We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Weiying Ma a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Weiying , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
On my journey to become a designer, I made many efforts. I have always had a passion for creativity. Drawing has had an innate attraction to me since I was young. Though societal pressures initially led me to a “practical” career, my undergraduate studies reignited my passion for design. And despite the occasional struggles and roadblocks, I have never lost my love and passion for the arts. Since I switched to visual communication during my undergraduate years, my foundation wasn’t solid. So, I decided to pursue a two-year Master’s graphic design program. I wanted to study in an environment rich in artistic atmosphere but also with a commercial aspect, which led me to ArtCenter. Through two years of study there, my professional skills were enhanced, and I also gained access to industry resources unavailable in non-art schools. Now, I’ve joined a creative design company and hope to continue advancing in the design field.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
As a multidisciplinary designer who majored in graphic design, I believe that graphic design shouldn’t be confined to just a 2D surface. It should be more diverse and have more possibilities. ArtCenter College of Design, where I studied at, encourages experimentation and innovation, which has allowed me to play around with a lot of new tools in design. The more I learned, the more I wanted to incorporate all these different mediums in the language of graphic design. I want to make designs that are not only looking good, but also communicate a clear message, and evoke emotion.
I am very willing to try different design mediums. For me, the medium is not limited; as long as it can effectively convey the brand concept or the essence of the work, any medium is worth trying. I’m personally very interested in 3D and motion graphics.
I am currently working as a junior designer at Nippon Design Center USA Inc. in Los Angeles. My works have garnered recognition from esteemed organizations such as TDC, ADC, Graphis, Design 360°, Communication Arts, and many others. My projects include motion graphic design for a digital agency in Japan, 3D/CGI production, and pictogram design for the Experience Japanese Pictograms project, BANLAN in China, and projection installation design for Brunswick Court in Pasadena, among others.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
My suggestion is to interact more with people in different design industries. I know many designers, especially those like me whose second language is English, are shy to express themselves and prefer to focus on refining their own skills. However, I still recommend that everyone go out and chat with different people to get more design information; there might be unexpected gains.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
I’m grateful for the unwavering support from my parents and the emotional strength given by my friends, allowing me to chase my dreams without worries. I’m also thankful for my independent spirit, allowing me to overcome challenges and steer my life’s direction.
Additionally, I really like an artist named Olafur Eliasson. He is an artist who creates large-scale, interactive installations. His art isn’t just about visual experience; it engages touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight. He manipulates light as if it’s a sculpting material to craft effects with shadows and colors. His creative philosophy has influenced my design thinking: how to inspire people’s senses to fully experience a design and how my design can resonate with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://weiyingma.work/
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/weiying-ma
