Meet Jo Iijima

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jo Iijima. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jo, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by maintaining a curious mind and paying attention to the small details outside of the screen wherever I go. When I’m out and about, I focus on details like signage, damaged typography, and different languages written on walls. An adventurous mindset makes my days exciting, as I’m always eager to encounter new things. Growing up in various cities has given me the opportunity to think deeply about communication with people. I often reflect on how interactions vary across cultures, occasions, and languages, with some words being unique to their language in written or verbal form. This curiosity drives me to create compelling narratives through dynamic typography that are surprising and offer fresh perspectives to the audience.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I am a multidisciplinary graphic designer based in Pasadena and New York City who specializes in brand identity, typography, and album artwork for artists. I have lived in various cities around the world, including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Vienna, Toronto, and New York City. My willingness to experiment and take inspiration from my own unique background and the world around me brings dynamism to my work. Growing up in different cities has given me opportunities to always think deeply about communication with people. I refer back to my past in different cities and how communication with different people can differ in culture, occasion, language, etc. Some words can only be described by their language in a written or verbal form. This made me curious about creating compelling narratives through dynamic typography that surprises and offers fresh perspectives to the audience. Currently, I am studying the concept of time and its impact on our perception of art and design. I am particularly excited about exploring how typography might evolve over the next 100 years and how it will affect how we communicate. Through my work, I aim to blend my unique background with my passion for experimentation, creating designs that are not only visually striking but also connect with cultural relevance.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Experimentation, self-confidence, and concept building have been three pivotal skills that have impacted my journey as a designer. With so many digital resources like Instagram, Pinterest, and Are.na showcasing a vast array of design trends, it’s crucial to understand and analyze why this specific style is trending but also to push beyond it. The tools we use significantly influence our creations, so it’s essential to ask yourself how changing your tools can alter your creative process. Building self-confidence has been crucial, and personal projects have played a significant role. Working on individual projects helps you understand what feels right for you and how you want to present yourself as a designer. These projects allow for exploration outside the constraints of school assignments or client work, providing a space for self-reflection and genuine expression of your desires as a designer. Effective concept building involves considering the meaning behind each design element, such as shape, color, texture, etc., for yourself and your clients. Reading articles on rebranding and design history has enriched my knowledge and understanding of these elements, helping me create more meaningful and impactful designs. For those early in their journey, my advice is to embrace experimentation and try new things beyond current trends, engage in personal projects to build confidence and develop your unique voice, and continuously educate yourself about design history and industry practices to enhance your ability to create thoughtful and effective concepts.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My mental health and mindset as a creative person have improved over the past 12 months. I used to be anxious and focused on what I lacked, often comparing myself to others and questioning why I couldn’t produce work like other professional designers. This competitive mindset drove me to work hard to improve, but in hindsight, it made me unnecessarily angry at myself and others.
This mindset changed during my internship last year, which gave me time to reflect on my values. I started to acknowledge and compliment myself on my daily achievements and to feel proud and thankful for what I have. Art and design are not competitions or battles; they are about expressing who you are. I have grown to love myself both as a person and as a creative person, and I feel proud of myself every day. This shift has made my life, personally and professionally, more enjoyable and exciting.
Having positive energy and sharing my passion through my work has helped me grow and connect with many people. Loving myself has made me stronger and has brought more positive energy into my life.

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