instagram: @jingw_ong
Website: jing-ong.com
