Meet Wangyingzhi Janny Ji | Graphic Designer & Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wangyingzhi Janny Ji and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Janny, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe the most important factor that keeps me moving forward on this journey is having a mindset of a lifelong learner. It’s all about embracing every experience as a valuable learning opportunity and extracting unique value from it. One of the most fulfilling experiences I had was working at Pentagram, which is considered one of the top design agencies worldwide. There, I had the privilege to collaborate in small, highly selective teams on a wide range of design projects, including brand identity design, social campaign design, and editorial design for clients spanning various industries. Some of the notable clients I had the chance to work with were LG, Netflix, American Express, Platoon, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the University of Chicago, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and Moravian University.

Each project presented its own set of challenges to solve, requiring us to ideate, respond, and execute with a deep understanding of the brand and its unique needs. I view each project as an incredible opportunity for personal growth and learning. Whether it involved designing for a specific topic, exploring innovative technologies, or coming up with an exceptional idea, I always approached it with a hunger to learn and expand my skills.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I actually studied illustration and painting at the Rhode Island School of Design and later pursued a graduate degree in graphic design at the Maryland Institute College of Art. So now, I focus on both graphic design and illustration as my main disciplines. Currently, I’m working full-time as a graphic designer at Apple’s bespoke ad agency, TBWA\Media Arts Lab. Before that, I had the incredible opportunity to work at Pentagram.

In addition to my full-time job, I take on illustration projects, and I love the flexibility of switching between illustration and graphic design depending on the challenge at hand. I find that the mindset and ways of thinking from these two disciplines complement each other and give me a broader and unique perspective, which adds depth to my work.

I won’t lie, my creative journey hasn’t been easy. Art and design require strong execution skills, good ideas, clear thinking, and countless rounds of refining and improving. It also involves presenting your work in a compelling way. All of these aspects require experimentation, learning from failures, and continuous practice. It can be even more challenging when English isn’t your first language, like in my case. However, one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to never be afraid to ask questions and seek help. It’s amazing to see how many kind and generous people are in this field, always willing to share their experiences, expertise, and offer help. I believe that every person I meet can teach me something valuable, and I love learning from them and incorporating those lessons into my own growth.

After working as an illustrator and graphic designer for many years, my desire to get back to my personal painting practice has grown stronger in recent years. I want to go beyond my daily corporate work and make time for things that truly fulfill me. That’s why I’m actively working on a personal painting series, and I’m really excited to reveal it in the near future. It’s a passion project that allows me to express myself and explore new artistic territories.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I think I’ve got the perfect plan for when I bring my friends to Providence, Rhode Island! First, we’ll start the day with a mouthwatering brunch at Kitchen in Federal Hill. Trust me, their French toast is on another level. It’s seriously the best I’ve ever had, and I can’t wait to share it with my friends.

After we’re all fueled up, we’ll head downtown to soak in the beauty of Providence’s New England architecture. We’ll explore the campuses of RISD and Brown University, immersing ourselves in the creative and academic atmosphere. And of course, we can’t miss the chance to visit the RISD Museum and admire some incredible art from different periods. We might even stop by The Providence Athenaeum, one of the oldest libraries in the country, to get a taste of its rich history.

For lunch, we’ll make our way to Little Italy, where the food scene is fantastic. There are so many cool restaurants to choose from, it’ll be hard to decide. But one thing’s for sure, we absolutely have to save room for dessert at Pastiche Fine Desserts. Trust me when I say they have the best fruit tart you’ll ever taste. It’s a must-try!

To wrap up our day in Providence, we’ll head to downtown and gather by the riverside for the incredible WaterFire show. It’s such a magical experience, with fire, music, and the shimmering reflections on the water. It’s the perfect way to wind down and create lasting memories.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely! I would love to give a shoutout to my alma maters, Rhode Island School of Design and Maryland Institute College of Art. These institutions played a significant role in shaping my creative journey and provided me with valuable knowledge and skills. I’m grateful for the education and opportunities I received during my time there.

I would also like to express my gratitude to the professors who had a profound impact on me. Fred Lynch, Ellen Lupton, and Jennifer Cole Phillips were instrumental in my growth as a designer and illustrator. Their guidance, expertise, and passion for the discipline were truly inspiring to me.

Website: jannyji.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jannieeeji/

Other: Behance: https://www.behance.net/jannyji