Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Yao.
Hi Candice, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Hi Voyagela, I’m Candice Lan Yao, a spatial experience designer currently pursuing my degree at Art Center. I’m excited to share my story with you.
My roots trace back to China, but my path led me to California during my middle school years. Unlike some who are born knowing their passion, I discovered mine through a simple love for sketching. This is the only thing that can keep me on the chair for 8 hours. I like seeing how each stroke can affect a piece and eventually add up to define an object or emotion; that was the point I realized that art was speaking to me.
I did not realize one’s design can speak to others until I encountered Gaudi’s Sagrada Família. The vibrant of the Nativity facade strongly contracts with the solemn of the Passion facade. It ignited my passion for storytelling through spatial design.
Life’s been a whirlwind of exploration for me. During high school, I dabbled in tons of volunteer work. And when COVID hit, I found myself back in China, joining a non-profit animal protection organization. I first started with design work and class planning; as the organization expanded, I soon found myself leading teams and tackling multiple projects.
We cooperate with local schools to design classes that educate kids about nature conservation. Additionally, we collaborate with local government and museums to organize events and exhibits that raise awareness about the rare species in our surroundings. It became a platform for community engagement and cooperation. All these events involved tons of communication and cooperation; I slowly discovered my passion on working with people. I love helping my team members discover their own passion, exploring their abilities, and helping people find a way of working with each other. I enjoy seeing me and my teams grow together along the way. That was the point I discovered, that working with a team on meaningful projects and helping others is something I am willing to dedicate my whole life to.
Now, as a spatial experience designer, I’m eager to merge design with human connection. I believe in the power of design to shape our interactions with the world around us. Beyond aesthetics, I wish to craft environments that resonate with people, enriching their experiences and fostering a sense of belonging.
Ultimately, spatial design isn’t just a profession for me; it’s a deeply personal expression of who I am and what I believe in. Whether it’s finding inspiration in the natural world or drawing from cultural influences, my passion for design is at the core of everything I do, driving me to create spaces that not only inspire but also hope to enrich the lives of those who inhabit them.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are definitely some challenges. As I mentioned earlier, I was not certain about my passion and my future path. I was totally speechless when my high school counselor ask about my major choice. All I can say was:” Something about art and design I guess?” My growing path can be summarized in one sentence: I don’t know what I will be doing, but I will try my best on what I am doing. So, I pay attention and participated in every little thing, and surprisingly thing I did became a tiny steppingstone that led me to where I am today. Helping decorated schools gives me confidence; the club I started led me to know more people, who eventually offered me valuable opportunities. Even just little things like picking up my brother from his weekly classes help me discover a location in a mall where kids and parents like to hang out during the weekend. Later on, became the location of our animal conservation public education event. Who can imagine a girl who helps decorate a classroom becoming someone who helps plan a huge event, who secretly sketches in the back of a math homework become one displaying work in a school’s gallery? It sounds like a cliché but every little thing you do does matter! Even if you don’t know your path yet, being open and passionate in everything you do will eventually help you find what you love!
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love that it is a very walkable city. So many cute retail and parks to explore, makes walking very casual and relaxing. Allow one to empty their head and really feel life. Weekend only feels real when you see all these people walking in the street.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice.ly.design/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/candice-yao-92bb38205
Image Credits
Tina Tang
Robbie Li
