We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rozi Zhu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Rozi, 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 am a multidisciplinary designer and always work on lots of personal experimental projects to explore innovation techniques with different mediums. My creativity usually comes from tiny daily life observations, it can be as small as dish washing. I usually start with a rough concept in my mind, with a bunch of guessing and questions and followed by a bunch of researching and prototyping. For example, in my Bubble Type project, I started with observing the soap bubbles in my sink.
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?
My name is Rozi Zhu, I am currently a Designer on the Instagram team at Meta. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with renowned studios such as Studio TheGreenEyle, Dazzle Studio, and BUCK. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to a diverse range of projects, from the high-profile Dream in Dior Campaign to captivating exhibitions like Art and Ideals and MTV VMA’s Art Exhibitions.
One aspect of my journey that I’m particularly proud of is the recognition I’ve received for my work. I’ve been honored with awards such as the TDC Ascender, Print Awards Handlettering and Type Design First Place and Editors’ Choice, Creativepool Annual Awards Silver in Branding & Bronze in Graphic, TDC Competition Winner, Communication Arts Interactive Winner, and Tokyo TDC Prize Nomination, among others. For me, these awards represent more than just recognition—they signify a commitment to excellence and a dedication to pushing creative boundaries. Participating in competitions has been instrumental in my career growth, helping me to refine my craft, exchange ideas with peers and industry experts, and stay ahead of emerging trends.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Authenticity – I believe staying true to myself is crucial for developing my unique style. While it’s natural to admire the work of others, I always trust my instincts and allow my own creativity to shine through the designs.
Resilience – Success often comes from dedicated and consistent effort, coupled the ability to overcome challenges and learn from failures. I always embrace setbacks as opportunities for growth and remain steadfast in the face of obstacles.
Contribute – For me, as a speaker, mentor, and jury member, giving back to the design community is essential for my growth. Through lectures, mentoring, and judging industry events, I have fostered collaboration and innovation, propelling both myself and the community forward.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
As a typography creative, I’ve witnessed the rapid development of AI over the past 12 months. In addition to the widely-known functionalities like generating images and videos, I’ve utilized Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques to work on a project called ‘Handy Type.’ This project revolutionizes type design by integrating interactive hand tracking data into its dynamic font creation process. Departing from traditional pre-designed typography, Handy Type enables anyone to craft personalized fonts from anywhere, at any time. I believe the future of AI is boundless and I look forward to using AI to create more novel projects.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rozi.design
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rozi.525/
Image Credits
Rozi Zhu
