We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative My Linh Mac ("MLM").
My Linh Mac is an award-winning graphic designer who specializes in creating brand identity, and strategy development through original visual concepts across numerous platforms, including digital, print, and social media. With over 7 years of expertise, Mac has worked with many brands including SCOPE, Darryll Schiff Fine Art, Tigerkubz, Amazon Kindle, and SHEIN -the biggest online clothing retailer in the world. Mac's artistic creations can be found in galleries, institutional art museums, art hotels, and numerous private collections all over the United States and in over 9 other countries. Mac currently serves as a jury member for more than 8 international Art & Design Awards across the globe, including the Creative Communication Award (C2A) in LA, the Communicator Award, W3 Award, and Davey Award presented by the Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts (AIVA) in New York City, and more. To learn more about her current participation in the World Guinness Record Exhibition- BE ** PART organized by the Atelier Montez Gallery in Rome, Italy, visit her website: www.mylinhmac.com
My Linh Mac Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by My Linh Mac.
My Linh Mac Design - Co Ba Coffee Packaging Design
Designer Interview of My Linh Mac:
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?
MLM : I was fortunate to find my calling and passion for the art at a very young age and have my family's support to pursue art education in different countries such as Singapore, South Australia and Midwest USA. Until when I attended university, I was inspired and warmly welcomed to the design community and found my new passion for design. It was challenging to balance both professional fields at first and still now but at the same time, it feels rewarding to be where I am at today.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MLM : NA, I represent myself for this competition but it one of my ambitious career goals to run my own reasonable- size design company in the near future.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MLM : To me, design is a language of its own, this language ‘translates and transform’ creative ideas to reality.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MLM : Branding and packaging design are my main interest and focus, but I am open-minded about trying new design media/platforms.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MLM : I found myself drawn into design that has personality besides high quality presentation and functionalities.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MLM : NA, I worked with private clients and educational institutions so far.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MLM : It’s a tricky question, I value both traditional aspect of hand-made and the latest technology has to offer.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MLM : Open space studio during daytime with a lot of natural lighting, I really enjoy positive energy from spaces like local coffee shops too.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MLM : All the details that regard functionalities, storytelling components and personality/characters.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MLM : It’s a big mix of all emotions and excitement stood out the most, I'm doing what make me happy afterall.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MLM : I feel accomplished, joy and grateful when my creative receives positive recognition.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MLM : In my humble opinion: Functionalities, Storytelling components and Personality/characters.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MLM : I would go with functionalities and presentation first.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MLM : It’s varied from project to project, some projects have more or less creative freedom. With projects that give me more creative freedom, I personally prefer to invested more time on strategizing how to deliver more positive messages (more in humanity aspect rather than political aspects) through my designs.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MLM : Constantly evolving with many surprise elements inspired by cultural diversity.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
MLM : My last exhibition was in Chicago and Mission Viejo California earlier this Spring and my next exhibition will be at Czong Institute of Contemporary Art Museum in Gimpo-South Korea this Fall.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MLM : My inspirations come from many places, countries I traveled to, cultural values and other creatives individuals/experts that I looked up to from around the world.
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?
MLM : I would word my design style as ‘catchy, refreshing, sophisticate and conceptually artistic’
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?
MLM : I currently based in Chicago- USA, before that, I grew up in Australia, Singapore and Vietnam. There are pros and cons for growing up in 3 different continents of course, they enrich my knowledge and experience with other cultures. Unfortunately, at the same, being abroad for so long somehow ‘thin out’ my bond with my true root and heritage as Vietnamese, but then because of that it make me treasure my childhood memories and my family in Vietnam more.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MLM : NA, I work with creative institutions, agencies and clients.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MLM : I can sum it up that it's a long process which involve resilient, patience with brainstorming, testing, trials, evaluation, adjustment, problem solving to get your works reaching its best stage/form.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MLM : My e-pen, tablet, sketchbook, pencil and computer
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MLM : NA [Unclear question]
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MLM : Stay organize, stay consistent on learning new things with open mind.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MLM : Coming from creative background as artist, there are less room for creative freedom with being a designer, but I don't see it as a negative thing at all.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MLM : Stay consistent on learning new things with open mind
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MLM : Communication, organization, open-minded
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MLM : I work with 9 different adobe software and Maya AutoDesk, I aim to learn more software outside of the adobe suite to expand my horizon.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MLM : My tips are: 1) Pre-plan a schedule and give yourself deadlines for each design/production stages to stay on track. 2) Allow yourself as much time possible to review, revise your design at it final stages. 3) If possible, allow yourself to have a few daybreaks between final editing, this way, you can review your works in a fresher set of minds. 4) It is always helpful to have constructive criticism 5) Communication is key.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MLM : It is depending on the project size, members involved and requirements, small projects usually take me 1-3 weeks to complete with client’s approval, while big branding projects can take up to 6 months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
MLM : “What can we do to take it to the next level?” is my favorite question.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MLM : On site observation and getting advices from the experts helped me grow tragically
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MLM : NA [Need permission of clients before reveal]
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MLM : I enjoy work that have fun/playful theme and concepts that provide rooms for creative freedom.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MLM : I have many plans and international collaborations is the most immediate one right now.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MLM : For this award, I submitted my solo works.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MLM : I am currently working on a branding project for a start-up art gallery in Chicago.
DI: How can people contact you?
MLM : Through my website and direct recommendations.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
MLM : None. Thank you