Rui Ma

Good in Graphic Design.

Rui Ma

About Rui Ma

Rui Ma is an award-winning designer, art director, and illustrator based in Los Angeles. With an MFA degree in Graphic Design and over eight years of professional work experience, she focuses on graphic design, art direction, branding, illustration, digital design, print design, experiential design, etc. She also has a passion for photography and fashion. Her work incorporates bold, dynamic typography and illustration, along with energetic colors. Rui started her career in New York City and decided to move to Los Angeles afterwards, she gained years of design experience in both cities. Rui has created work for a variety of clients including Google, Apple, Shopify, Facebook, Sundance Film Festival, PepsiCo, Stella Artois, and many more. Her work is recognized by international awards including A’ Design Awards, IDA Design Awards, GDUSA Awards,World Brand Design Society Awards, CSS Design Awards, CSS Winner, Awwwards, etc.,and featured on Creative Boom, Print Magazine, IdN World, Mindsparkle Magazine, and World Brand Design Society, We And The Color, Design & Paper, etc. Rui’s design inspiration comes from life, music, art, and other creative individuals she has worked with. After work, she spends her time creating digital illustrations and oil paintings and getting her inspiration from reading design magazines, going to museums and art galleries, watching movies, and listening to music. She believes visual communication design through different kinds of media can help solve problems and change the world.

  • Winner of 3 A' Design Awards.
  • Good in Graphic Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Graphic
Emotions Posters

Emotions Posters

Graphic Design

Hanzi and Alphabet Type Design

Hanzi and Alphabet Type Design

Graphic Design

Protect Biodiversity Posters

Protect Biodiversity Posters

Graphic Design

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

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Interview with Rui Ma

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 started drawing and painting when I was five. I have always wanted to be an artist and designer. Sometimes I wish to be a fashion designer or a film director.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
With an MFA degree in design, I focus on graphic design, art direction, branding, illustration, digital design, print design, and experiential design, etc. I also have a passion for photography and fashion. My work incorporates bold, dynamic typography and illustration, along with energetic colors. I started my career in New York City and decided to move to Los Angeles years ago, I gained years of design experience in both cities. I have created work for a variety of clients including Google, Apple, Shopify, Facebook, Sundance Film Festival, PepsiCo, Stella Artois, and many more. My work is featured on Creative Boom, Print Magazine, IdN World, Mindsparkle Magazine, and World Brand Design Society, We And The Color, Design & Paper, etc.
What is "design" for you?
Design changes people‘s life, especially when it with technology. And design helps solve problems and change the world.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
The award-winning design "Eight Ways to Protect Biodiversity" posters. This is a series of poster designs created to raise the awareness of conserving biodiversity and encourage everyone to protect our world and environment.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I like prints, I think print will never die. A lot of great designs can only be seen by print technology, like 3D books and paper art. Of course, nowadays I’d say digital platforms are important as well, like social media. I get inspired from the internet every day.
When do you feel the most creative?
It could happen at any time. Maybe it’s when I watch a movie, listen to a song, or talk to a friend.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Create aesthetic designs, help solve problems and change the world.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
To me, sometimes life is an experience of learning. I learn from people and things, so I get a lot of inspiration from daily life, sometimes it is a song, sometimes it is a movie or a book, or a conversation with a friend, or even an emotion or a dream. I always write it down when a thought comes to my mind, even sometimes it is random, but later this random thought could become a contribution to my next work/project.
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 think I have a certain style because I don’t want to limit mycreativitywhenIdesign, but I like dynamic and colorful designs that would make people happy when they see it, of course, the design with meaningful and functional thoughts behind it at the same time. I like to follow trends but not follow trends. It is always good to learn what good design and art are in the latest trends but it is also really important to keep my work different and unique.
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 live in Los Angeles, California. I like how the art design culture is mixed here in the US. I always get inspired by designs from different culture.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Be honest to let the designers know what exact work you are looking for from them. Let them know when you appreciate their work.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I like to get inspired and brainstorm first before executing the work. Have a deep level of understanding of the problem I am solving and define the best solution.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
The belief of being a designer could help people and the world always makes me positive. Negatives might be sometimes it is hard to balance work and life. And the balance of life and work is really important for being creative.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Adobe Creative Suite. I like get inspiration from the internet, such as Behance, Designspiration, Pinterest etc.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Create a plan on how many hours I put on searching inspirations and crafting the design. Be focused and be efficient.
What was your most important job experience?
When I started my career in NYC, I worked with a lot of very talented and creative people. The experience taught me a lot. That was the most valuable work experience I had.
Who are some of your clients?
Google, Facebook, Apple, Sundance Film Festival, Shopify, Netflix, The North Face, PepsiCo, Stella Artois, SBE Entertainment Group, Patron, YAHOO! Sports, etc.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Designs that have a great concept and make me think about it for a second time.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
My future plan is always to create good designs. Helping brands, companies, people, and the world through visual design is always the goal.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I like working independently but also with other team members like creative directors, copywriters, and strategists, etc.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I have been creating a series of digital illustrations based on my daily life.

