Conversations with Lisa Wei

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Wei.

Hi Lisa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
I was born in Nanchang, a middle-size city locates in Southern China. Since childhood, I had natural interest in drawing and art, but I took these interests as a side hobby. No one from my family works in art field, and I was assuming that I will choose a career that is more ”serious” than being an artist. 

During my sophomore year in high school, my friend ask me to accompany her to portfolio day at an art school. Since I didn’t have a portfolio, I started talking to any random professor who didn’t have people lined up at their table. Out of many professional works they showed me from various institutions, graphic designer students’ portfolios catches my attention the most. These conversations are the beginning point of my design journey. 

After high school, I went to Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) for a Bachelor degree in graphic design. MICA’s liberal environment inspired me to explore my own interest. I learned all the basic theories of graphic design and tried all the other interesting classes that I could possibly take. Other than traditional graphic design, I also developed a strong interest in creative coding, and art history at MICA. 

After graduating from MICA with a BFA in graphic design and minor in art history, I went to ArtCenter College of Design for MFA degree. The environment at ArtCenter was distinctly more pragmatic, focusing on the application of graphic design skills in a systematic manner. This contrast between MICA’s exploratory freedom and ArtCenter’s structured approach has been instrumental in shaping my design philosophy and practice. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Navigating my career path hasn’t been entirely smooth, with moments of doubt about my chosen direction, particularly given the limited understanding of designers’ value outside the design world. Until today, most of the people from my family had little idea about what designer do. They all asked me: “What’s the point of a graphic designer?”. While it seems impossible to change the general public’s impression of graphic design, I found my actions gradually changed people’s opinions around me. The change of their attitude was a huge encouragement to me. Overall, my journey has been marked by a mix of individuals who have made things harder, yet, significantly, I’ve been fortunate to encounter more people who have supported and encouraged me through tough times. This support has been a constant reminder of the luck I feel to have such positive influences in my life. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As someone that has a broad interests, my design works takes a unique angle of narrative. These unique angles also give my design a friendly but slightly off-beat vibe. 

I find myself particularly drawn to branding and editorial design—fields that inherently prioritize storytelling and narrative construction. With a minor in art history, I strongly believe that while graphic design has its value in the commercial world, it also plays an important role in communication knowledge, story, and experiences. This perspective informs my approach to each project, guiding me to create work that not only meets commercial objectives but also contributes to a broader discourse. 

Meanwhile, I had a passion in experiment in creative coding. By combine new technology with traditional discipline, I enjoys pushing the boundary of my design practice. I think one privilege of designer is that we can always explore new things and have fun in our projects. Therefore, I always seize opportunities in my projects to try something new. Therefore, seeing new method or new narrative in design always gets me excited. 

Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned throughout my life journey is the importance of seizing every opportunity and inspiration that comes my way. I think life was not only made of rational decisions but also surprises and unexpected opportunities. These seemingly disruptive moments have made my path riskier yet infinitely more enjoyable. This openness to the unknown has not only enriched my life with unique experiences but has also infused my work with a depth and creativity that stem from a wide array of influences and encounters. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tianyuewdesign.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/lisa_ty_wei/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tianyue-wei-6795b817a