Meet Tianyue Wei

 

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tianyue Wei a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tianyue, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I was born into a typical Asian family, where it was firmly believed that too much praise would make one proud. As a result, even as I grew up, I constantly questioned my abilities, always fearing that others would eventually discover I wasn’t as competent as they perceived me to be.

Although I realized I had imposter syndrome a long time ago, I never intentionally tried to overcome it because I believe its root lies in self-doubt and a deep sense of self-consciousness. To me, the process of overcoming imposter syndrome is more about finding confidence within myself.

When I was in college, I began my training as a graphic designer. As art students, we were frequently asked to present our work and critique the work of others. This practice of presenting and critiquing had a significant impact on helping me develop a fair and balanced self-evaluation. Within the graphic design community, I also received advice that was beneficial. One of my mentors at Workspace told me that I need to present my work with confidence even if I don’t because people will only love my work when they see I am the one who loves my work the most. I think this is a very touching word for me, and I have to remember his words when I feel the imposter syndrome is affecting me.

At the same time, I was fortunate to be surrounded by people who were both kind and honest with me. Their support and encouragement helped me see myself more clearly and begin the journey toward embracing my own worth. We encouraged each other, and I learned to trust the sincerity of their praise. Over time, this collective support and the habit of self-reflection have helped me gradually overcome the grip of imposter syndrome and build a stronger sense of confidence in my abilities.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a graphic designer who recently graduated from ArtCenter College of Design, with an MFA in Graphic Design. My love of graphic design originated from my passion for reading, as well as my interest in creating things that are helpful to others. What I love about graphic design is the blend of creativity and problem-solving it offers. It allows me to visually communicate ideas while also providing practical solutions. Additionally, I get the opportunity to learn from my clients, gaining insights into fields and perspectives I might never have encountered otherwise.

I am currently working as a graphic designer and UI/UX designer at a non-profit organization, helping them to develop their website. This organization helps international students eliminate the information gap they have with living and studying in the United States. I have been working on my own font design project, with an interest in building a font family that contains both serif and sans-serif. My goal is to finish this font towards the end of 2024. The project can be viewed on my personal website.

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?

The three qualities—ambition, courage, and patience—are essential in the field of graphic design. Ambition doesn’t have to be grand; it can be the small goals I set for myself along the way, guiding me to continuous improvement. I believe that everyone who chooses the path of design is courageous because design inherently involves creativity that challenges existing styles and norms.

As for patience, I think most people will benefit from embracing it, especially in a fast-paced industry like graphic design. Developing a strong design skillset, mastering new tools, and honing your creative vision all take time. My advice to people who are new to graphic design is not to be afraid of exploring your own unique ideas and not to shy away from things that require time and practice. Design trends change rapidly, and we’re often required to produce work within tight deadlines, which can make it seem like mastering everything quickly is the only option. However, that’s not always the case. Some skills and concepts take time to develop, and it’s important to give yourself the space to grow and refine your abilities without feeling pressured to rush the process.

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?

Just like many recent college graduates, I am in a period of insecurity and uncertainty about my future. As an international student, I’ve also had to grapple with a significant question: Should I return to China or stay in the United States? This uncertainty isn’t just driven by the complexities of U.S. immigration policy, but also by my desire to make the best possible choice for my career.

Since we aren’t fortune-tellers, there’s no way to know which path will be better or easier. This lack of clarity makes the uncertainty especially challenging and, at times, quite painful.

I believe this is a tough period for every new graduate because we often feel that the decisions we make in the next year or two will determine the course of our entire lives. However, from what I’ve observed from those who have been in the industry for many years, this isn’t necessarily true. Many people take winding paths, make unexpected changes, and still find their way to fulfilling careers. This perspective has helped me realize that while the future may feel daunting, there’s room for flexibility and growth along the way.

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