Meet Veronica Tsai | Graphic Designer & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Veronica Tsai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Veronica, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?

Since my professional work and hobbies all revolve around creative work, sometimes it can be hard to maintain a balance or separation. There have been instances when my personal art practice ended up merging with my design work, which was pleasantly surprising, but it also made me want to take a break from it. Recently, for my personal enjoyment, I’ve been making an effort to do things that are wildly different from design and visual arts. I’ve been trying to make more time for music and work on my guitar skills. I’ve also been going to dance classes consistently, and that’s made the most positive impact on my work-life balance and well-being. Pursuing other creative activities fuels my energy to design.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

What sets me apart the most is my unwavering love for craft. I’m a graphic designer with plenty of digital skills, but I also love experimenting and crafting things by hand. I’ve been fascinated with hand embroidery and other textile art. I feel most inspired when I work in analog methods, such as drawing with different media or experimenting with fabric, paper and other materials. I’ve always been so inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and craft traditions from different cultures. There’s so much value that goes into drawing, embroidering, or carving by hand that simply cannot be replaced by machine or technology. I have been experimenting with combining analog methods with digital technologies, such as generative design, since my time at art schools. This combination often yields very interesting and unique results.

With the advancement in technology and AI, I’d be lying to say that I don’t feel the pressure to conform to what is trending at the moment. I may be a bit naive, but I believe there will always be an appreciation and demand for things created with craftsmanship and soul. I’m learning and recognizing that it’s ok if my work isn’t “trendy” or isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. I’m still slowly developing my own design practice, and I’m not tied to a specific design style or method. I can go highly analog or highly digital, and I can also find a happy balance between the two. However, it does feel like I hit the jackpot when I get to incorporate analog methods into the project.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

One thing that I love most about LA is its vibrant music scene. I’d explore the different venues with my best friend. To start off, I think the Hollywood Bowl is a must. I’ve been there several times to see incredible artists such as Hozier and Florence and the Machine. It’s a fantastic venue with a wide range of performances. If you prefer smaller venues, the Lodge Room in Highland Park is cozy. It’s always great to be able to stand right in front of the performers. I’m excited to see Paris Paloma at the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever in June, and I hope to catch Ethel Cain at the Greek Theatre. I’ve been listening to these ladies on repeat; their storytelling prowess through music is remarkable. There are so many venues that I still want to explore with friends or just by myself, most of them are in Hollywood. If anyone has a favorite spot, please let me know!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

Even though I’m still at the very beginning of my design career, I’ve been very fortunate to meet and work with several professionals who are also fantastic mentors. Firstly, I have to give a shoutout to Miles Mazzie, my professor at ArtCenter. As his student, he encouraged me to fully invest in my own interests and not be afraid to develop a niche. As his teaching assistant, he taught me how to be a thoughtful listener and a more efficient problem solver. As his current project collaborator, I continue to learn valuable lessons about the professional world from him; in particular, he shares insights on how to create large-scale, captivating environmental graphics for cultural institutions. Thank you Miles!

Another shoutout goes to Nic and J.B. Taylor from Thunderwing, a design studio based in Studio City. They craft deeply researched projects that focus on film, publishing, music and art. I discovered Thunderwing while I was still a graduate student at ArtCenter College of Design. Their beautiful design for Florence + the Machine’s most recent album, Dance Fever, really captivated me. Over the past 10 months or so, they’ve been such a pleasure to work with. I think it’s rare to find such like-minded people who share the same passion for culturally resonant work. As a former professor at School of Visual Arts in New York, not only is Nic patient and knowledgeable, but he also gives me a lot of freedom to explore design concepts and methods. This has vastly expanded my comprehension of what design can be. I’m thankful to have found a studio right after graduation that allows me to grow as a designer and refine my craft by working on projects that I truly love. Thank you Nic and J.B.!

I’d love to give a shoutout to Debi van Zyl. Debi is an exhibit designer who’s done extensive work at several museums in Los Angeles. I had been hoping to work on museum or gallery-related projects. She invited me to collaborate on an exhibit at the Skirball Cultural Center titled Frank Stella: Had Gadya. I re-interpreted the artworks on display and designed playful shapes for an interactive portion of the exhibit. The interactive portion helps museum visitors understand the abstract artwork, history, and context of the exhibit. It was such a playful project, and it’s an honor to work with a prestigious cultural institution like Skirball. Thank you Debi for being so warm and inviting!

Lastly, I’d love to give a shoutout to Aukai Cain. I’ve been taking his dance classes at Athletic Garage Dance Center for a while now. Aukai is possibly one of the most passionate and energetic people I’ve ever met. I don’t understand how someone can have this much energy. His love for dance is so infectious, and his drive to make dance fun, inclusive, and accessible to everybody is so commendable. The dance studio has become an irreplaceable “third place” for me. Thanks Aukai!

Website: https://veronica-tsai.design/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicatsai.design/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicatsai/

Image Credits
Veronica Tsai, Charlie Sin