Interview with Janny Ji

I've been interested in art since childhood. I came to the US in 2011 to pursue my dream to become an artist. I was trained as an illustrator and painter at the Rhode Island School of Design, where I earned a BFA degree. After working with traditional media, I discovered graphic design during my first job and decided to start on a new path.

The top three aspects of the design process that I consider the most important is conceptualization, brainstorming and sketching. I'm interested in typography and language, so that becomes an aspect that I integrate in a lot of my projects. When designing, I tried not to limit myself to certain types of tools or technologies. I think it's good to be open-minded and keep exploring. I make mock-ups and physical models depending on the project itself.

I enjoy the journey of design the most when designing. It feels exciting, nervous and pleasant at the same time.

Due to the reason that I came from a painting background that I tend to think like a painter when I am designing. I consider that a valuable experience which inspires me to observe, see and think in unexpected ways. Some of my favorite painters including Henri Matisse and Edgar Degas are my biggest influences.

Looking ahead, I am excited to step into the real world again after graduate school, work in an agency setting, collaborate with other talented designers, work on widely ranging projects across media and dimension. I see it as a new journey of learning.

For my daily routine, I usually start my day with a 10k run, listen to the podcast, check design news online and start working on my projects. I enjoy listening to the music while I am working.

I do spend some time learning or getting to know some of the latest design trends, but I tend to not follow the trend and focus on developing my own methodology or design style instead.

A good design is conceptually strong and visually groundbreaking.

From my point of view, I think there will be always a way to improve a design, so I always keep an open tab in my mind to make my earlier designs better. In scenarios that designers were given deadlines, if the design meets my personal standards, I will consider it to be ready.

Massimo Vignelli and Paula Scher are my favorite designers. They are the biggest inspirations to me both conceptually and visually when I am designing.

I grew up in China and studied and worked in the United States for 9 years. I think this kind of nomadic lifestyle encouraged me to be openminded and learn from different cultures. The experience helped me to think in a similar way when designing.

I think participating in a competition like the A' Design Award provides an opportunity for us to learn from other designers, getting feedback from the professionals in the field, share our work with a larger group of audience. I think A'Design Award invites designers from all over the world and creates this learning community which is very valuable. I feel very grateful being the Designer of the Day.

The idea that graphic designers tell stories through a wide range of forms, mediums and experiences and ultimately influence people in different ways motivates me to design. I became a graphic designer because it is a discipline that is similar as painting but not as personal as painting is.

I studied finance during my freshman year and was asked to become a banker, later I changed my major and decided to become a designer.

I am interested in working on projects that relates to literature and poetry.

A good design is conceptually strong and visually groundbreaking.

Good design inspires people, shares ideas, raise questions and makes an impact on the society.

I am excited to working on an exhibition project.

As a learner who is pretty new to the field, I think there is no such way to define success, but rather it is worthwhile to keep trying and failing.

Massimo Vignelli, Paula Scher.

During my journey of studying graphic design, I figured that I grow through asking questions, exploring the unfamiliar, failing and iterating.

I would become a painter.

To me, design is a process of storytelling, translating one thing into another by using various methods in order to communicate an idea or concept to a broader audience.

Two of my biggest supporters are my mentor Fred Lynch and Jennifer Cole Phillips.

I think besides sharing thinkings and visual executions, it is also valuable for designers to share the process behind their decision-making.

I am working on some personal projects that relates to Hanzi. I'm excited to share with the community in the near future.

My ultimate goal as a designer is to have my own studio and collaborate with other talented designers.

I enjoyed working on projects that have a concentration on typography. Because it's challenging and fun to think of visual solutions that use language to structure stories and narratives.

It depends on the project. Some projects only take very short amount of time whereas some projects take time for iterations.

I start with brainstorming, writing down ideas in words on my notebook. I tend to not draw or create visuals at the beginning stage of each project.

“God is in the details” – Mies van der Rohe

I think design set trends.

I enjoy exploring with different technologies, some are familiar and some are very unfamiliar.

Adobe Creative Suite, Processing

When I see a new great design or product, I am interested in the idea behind the execution and the journey that leads to the execution.

My ideal design partner is someone who is motivated, talented and smart. I do believe in co-design.

My mentor Ellen Lupton, Jennifer Cole Phillips and Abbott Miller.

Looking Closer: Critical Writings on Graphic Design, Thinking With Type.

I would want to meet with Massimo Vignelli.

My favorite color is orange, favorite place is my studio, favorite food is almond, favorite brand is Muji.

I motivate myself by learning from interesting ideas and inspiring projects.

I was interested in art the most among other subjects.

To me, design is a process of storytelling, translating one thing into another by using various methods in order to communicate an idea or concept to a broader audience.

I enjoy creating works that possess strong concepts and unconventional forms.

I'm familiar with working with print media, tactile objects, but I enjoy exploring motion graphics, coding and technologies that can push me further.

I usually feel the most creative at night.

During designing, I focus on exploring forms that are both conceptually strong and visually groundbreaking. I enjoy struggling, failing and iterating during the process.

When I design, I feel excited and calm at the same time.

I feel grateful and motivated when my designs are realized.

There is no certain way to define a successful design. To me, the most important thing is to satisfy myself and to create something that surprises myself.

As designers, we should consider how our works may raise questions, motivate people and share opinions relate to environmental or social issues.

The "design field" is constantly evolving and influenced by the development of technology, human behavior and other factors. The future of design is full of possibilities.

My last exhibition was in Nantes, France in March.

I gather inspirations from all kinds of ways. I find observing, drawing, taking photos, reading and writing very helpful.

I don't have a strict style that I tend to work with, but rather I adore clear, smart and bold ways of communicating ideas.

I grew up in China and studied and worked in the United States for 9 years. I think this kind of nomadic lifestyle encouraged me to be openminded and learn from different cultures. The experience helped me to think in a similar way when designing.

Being a young designer myself, I think there are endless opportunities for us to learn things. It's important to have motivation and willingness to learn and explore.

Being a designer means you have chances to create things out of nothing, to make your ideas come true, although sometimes the workload could be heavy.

My "golden rule" is never giving up, learning from failing.

I collect things for all sorts of inspirations: movies, paintings, drawings, novels and theoretical books.

I am still learning to manage my time in better ways. I tend to work super late and pull all-nighters a lot.

It depends on the project. Some projects only take very short amount of time whereas some projects take time for iterations.

I just received my MFA degree in graphic design from the Maryland Institute College of Art in May, 2019. I am looking forward to start working on exciting projects in the real world and start an adventurous journey.

I develop my designs myself when it is a personal project, but I also work as a team and collaborate with other designers on commercial projects.

You can email me at "jji01@mica.edu" or "jannyjidesign@gmail.com".