Conversations with Wanqing (Rita) Zhang

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanqing (Rita) Zhang.

Wanqing (Rita), we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
If I had to choose one word to define my journey here, it would be “curiosity.” My childhood experiences with learning musical instruments and painting planted a seed in me—a seed that grew into a deep sensitivity to aesthetics.

This sensitivity sparked an endless curiosity about the “designed” nature of the world around me: how animations were created, how beautiful clothes were conceived, and why I felt compelled to collect countless pens and pencils simply for their beauitful packaging.

As I grew older, that early hobbies into a clear desire: to join the community of designers and bring beauty to life. This desire led me to Pratt Institute, where my innate wonder was transformed into systematic design thinking—gaining the ability to define problems and craft meaningful solutions through design.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road here has never been smooth.
New York is a place full of talent and competition. I’m constantly thrilled by the chance to meet or simply listen to designers at events, to understand how they think and draw inspiration from the seemingly ordinary details of life. Yet, this exposure also brings waves of self-doubt. Questions like “Am I good enough to survive here?” or “Was it the right choice to stay?” cross my mind daily. Sometimes it feels like I’m holding onto a daydream, afraid I’ll wake up with regrets.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a Creative Designer currently working within a marketing agency, which gives me a broad and dynamic playground. My work spans multiple disciplines, from motion graphics and brand identity to social media campaigns and video editing. I thrive on this variety—it keeps me learning and allows me to connect different creative dots.

What I’m most proud of is a motion design project I led for the Web3 brand Lit Protocol. The challenge was to visually explain their complex technology in an engaging way for the Twitter audience. The resulting piece wasn’t just creatively fulfilling—it directly drove 141,000 views on the platform.

I always start from business objectives to define the design problem, then translate that strategy into compelling visual narratives. This approach, I believe, is what sets me apart. My diverse skill set allows me to act as a connector—I can own a project from the initial strategic brief all the way through to delivering the polished final asset.

More importantly, that innate curiosity about how things work, which has fueled my journey from the start, now powers my professional practice. I’m not just making things look good; I’m solving communication challenges and using design as a systematic tool to create real impact.

What’s next?
My vision for the future centers on two main goals:
First, to join a nice design studio where I can grow through collaboration with a high‑skilled team;
Second, to translate that professional expertise into design outcomes that deliver tangible business impact and cultural resonance for clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ritazhangdesign.wixsite.com/portfolio
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wzhang-rita

Image Credits
SUNCAST Branding—Flint Collective NYC