We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yucen Yao a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Yucen, 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.
When I was in my first year of the master’s program in graphic design at CalArts, I constantly struggled with imposter syndrome. The first year was incredibly tough for me. Back in China, I had always considered myself a relatively accomplished young graphic designer with some impressive work experience. However, being surrounded by so many top-tier, brilliant creatives from around the world was a completely different experience.
The coursework at CalArts was intense. We had to complete a fully developed project every two to three weeks while also juggling additional assignments from elective courses. Moreover, during my first year, I didn’t yet know what specific area of research I was passionate about. I had always known I wanted to use my design skills to make the world a better place, but I didn’t have a clear direction yet.
The CalArts graphic design master’s program has both 2-year and 3-year tracks. Those with no graphic design background can complete the program in 2 years, while others typically take 3 years. The 2-year students join the second year of the 3-year students’ program. The year I joined, only another student and I were new to the cohort, joining 11 other students who were already familiar with each other.
As a foreigner from a non-English speaking country, I not only had to overcome language barriers and cultural differences, but I also felt the need to prove to my teachers and peers that my graphic design and critical thinking skills were good enough to deserve studying at CalArts. Fortunately, my cohorts were very friendly and welcoming, and so were my teachers, who were excellent at guiding each student based on their individual needs.
The second year was much better. I leaned on my faith more, believing that God would guide me on the right path. I also made lifelong friends through my thesis project. They were so encouraging and kept telling me I was doing an excellent job. My project truly helped people and my community, and I started receiving more recognition from my peers and teachers. I began to feel good about myself. One of my teachers even commented on my thesis, saying, “She makes things glow.” This really boosted my confidence and made me feel that I was just as good as my other cohort members.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Hello! I’m Yucen Yao, a graphic designer, illustrator, and multimedia visual artist from Nanchang, China. I recently earned my master’s degree in graphic design from CalArts, and my journey has been nothing short of diverse and exciting. My work spans various settings, including branding studios, creative agencies, and even a food and beverage company. I’ve also freelanced for clients in different industries and taught kids to paint and explore creative art projects.
What excites me most about my work is the ability to use design as a tool for positive change. My personal projects often focus on environmental conservation, sustainability, and social issues, aiming to raise awareness and inspire action. I believe that design can be a powerful medium to connect with people and nature, making the world a better place without ego or moral superiority.
One of the most exciting projects I’ve worked on recently is the Gooseday festival, an eco-festival co-hosted with Felix Lipp from the Student Union Sustainability Committee at CalArts. This event included a series of interactive and educational activities designed to engage students and faculty in discussions and actions towards a more sustainable future. The festival was a huge success, attracting over 150 attendees and even drawing people from as far as Santa Monica College. It was incredible to see the community come together and embrace sustainability in such a vibrant way.
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?
Not Afraid to reaching out to people: As an introverted person, reaching out to people and organizations I wanted to collaborate with was scary. I had to learn to be open and share my ideas, even at the risk of rejection. Surprisingly, many people were eager to help, and even when they said no, there was often room for negotiation. For example, one of my major projects, Gooseday, involved co-hosting an eco-festival with Felix Lipp from the Student Union Sustainability Committee. I also received a grant from Justin Hogan of the CalArts Commission for Sustainability. Before starting this project, I didn’t even know these departments existed.
To develop this skill, start by taking small steps. Reach out to classmates, professors, or professionals in your field for advice or collaboration opportunities. Practice sharing your ideas and be prepared for both acceptance and rejection. Each interaction builds confidence and opens doors to new possibilities.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
Yes, I am always excited to partner and collaborate with like-minded individuals and organizations who share a passion for environmental sustainability and creative design. Collaboration is at the heart of my work, and I believe that by joining forces, we can achieve a far greater impact than working alone.
I am particularly interested in collaborating with:
Environmental Organizations:
Groups focused on conservation, sustainability, and promoting eco-friendly practices. Together, we can create educational materials, organize events, and launch campaigns to raise awareness and drive positive change.
Fellow Designers and Artists:
Creative professionals who are passionate about using their talents to address environmental and social issues. Collaborations could involve joint projects, workshops, or exhibitions that highlight the power of design in making a difference.
Educators and Institutions:
Schools, universities, and educational programs interested in integrating sustainability into their curricula. I am eager to work on developing resources, conducting workshops, and creating engaging educational content for students of all ages.
Businesses and Non-Profits:
Companies and non-profit organizations looking to adopt more sustainable practices or enhance their existing initiatives. I can offer design services to help create impactful branding, marketing materials, and product packaging that align with eco-friendly values.
If you are reading this and are interested in collaborating, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to reach out to me via email at yucenyao@alum.calarts.edu or connect with me on Instagram @yucen.creates. Let’s come together to share ideas, inspire each other, and create meaningful change through our collective efforts.
Looking forward to the possibility of working together and making a positive impact on our world!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://design2024.calarts.edu/designer.php?d=yucen-yao
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yucen.creates/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/yucen-yao-ba63aa266
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrg9-dGECNnqGHhZz4VWiEg
Image Credits
River zine photoshoot: Steven Feng Gooseday poster photoshoot: Felix Lipp Other design/Illustration/photoshoot: Yucen Yao
