We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Mengyu Cao ("MC").
Mengyu Cao (MC) is the founder of YiQi Hanzi. She has been making creative Chinese calligraphy to help people learn Chinese with visuals and story-telling. Her YiQi Hanzi products include physical flashcards, online learning applications, and merchandise. She started her design journey as a Graphic Designer and then stepped into Digital Product Design for the past decade.
Mengyu Cao Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Mengyu Cao.
Mengyu Cao Design - YiQi Hanzi Flashcards Teaching Cards
Mengyu Cao Design - Chinese Zodiac Typography
Designer Interview of Mengyu Cao:
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?
MC : I hold a BFA in Graphic Design and an MFA in Design and Technology. I have been a designer since then. I always wanted to be a designer. I love art, but I’m more drawn to design that serves people and spaces rather than solely as a means of self-expression.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MC : YiQi Hanzi offers a unique and visually engaging approach to learning Chinese characters. They employ design thinking and drawings to break down complex characters, their radicals, and components, while providing insights into their historical and cultural significance.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MC : Design is both a skill and a tool for creating, improving, and inspiring.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MC : I enjoy designing culture-related projects as they allow me to immerse myself in the culture and help spread design so more people can feel and experience it.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MC : Probably a logo when I was a Graphic Design student.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MC : My favorites are still pen and paper.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MC : When I drive, I think a lot.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MC : The early research and digging. The more thorough the early research and exploration, the smoother the later process becomes.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MC : Excited, frustrated, satisfied
DI: What makes a design successful?
MC : It serves the goal and the purpose. It's successful for both end users and clients.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MC : A truly good design goes beyond functionality and aesthetics; it seamlessly integrates purpose and emotional resonance.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MC : Designers have significant responsibilities toward society and the environment, as our work shapes the way people live, interact, and experience the world. We need to bring inclusivity, empathy, and ethical impact to the society. And make sure to hold sustainability and resource efficiency during our design.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MC : From my experience, things I see and hear. I prioritize discovering new things, experiencing, learning.
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?
MC : I live in San Francisco. I come from China. Chines culture has always been part of my design.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MC : I always start my design with research to get to know the subject really well, to fully understand the goal and purpose. Then it's many rounds of diverging and converging, a lot of iterations and feedback loop.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MC : Creativity and innovation, Problem solving, and Empathy.