Discover what motivates this Chicago-based Illustrator/Designer through her art and creativity.
Can you tell us about your background and your creative experience?
I was born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan. I attended art classes from a very young age and went to a high school which was specialized in art & design. After high school, I moved to Los Angeles, California where I graduated from college (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) before starting my graphic design & illustration career in the fashion industry. I transitioned into freelance after relocating to Chicago in 2008. Since then I have continued working in fashion but have also worked with a variety of companies beyond apparel and fashion.
What does your creative process look like when working with a new brand/designer?
My process always starts with understanding the brand’s story and its philosophy before setting up a goal for the project. It is essential to me to have a brainstorming section (and I enjoy this part of creative process very much) with my clients where we are able to generate ideas, inspiration, and also to come up with creative solutions for the execution. As the project progresses, I usually show work development to my clients at a few different stages (from initial sketches to mock up to typeface choices etc.) to ensure everything is headed in the right direction. Finally, implement all the creative ingredients along with client’s feedback to complete the final product.
What is the best/most challenging part of your job?
I’d say the best and most challenging part of my job is the design process itself. There is always an evolution from where an idea starts to the finished product which is very exciting to see how it all became from an initial concept.
What is the voice that you wish to be known for or want to share with the world?
I care about diversity and human connection in our rapidly globalized society. As a Taiwanese American, I have the privilege of understanding my Asian heritage and also learning about the Western culture. Rather than choosing between the two, I’m able to integrate both into my worldview. It is through my own experience as an immigrant, I find much appreciation for other cultural traditions, life experiences and perspective. Recently I have started building my own creative studio – Dot To Dot Creative, one of the focus I wish to work on in the near future is to bring diverse communities together to share their life stores, values & believes through art and design.
What is your favorite inspirational quote and why?
I love this quote “Creativity is intelligence having fun” from Albert Einstein. I think most of us especially my fellow artists and designers would agree on that we feel most creative and productive when doing or making things we love and are passionate about.
What types of projects would you love to continue to collaborate with others and what is the best way to get in touch with you?
I’m a big believer in fostering community and collaborating for a good cause. I look forward to work on creative projects with other foreign designers/artist, Asian American communities, youth programs and female-owned small businesses.
Reach out to Mavis here:
Email: dot2dotcreative@gmail.com
Instagram: instagram.com/dottodotcreative
Website: www.kuocrarydesign.com
What are the lessons you have learned since you started your career?
Design is a lifestyle but it’s not your life, don’t let your career consume you. And also, there is always room for improvement, don’t let your ego get in the way of success.
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