Tell us about yourself and your work.

The question of where I’m from has a complicated answer. I am Indian, but I was born in Taiwan and grew up in China where I went to an American high school. My entire life I have been surrounded by different cultures and stories that have creatively inspired me from a young age. When I grew older I fell into the world of design and never looked back. But storytelling was my first love.

My favorite thing to do when I was a kid was to go to the movies. It may seem simple, but living in the great firewall of China came with its challenges. I loved going to the movies because of what it showed me through storytelling. I was introduced to new worlds, perspectives, and possibilities. As a designer, I try to create a narrative in my work that best engages the audience and fulfills the purpose of the design.

One of my first professors at SCAD always reiterated that designing is not just a creative outlet but also a service. And I didn’t truly understand why till recently. At the start of the pandemic, I was diagnosed with leukemia. I have now completed treatment and am in remission. However, through that experience I learned that designing is not just about the visuals and aesthetics but is a way to engage with people and share a story.

What agency or designer inspires you?

Emily Oberman is a designer I have always looked up to. When I first learned about Pentagram, I found a talk she did about how all good design has a level of wit. And that is something I try to take with me whenever I am creating anything. It reminds me to have intention behind everything and not to take things too seriously. Which helps with life in general as well.

What is your ideal job at the end of school?

Design and film are two things I would love to continue to do outside of school. Right now, I would love to find an opportunity that lends itself to both. Whether it’s working at an agency that specializes in film marketing or on the design team at a production company. However, my dream job further down the line would be to work on the film marketing team at A24.

How do you deal with creative blocks?

I am a very food motivated person. Many times when I am stuck it’s simply because I haven’t eaten yet. But when it’s not, I get up from my desk and avoid thinking about what I am working on. What I do in that time is random and depends on the day, but coming back to things with a fresh mind and fresh pair of eyes always helps me.

If you could interview any creative, who would it be?

Karin Fong is someone I have always wanted to interview. The work she has done and what she has accomplished at Imaginary Forces is nothing short of legendary. I would love to ask her about her career and how she’s navigated it. And pick her brain about her creative process and how she conceptualizes the amazing title sequences she creates.

How do you want people to remember your work?

I want my work to tell a relatable story that draws people in. I want it to feel human so people can engage with it and connect with the message being delivered.

If you had to rebrand a logo which one would it be and why?

I used to work at Lush as a sales assistant back in Hong Kong. From that experience, I felt their branding system didn’t aligned with the brand’s personality. And fortunately I had the opportunity to design a new visual system for them for one of my classes.