Today we’d like to introduce you to Shengjie Wu
Hi Shengjie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My design career is an exploration of chasing dreams. I have been interested in graphic design since high school, but for various reasons, my undergraduate major was studying the impact of big data on society. To pursue my dream of becoming a designer, I decided to return to school after graduating from undergraduate school. Fortunately, I received an offer letter from my dream school, Art Center College of Design. During my design journey at ACCD, I learned a lot about design.
After living in Los Angeles, which is full of car culture for three years, I gradually developed a strong interest in cars and thus established my two major passions – graphic design and cars. Therefore, my graduation thesis is to study how the typeface on the dashboard influences the driving experience. After graduation, I saw a job vacancy for a graphic designer at a car museum, and I knew it was my dream job. After 2 months of connections, interviews, and a series of preparations for the application for this job, I finally got the opportunity to freelance with them. After helping the exhibition to create graphic art for 2 months. The design director offers an opportunity to work full-time with time. This was a dream come true for me, and now, I am still excited to create visual storytelling in the Petersen Automotive Museum.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It is a road full of opportunities but also full of challenges. During this journey, I saw many possibilities. With the support of people around me, I could study in the field I like. The diversity of design made me see the importance and possibilities of design. However because my undergraduate degree is cross-disciplinary, I need to spend more effort to keep up with my peers. Because of many things that have happened in recent years, these possibilities are full of unimaginable challenges. Including the impact of the epidemic on society and the impact on job hunting for recent graduates. When I just graduated, I had been looking for a job for almost half a year but had no reply from companies. This could be a moment that broke my confidence and mentality.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a graphic designer specializing in typography, branding, and book design. I am fascinated by using graphics and text to bridge the gap between individuals around the world, providing opportunities for everyone to explore various fields.
Since I was a child, I have had the habit of collecting things. Every piece in my collection tells a story. I collect Hot Wheels because I’m a car enthusiast. I love clothing tags because I’m fascinated by unique label designs. Refrigerator magnets from different regions record my journeys.
My passion for collecting has shaped my aesthetic sensibilities and fueled my creative fire. The act of gathering a diverse array of objects provides me with a rich visual library. Immersing myself in this tangible world of collected artifacts helps me to gain fresh perspectives and a heightened sensitivity to detail. This collector’s mindset allows me to approach each project with a fresh outlook, offering designs that meet the brief and bring a unique perspective and connection that sets the design apart, and now, creating and collecting have become a way of life for me.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite memory is enjoying fish balls and watching NBA games at 711 with my best friend by using the pocket money we saved for a week.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shengjiewu.info/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shengjie_design
