Interview with Claudia Chung for Hai Lai

From what my family and I remember, I've always had a creative spirit. Art and crafts always fascinated me since I was a child. I clearly preferred art class over subjects like history. My true passion for design and art was evident to my parents as well. I was lucky to have their support wholeheartedly. Because of this, I never really considered any other career path. It felt natural for me to become a designer today.

I have been working as a graphic designer for over 6 years since graduating from college. I've had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with various brands, assisting them in creating value through designs. My projects have encompassed large-scale Brand Identity Design, event and editorial designs, as well as digital designs. To me, design is not solely about aesthetics; it holds the power to effectively convey messages. I am genuinely motivated by the strategic and clear communication achieved through visual language.

Creativity is doing things in a new way. It can be a new solution to a problem or a new way of thinking that somehow might inspire another person in the world to create.

A creative idea or design can be a solution to a problem, a response to an action, or cater to the interests of a specific group of people. Creative ideas have the power to inspire individuals, challenge and disrupt industries, and bring about positive impacts to both businesses and society as a whole.

They can drive innovation, spark change, and address needs or desires in unique and meaningful ways. A creative idea is not limited to aesthetics but also involves problem-solving, strategic thinking, and the ability to connect with and engage people on various levels.

I love going above and beyond in the exploring phase as much as witnessing it coming down to reality. The process of searching for ideas in life and experiencing that exhilarating "aha" moment when the right idea strikes brings me immense satisfaction. I also always have a lot of fun in collaborating with colleagues or clients during brainstorming sessions to exchange ideas and the exploration of numerous possibilities.

Sometimes aligning the client's needs with creative ideas can be challenging. However, when the perfect match is achieved and the idea comes to life, it is truly rewarding. This is particularly true for large-scale projects that demand significant effort from the entire team. Witnessing the fruition of our collective efforts brings a profound sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

In a bigger picture, as designers, we have the ability to improve the world by solving problems and creating enjoyable experiences for people. Even the smallest changes are deeply fulfilling to witness for me.

While I don't limit myself to a specific style in design or art, I find inspiration in contemporary arts and designs, which have subtly shaped my aesthetic sensibilities. My aim is to strike a balance between simplicity and attention to detail. I have a knack for distilling complex concepts into visually pleasing graphics.

It's an absolute honor for me to receive the 2023 MUSE Creative Awards for a pro bono project I undertook to support women's abortion rights. It means a lot to me to have created a series of posters that played a small part in driving change.

Dusk till Dawn presents a fundraiser to support woman rights by providing abortion access. The event brought together a DJ set at Wandering Barman in Brooklyn. All proceeds were donated to The National Network of Abortion Funds and Brigid Alliance. The poster is to drive people's attention and promote the event for encouraging in supporting.

People, growth, making impact, making life much more fun.

Follow your heart.