Tell us about where you studied and some of your highlights and favourite lecturers.
School: ArtCenter College of Design, Highlights: The teaching of design methodologies and practices for integrating different media. (e.g. Creative coding breakthroughs), Professor: Brad Bartlett
What weird and wonderful things are you obsessed with right now that inspires your creative work?
Street imperfect design moments, Internet meme culture, Inane jokes.
Favourite travel destinations that inspire you ?
- Basel, Switzerland: Basel is the holy grail for anyone who values precision, structure, and timeless design. As the birthplace of the grid system and Helvetica, it embodies the Swiss design ethos—clean, functional, and deeply intentional. While I haven’t yet walked its streets, Basel has always been a mental anchor in my design journey. Basel isn’t just a place; it’s a philosophy. It teaches me that great design is invisible—it doesn’t shout, it simply works. One day, I hope to experience its museums, its architecture, and its design legacy firsthand, to fully absorb the rigor and elegance that define it.
- Los Angeles, U.S: Having spent nearly three years in LA, I’ve come to see it as a city where design is alive, chaotic, and endlessly evolving. It’s a melting pot of influences—Hollywood glamour, street art, surf culture, and tech innovation—all colliding to create a visual language that’s as diverse as the city itself. LA taught me to embrace imperfection and experimentation. Whether it’s the bold typography on a Sunset Boulevard billboard or the raw energy of a graffiti-covered wall in the Arts District, LA’s design ethos is unapologetically expressive. It’s a city that doesn’t follow rules; it creates them. Living there pushed me to think beyond conventions and to see design as a living, breathing entity that reflects the culture around it. LA is where I learned to take risks and to let my work tell a story.
- Hangzhou, China: Hangzhou is my roots, my foundation. Growing up in this city, I was surrounded by its poetic landscapes and rich cultural heritage—the misty West Lake, the delicate art of calligraphy, the timeless elegance of silk, and the quiet ritual of tea. These elements have seeped into my design sensibility in ways I’m only beginning to fully understand. Hangzhou taught me that design isn’t just about aesthetics. This city is where I learned to appreciate the beauty of restraint and the power of cultural storytelling. Hangzhou reminds me that to create something meaningful, I must first understand where I come from.
Tell us about your tools / what tech, programs, equipment and environment do you do your best work in?
Typically, you’ll need a brain, hands, and a chilling room. The brain for the ideas, the hands to make them real, and a room that’s just the right balance of comfort and inspiration—somewhere between cozy and ‘wait, I might never leave this space again’.
Of course, if you want all this to happen a little faster, you’ll need a computer (preferably one that doesn’t freeze mid-project), a trusty notebook (for all those brilliant ideas that hit at 2 a.m.), and the entire Adobe family plus a few extra tools.
Which 3 creatives do you look up to and why?
- Josef Müller-Brockmann: A legend who shaped the very foundation of modern graphic design, especially through his work with grid systems and typography. His clean, logical approach to design has influenced generations of designers.
- Jessica Walsh: QUEEN!!! If design had a rockstar, Jessica would be the one smashing through convention with bold typography, explosive color, and that signature “don’t take yourself too seriously” vibe. She’s the kind of creative who makes you realize that design doesn’t have to be stiff—it can be loud, fun, and absolutely unforgettable. I got the chance to work with her, and let’s just say, she’s the real deal.
- Beeple (Mike Winkelmann): Beeple is the digital art maverick who took the art world by storm with NFTs and his daily creative practice of making a new piece of art every single day for over 13 years (talk about dedication). His work isn't just art—it’s a glimpse into a future where pixels, technology, and creativity collide in ways that make you think, laugh, and sometimes, question the world. From weirdly surreal landscapes to politically charged graphics, Beeple’s creations are often weird, wild, and always thought-provoking.
What are your biggest hopes and dreams for 2025, both for the world and your career?
I dream of projects that feel effortless but also meaningful, where the joy of the process is just as important as the final result. And of course, finding that work-life balance, so creativity flows without burning out.
—
