Meet Kangyi (Joey) Wu

We were lucky to catch up with Kangyi (Joey) Wu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kangyi (Joey), first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome started for me back in high school, when I first came to New York from China. I was still learning how to express myself in English while trying to fit into a completely new culture. In the classroom, I often felt like an outsider, quiet even when I had ideas, because I doubted whether my voice carried the same weight.
That feeling followed me through the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and later the School of Visual Arts in New York. Surrounded by talented peers, it was easy to compare myself and feel like I wasn’t enough. When I first started JOEY, my thesis project, I doubted myself constantly — was it too simple, too personal, too ambitious? Every critique felt like proof that I wasn’t ready.
But through that process of experimenting, testing, and hearing critique again and again, I slowly learned to separate self-doubt from growth. Critiques weren’t evidence that I didn’t belong — they were part of how the work could get stronger. Over time, seeing JOEY resonate with people gave me the confidence that my perspective mattered.
I still hear the imposter voice sometimes, but now I know how to answer it: with the risks I’ve taken, the work I’ve put into the world, and the communities that support it.

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’m a graphic designer and the founder of JOEY, a sustainable fashion venture I first created as my MFA thesis at the School of Visual Arts. JOEY transforms old denim and unwanted bags into new, functional pieces — from totes and crossbodies to smaller accessories. Each bag carries a story, and what excites me most is that sustainability here isn’t abstract; it’s personal. The denim you once lived in becomes something you can carry forward.
Right now, I’m focused on bringing this project out of the classroom and into real life — testing it through pop-up events, refining the service model, and collaborating with other creatives. At the same time, I also work as a brand designer for multiple clients, helping businesses shape their identities through logos, packaging, and visual systems. That dual focus keeps me inspired: on one side, I’m building my own sustainable brand; on the other, I get to dive into different industries and aesthetics through client work.
For me, design is most exciting when it creates connection — whether it’s between people and their memories, or between a brand and its audience. Both JOEY and my freelance projects are ways of exploring that idea and pushing it further.

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?

1. Adaptability.
Coming to New York in high school, then moving through different schools and cities, taught me how to adjust quickly to new environments. That adaptability became essential in design — whether it’s shifting directions after a critique or figuring out how to launch a thesis project in the real world. My advice: don’t resist change. Lean into it and treat it as part of the process.
2. Storytelling.
I used to think design was just about making things look good. Over time, I realized the real power is in the story behind the work. With JOEY, it’s not just a denim bag — it’s someone’s memories transformed into something new. For anyone starting out: practice telling the “why” behind your work as much as the “what.” It makes your work resonate on a deeper level.
3. Resilience.
Imposter syndrome, rejections, endless critiques — they’re all part of the creative path. What matters is finding ways to keep going, even when you’re doubting yourself. For me, resilience came from small wins: a bag that turned out right, feedback that connected, people who believed in me. My advice: celebrate those small wins. They add up, and they’re what keep you moving forward.

Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?

I’ve been fortunate to have many people shape my path, but if I had to name who has been most helpful, I would start with my grandfather. He was the first person to teach me how to see creativity in everyday life. He didn’t use the word “design,” but through him I learned how to be resourceful, how to repair and repurpose, and how to approach challenges with imagination instead of fear. That mindset has stayed with me through every stage of my journey.
Equally important have been my teachers and mentors — especially during my time in Chicago and New York. In design school, critiques can feel harsh, and in the beginning I often took them as proof that I wasn’t good enough. Over time, I realized that those critiques were gifts. They taught me resilience, the ability to listen, and the courage to try again and again. Without those mentors who pushed me while also believing in me, I don’t think JOEY would have come to life.
So for me, it’s a combination: the early influence of family who grounded me in creativity, and the mentors who challenged me to keep raising the bar. Both shaped the way I face obstacles today — with persistence, openness, and a willingness to learn.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kangyijoeywu.cargo.site
• Instagram: @joeywukangyi_art
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kangyi-joey-wu-7263572aa/
• Other: Thesis website: https://joeybag.cargo.site