We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jia-Ru Lin ("JL").

Jiaru Lin, a Senior Art Director at KMC Corp. in New York, is a distinguished creative force, collaborating with iconic brands such as Tom Ford, GUCCI, Louis Vuitton, Coach, ZARA, Balmain, Comme des Garçons, and Maison Margiela. Her design excellence is recognized globally, earning prestigious honors such as the iF International Design Award from Germany, the A’ Design International Award from Italy, and the ADAA/Adobe Design Achievement Awards from the USA, among 15 other international distinctions. Serving as a judge in 12 design juries, including esteemed panels like the ADC Art Directors Club Awards Jury, Indigo Design Awards Jury, and iLuxury Muse Awards Jury, further showcases her industry influence. Originally from Taiwan, Jiaru holds an MS degree in Communications/Packaging Design from Pratt Institute in New York. Her diverse portfolio spans art direction, product design, packaging design, graphic design, digital/social media design, visual merchandising, store design, jewelry design, and teaching. Beyond her multifaceted design expertise, she is engaged in sustainability, artificial intelligence, crypto, science, volunteering, travel, and culinary exploration worldwide. Certified in the AI Products and Services program from MIT, Jiaru showcases a dedication to innovation. Her boundless curiosity and passion for life are integral to her creative approach.

Jia-Ru Lin Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jia-Ru Lin.

Designer Interview of Jia-Ru Lin:

DI: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

JL : I was always interested in art and design. After college, I was more certain to be a designer.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

JL : I focus more on packaging design, branding and communications design.

DI: What is "design" for you?

JL : Have good taste and be visually picky.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

JL : Conceptional, eco-friendly, and minimalist works.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

JL : I like design that is conceptional and have a little humor.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

JL : Cosmetic packaging design.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

JL : Eco-friendly materials.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

JL : After getting a GOOD sleep.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

JL : Look GOOD at least.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

JL : Comfortable.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

JL : Appreciate and happy.

DI: What makes a design successful?

JL : When the designer is proud of his/her design.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

JL : The theme, purpose, and uniqueness.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

JL : I think designers are problem solvers. Sometimes like a visual doctor too!

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

JL : I think connecting with the environment, technology and humanity will be a trend for future designs.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

JL : It was for graduate Thesis at Manhattan Center, New York.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

JL : Everyday observations.

DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

JL : Minimalist style. I try to keep only the important elements in design and get rid of the unnecessaries.

DI: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

JL : I am from Taiwan but am currently living/working in New York.

DI: How do you work with companies?

JL : Do my best as a designer, and try to convince the best final design selection that I made to companies/clients.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

JL : You can have your opinion in design, but don't critique visuals(type, color, materials, etc) if you don't understand.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

JL : I listen to what clients wants. Then sketch up based on my experience/intuition. Thirdly do research. Then design/revise/refine.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

JL : Cosmetic/skincare items, books, kitchen utensils, light, toys.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

JL : Work, eat, sleep and OTHER.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

JL : Try to challenge yourself outside your comfort zone. Don't be afraid to experiment and make mistakes in design.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

JL : Positive is that you'll always get inspired, negatives is that it's hard to satisfied by visual(because it's hard to get to perfect).

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

JL : Trust my instinct and taste.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

JL : Designer's taste and passion.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

JL : Adobe Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

JL : Aim on what is the most important, and then target the minors.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

JL : It depends on the scale and deadline. It can be from a week to a year!

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

JL : How did you come up with the idea?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

JL : At Baron&Baron, New York. I worked with amazing Art Directors and people there! It was a foundation of my design skills and taste.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

JL : I had worked on GUCCI, NARS, Revlon, and other fashion brands.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

JL : Packaging Design. It's what I'm good at and passionate about.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

JL : Keep improving myself as a designer.

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

JL : As a team.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

JL : I am currently working on Tom Ford beauty project.

DI: How can people contact you?

JL : jiaru27@gmail.com