We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Qianying Niu. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Qianying below.
Qianying, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
The sensitive and empathetic nature of my personality has always set me apart from other children since I was young. After graduating from high school, my parents sent me to study in the United States, where the experience of studying and living abroad broadened my perspective. The United States, a country known for its diversity and inclusivity, has nurtured many artists. As I embarked on my journey at the Chicago Art Institute, engaging in dialogues with diverse artists further cultivated my empathy.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a talented and dedicated global brand packaging experience designer. I excel in utilizing various mediums and have demonstrated exceptional skills in packaging experience design in the fast-moving consumer goods industry. I have interned at design agencies and renowned top 10 domestic and international FMCG companies in Connecticut, Chicago, Paris, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, giving me a broad perspective on the design industry.
In the FMCG field, I am an outstanding packaging designer. In my personal life, I am an independent artist. I formally define myself as an artist, which I discovered during my graduate studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. During my time at the school, I learned to become my authentic self. My design inspiration comes from my life experiences and the unconscious behaviors and actions of people around me, which I interpret from a unique perspective to create designs that address pain points. My art is influenced by my cultural background, upbringing, and my distinctive gender identity.
I have always aspired to be a creative designer and artist, and I believe these two roles are not mutually exclusive. Art is about self-expression, while design is about considering others. Both art and design prompt me to reevaluate and reflect on everyday life.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
QUALITIES: Engaging all five senses and observing/listening attentively is a quality I consider to be very important. I sincerely feel and appreciate the ordinary things that happen in life and try to think about how to improve them through design, starting from a small starting point.
SKILLS: Design, to me, is a magnifying glass through which I view the world. Even the smallest object or action can be made more rational through design. Additionally, design enhances my empathy, as warm and well-crafted designs bring a smile to people’s faces and have a positive social impact.
AREAS: I enjoy working on packaging design because packaging, though a small medium, is tangible and something people encounter throughout their day. I appreciate designs with warmth, unconscious elements, and rich cultural significance. I believe these aspects provide positive emotional value and a humanistic experience for society.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
As an artist, maintaining a steady flow of inspiration is a significant challenge. Along my journey of seeking inspiration, I’ve encountered many setbacks, prompting me to adopt various strategies to aid my creative process. Among these is travel—I enjoy venturing into unknown territories and exploring unfamiliar places, where I often stumble upon diverse designs that I consciously collect. Photography is another passion of mine; capturing intriguing moments in life often sparks profound reflections. Additionally, I have a strong affinity for cultural elements such as totems and murals. Furthermore, I regularly break through my cognitive barriers, engaging in cross-disciplinary experiences to perceive the world differently, thus aiding in the discovery of inspiration for my creations.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niugraphiks/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qianying-niu-8247b41a7/
Image Credits
Qianying Niu