Designer of the Day Interview with Rui Ma

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I am an award-winning designer, art director, and illustrator based in Los Angeles. I currently work as a senior designer at MullenLowe U.S., located in California. With an MFA degree in Graphic Design and over eight years of professional experience, I focus on graphic design, art direction, branding, illustration, digital design, print design, experiential design, etc. I also have a passion for photography and fashion. My work incorporates bold, dynamic typography and illustration, along with energetic colors. I started my career in New York City and decided to move to Los Angeles four years ago, I gained years of design experience in both cities. I have created work for a variety of clients including Google, Apple, Shopify, Facebook, Sundance Film Festival, PepsiCo, Stella Artois, and many more. My work is recognized by international awards and featured on Creative Boom, Print Magazine, IdN World, Mindsparkle Magazine, World Brand Design Society, We And The Color, etc.
How did you become a designer?
I started painting when I was five and decided to choose art and design as a major in school. Gained my bachelor’s degree in Art and Design at Beihang University in Beijing and Mater of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York state. My family provides me with the biggest support to pursue my designer dream.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
The top aspects of a project to me are the ideation, the function, and the design aesthetic. Technology and digital tools definitely help present my works in a more realistic manner. My favorite tool is Adobe Creative Suite and I like creating mock-ups to present the work before sending mechanicals to production studios.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I always feel energetic when I design, and the most exciting part I enjoy for the design process is the moment I realize “I love the design!”. When I finish the work, I feel satisfied and proud.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I like reading books and quotes from famous designers, which include visual designers, fashion designers, architects, etc. With writing down the highlights of their philosophy and understanding of design, I get much inspired.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Growing up I have always wanted to be a designer. With an MFA degree in Graphic Design, I started my design career in NYC to pursue my designer dream. I want to create designs that help people, solve problems and change the world.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Stay curious, always ask questions, work hard and smart, be passionate about what you are doing, and always learn.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Keep learning is the key. It is inspiring when you learn from different fields than your expertise, such as reading books or watching a speech from other professional creatives. It is like different shapes merging, the connection of the shapes is where creativity grows.
What is your day to day look like?
I work every day on workdays. I usually create arts after work, either digital illustrations or oil paintings on canvas. Sometimes I like reading digital magazines and getting inspired by posts from design blogs during my day.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Take advantage of the internet. I mostly follow the design trends by browsing digital design magazines and a lot of well-known creative inspiration platforms such as Behance, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. It is always beneficial to be aware of what the latest design trends are, but sometimes it could be misleading if one design is created just to follow the trends.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Good design/product is long-lasting, innovative and future forward.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I define a complete design when I think the ideation, the function, and the design aesthetic are consistent and work well for the purpose. When I receive positive feedback from my audiences, I know that it is a successful work. However, as a designer, I always think there’s room for refining design details and making it perfect.
What is your biggest design work?
The award-winning design "Eight Ways to Protect Biodiversity" posters. It is a series of poster designs created to raise the awareness of conserving biodiversity and encourage everyone to protect our world and environment.
Who is your favourite designer?
Massimo Vignelli. One of his most famous designs is the New York City Subway map. It is definitely a landmark for modern information design. It helps the subway riders get the clearest information in an efficient way.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I lived in Beijing for several years when I was in university. The city is representative of Chinese Culture and the experience of living in this city has become one of the most influential design inspirations for my work. I started my career in New York City, it is the most inspiring city I have ever lived in. The mix of eastern and western culture provides me with so many unique ideas for my life and work.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I believe that good designs can help people and change the world. For example, the award-winning design "Eight Ways to Protect Biodiversity" posters I created are helping and raising the awareness of conserving biodiversity. I hope the design contributes to encouraging everyone to protect our world and environment. I am glad that the work is recognized by many international awards and magazines which is beneficial for communicating the design concept with the public.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
When I got the award, the appreciation and recognition from the award provided confidence for me to continue creating good designs. It's really exciting that my work is recognized by people when it got featured on the award sites.

Extended Interview with Rui Ma

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I study Art and Design at Beihang University for my bachelor's degree in Beijing, China, and gained my Master of Fine Arts degree in graphic design at Rochester Institute of Technology, New York State.
How did you become a designer?
The belief that design helps people’s life, solve problems, and change the world is always the motivation for me to create good designs.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I started drawing and painting when I was five. Growing up I have always wanted to be an artist and designer.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I create branding, digital design, illustrations, editorial design, as well as Experiential Design, etc. I am looking forward to creating more designs with technology.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Believe in your work, work hard and smart, be patient, pay attention to details, and always ask why.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Focus on details, and make the design innovative and different.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design is innovative and long-lasting. Everyone should invest in good design because good design is always getting people inspired and solving problems.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Always be patient about making design details and passionate about what I am creating.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Massimo Vignelli, Saul Bass, Stefan Sagmeister & Jessica Walsh.
What is your biggest design work?
I like the designs by Saul Bass, I get inspired by his design concept “Design is thinking made visual”.
Who is your favourite designer?
The award-winning design "Eight Ways to Protect Biodiversity" posters. The ideation behind this series of poster designs is to raise the awareness of conserving biodiversity and encourage everyone to protect our world and environment.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Stay curious, be passionate about what you are doing, and always learn.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
Maybe an oil painting artist. I love the realistic feeling of painting with brushes, this will never be replaced by digital painting.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design changes people‘s life, especially when it with technology.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
The creatives that I have been worked with are the most influential people in my career.

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