Janny Ji

Specialized in Design.

Janny Ji

About Janny Ji

Janny Ji is an award-winning designer with backgrounds in graphic design, illustration and fine arts. She explores typography, visual storytelling, and critical thinking through a range of media in her design practice. She has worked for clients in the tech, finance, art, food and healthcare industries and helped them to create stories through brand systems, campaigns, spaces, motion graphics, packaging and digital platforms. Janny’s work has been recognized by the ADC, TDC, Graphis, STA, Adobe, GDUSA, Applied Arts, 3×3 Illustration, and the Society of Illustrators.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

Nominate Your Work for the A' Design Award.

Sign-Up

Interview with Janny Ji

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?
I was into drawing when I was a kid. After I grew up, I studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design for my undergraduate degree and later I received a Master's degree in graphic design from the Maryland Institute College of Art. My dream was to become a painter when I was a small child.
What is "design" for you?
To me, design is a process of storytelling, translating one thing into another by using various methods in order to communicate an idea or concept to a broader audience.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I enjoy creating works that possess strong concepts and unconventional forms.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I'm familiar with working with print media, tactile objects, but I enjoy exploring motion graphics, coding and technologies that can push me further.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
During designing, I focus on exploring forms that are both conceptually strong and visually groundbreaking. I enjoy struggling, failing and iterating during the process.
What makes a design successful?
There is no certain way to define a successful design. To me, the most important thing is to satisfy myself and to create something that surprises myself.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
As designers, we should consider how our works may raise questions, motivate people and share opinions relate to environmental or social issues.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
The "design field" is constantly evolving and influenced by the development of technology, human behavior and other factors. The future of design is full of possibilities.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I gather inspirations from all kinds of ways. I find observing, drawing, taking photos, reading and writing very helpful.
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?
I don't have a strict style that I tend to work with, but rather I adore clear, smart and bold ways of communicating ideas.
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?
I grew up in China and studied and worked in the United States for 9 years. I think this kind of nomadic lifestyle encouraged me to be openminded and learn from different cultures. The experience helped me to think in a similar way when designing.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Being a young designer myself, I think there are endless opportunities for us to learn things. It's important to have motivation and willingness to learn and explore.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Being a designer means you have chances to create things out of nothing, to make your ideas come true, although sometimes the workload could be heavy.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
My "golden rule" is never giving up, learning from failing.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I collect things for all sorts of inspirations: movies, paintings, drawings, novels and theoretical books.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I am still learning to manage my time in better ways. I tend to work super late and pull all-nighters a lot.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends on the project. Some projects only take very short amount of time whereas some projects take time for iterations.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I just received my MFA degree in graphic design from the Maryland Institute College of Art in May, 2019. I am looking forward to start working on exciting projects in the real world and start an adventurous journey.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I develop my designs myself when it is a personal project, but I also work as a team and collaborate with other designers on commercial projects.
How can people contact you?
You can email me at "jji01@mica.edu" or "jannyjidesign@gmail.com".

Designer of the Day Interview with Janny Ji

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I was trained as an illustrator in undergraduate at the Rhode Island School of Design. I started studying graphic design at the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2017. This year is the second year since I entered the field. I've worked as an in-house designer for a tech startup in New York, a freelancer for school and other individuals, a graphic design intern for Pentagram.
How did you become a designer?
I've been interested in art since childhood. I came to the US in 2011 to pursue my dream to become an artist. I was trained as an illustrator and painter at the Rhode Island School of Design, where I earned a BFA degree. After working with traditional media, I discovered graphic design during my first job and decided to start on a new path.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
The top three aspects of the design process that I consider the most important is conceptualization, brainstorming and sketching. I'm interested in typography and language, so that becomes an aspect that I integrate in a lot of my projects. When designing, I tried not to limit myself to certain types of tools or technologies. I think it's good to be open-minded and keep exploring. I make mock-ups and physical models depending on the project itself.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I enjoy the journey of design the most when designing. It feels exciting, nervous and pleasant at the same time.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Due to the reason that I came from a painting background that I tend to think like a painter when I am designing. I consider that a valuable experience which inspires me to observe, see and think in unexpected ways. Some of my favorite painters including Henri Matisse and Edgar Degas are my biggest influences.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Looking ahead, I am excited to step into the real world again after graduate school, work in an agency setting, collaborate with other talented designers, work on widely ranging projects across media and dimension. I see it as a new journey of learning.
What is your day to day look like?
For my daily routine, I usually start my day with a 10k run, listen to the podcast, check design news online and start working on my projects. I enjoy listening to the music while I am working.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I do spend some time learning or getting to know some of the latest design trends, but I tend to not follow the trend and focus on developing my own methodology or design style instead.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
A good design is conceptually strong and visually groundbreaking.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
From my point of view, I think there will be always a way to improve a design, so I always keep an open tab in my mind to make my earlier designs better. In scenarios that designers were given deadlines, if the design meets my personal standards, I will consider it to be ready.
Who is your favourite designer?
Massimo Vignelli and Paula Scher are my favorite designers. They are the biggest inspirations to me both conceptually and visually when I am designing.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I grew up in China and studied and worked in the United States for 9 years. I think this kind of nomadic lifestyle encouraged me to be openminded and learn from different cultures. The experience helped me to think in a similar way when designing.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
I think participating in a competition like the A' Design Award provides an opportunity for us to learn from other designers, getting feedback from the professionals in the field, share our work with a larger group of audience. I think A'Design Award invites designers from all over the world and creates this learning community which is very valuable. I feel very grateful being the Designer of the Day.

Extended Interview with Janny Ji

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I studied illustration as an undergraduate at the Rhode Island School of Design and later studied graphic design as a graduate student at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
How did you become a designer?
The idea that graphic designers tell stories through a wide range of forms, mediums and experiences and ultimately influence people in different ways motivates me to design. I became a graphic designer because it is a discipline that is similar as painting but not as personal as painting is.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I studied finance during my freshman year and was asked to become a banker, later I changed my major and decided to become a designer.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I am interested in working on projects that relates to literature and poetry.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A good design is conceptually strong and visually groundbreaking.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design inspires people, shares ideas, raise questions and makes an impact on the society.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
As a learner who is pretty new to the field, I think there is no such way to define success, but rather it is worthwhile to keep trying and failing.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
During my journey of studying graphic design, I figured that I grow through asking questions, exploring the unfamiliar, failing and iterating.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
To me, design is a process of storytelling, translating one thing into another by using various methods in order to communicate an idea or concept to a broader audience.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Two of my biggest supporters are my mentor Fred Lynch and Jennifer Cole Phillips.

Stay Updated with Latest Design News

By clicking Sign-Up, you are opting to receive promotional emails from A' Design Awards, World Design Rankings, World Design Consortium and Designers.Org You can update your preferences or unsubscribe any time.

You are now at the right step

Join Designers.org & Start Promoting Your Design Worldwide.

Create an Account