Wenxu Zhao

I was born in China and have loved drawing and storytelling since I was a child. My artistic journey began with a blackboard handcrafted by my grandfather and the illustrated storybooks that accompanied me throughout my early years. As a child, I would often sit quietly by myself, fully immersed in drawing or reading—especially children’s magazines rich with illustrations, like Children’s Literature and Story King. These early experiences sparked my passion for visual storytelling. Later, I pursued a double major in Mathematics and Art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This interdisciplinary education gave me both structured thinking and a keen sense of visual observation. What started as a hobby led me to spend long, focused days in the studio. Eventually, I pursued an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay at the School of Visual Arts in New York, which solidified my desire to dedicate myself to visual storytelling as a lifelong pursuit. I didn’t always intend to become a designer or artist, but my sensitivity to life, instinctive understanding of color, and desire to express my inner world led me to find consistent joy and self-affirmation in creating. Choosing the path of art was ultimately a way to build emotional bridges between people. I hope my work can awaken softness, imagination, and hope in the hearts of those who see it.

Design is the visual language of emotion. It transforms ideas into something that can be truly felt. It carries both structure and poetry, shaping not only experiences but also meaning and memory. For me, design is more than just a form of expression; it’s a pathway to empathy and connection. It balances function with beauty and often reveals deeper spiritual layers through small details.

I enjoy designing immersive visual experiences, especially those that blend illustration, natural elements, fantasy, and emotional storytelling. I'm particularly drawn to works that are vibrant in color, rhythmically dynamic, and rich in visual symbolism, pieces that allow viewers to step instantly into a dreamlike world. I also love creating narrative-driven characters that not only support the story but also evoke emotional resonance and spark the viewer’s imagination. Whether through digital media or traditional hand-drawn techniques, I hope each design becomes an emotional touchpoint, something that invites the audience to pause, feel, and connect with their inner world.

My favorite design is Whispers of Winter, a generative art series I created using p5.js. It was my first project that deeply combined emotional expression with code, translating the feeling of winter into a living, visual meditation. Each piece is generated through algorithmic layering of textures and controlled randomness, making every outcome as unique as a snowflake. In this work, I programmed custom brush functions, a spray brush to simulate soft snowfall and pencil-like lines to evoke the skeletal structure of wind-swept branches. This contrast between organic softness and angular form captures the emotional essence of winter: gentle, fragile, yet resilient. The entire visual system balances chaos and order, structure and spontaneity, just like the season itself. To me, Whispers of Winter is not just a technical experiment, but an emotional practice. It allowed me to explore how code can become a language of feeling. It also marked a turning point in my artistic journey, where I discovered a deeper connection between nature, introspection, and generative logic.

One of my favorite tools is the digital illustration platform Procreate, which allows me to intuitively capture inspiration and create spontaneously. I also love the tactile quality of traditional hand-drawing, working with a variety of media including acrylic gouache, watercolor, and colored pencils. The textures and brushstrokes of each material allow me to express emotions with greater sensitivity. In the realm of generative art, I use p5.js to create algorithm-based works, blending rhythm, form, and inspiration from nature into dynamic digital compositions.

I tend to feel the most creative during emotionally rich or sensitive moments. For example, at night, especially right before falling asleep, dreamlike ideas often emerge naturally, and visuals become more vivid. I also feel deeply inspired on days with beautiful weather, when I'm surrounded by nature and feel a sense of lightness and connection. Sometimes, a specific moment that moves or saddens me, whether it’s a scene, a melody, or an unexpected emotion, can also become a powerful spark for creativity.

A successful design must first be able to evoke a genuine feeling. It should resonate emotionally with its audience and spark some kind of response. At the same time, it needs to be useful. It should clearly communicate its message or function and solve a specific problem. For me, the most ideal design exists at the intersection of emotional impact and practical clarity. It doesn’t need to be complex or flashy, but it must be intentional, sincere, and capable of forming a connection with people. A truly successful design is memorable, invites the viewer to pause, and creates a subtle sense of inner resonance.

I first look at whether it feels sincere, intentional, and immersive, rather than simply following trends or relying on surface-level aesthetics. I also pay close attention to whether the design conveys a unique emotion or idea and whether it guides the viewer into feeling or resonance. I believe a good design is not defined by how complex or glamorous it is, but by how clearly, accurately, and warmly it expresses the creator’s intent. If a design moves people visually, leaves an emotional impression, and maintains clarity in its function, then it carries the essential qualities of strong design.

I believe that designers are not just creators of visuals, but also messengers of values and awareness. Creating with empathy and a strong sense of responsibility is essential. Design shouldn’t only serve short-term attention, it should also consider its long-term cultural and societal impact. Every visual decision and every way we communicate can influence how people perceive certain topics, communities, or even themselves. On an environmental level, designers should be mindful of material usage, production methods, and the visual system’s dependence on resources. Whenever possible, we should adopt sustainable strategies and reduce unnecessary consumption. On a societal level, we must stay aware of diverse cultural contexts, lived experiences, and modes of expression, avoiding stereotypes and aesthetic dominance, and making space for inclusive and pluralistic visual languages. I believe design can be a gentle force for social progress. It doesn’t have to be grand in scale, but it must be sincere, and always conscious.

Design is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary, deeply integrating with fields such as technology, psychology, ecology, and human behavior. The traditional role of the “designer” is constantly expanding, no longer just a builder of interfaces or visuals, but also a curator of emotional experiences, a guide of interaction paths, and a participant in cultural storytelling. Design is shifting from static to dynamic, from image to process, and from passive visuals to active interaction.

My inspiration comes from a wide range of sources, primarily nature, emotions, dreams, elements of Chinese culture, and small moments in everyday life. I enjoy walking, sketching, and taking photos in different natural environments. Those sensory experiences offered by life and nature are my most powerful creative fuel. My sensitivity to the beauty hidden in everyday corners often triggers visual associations. For me, creation begins with feeling, then transforms into imagery. It’s about allowing emotion and sensation to flow freely through the tip of the brush.