Meet Bojun Tan | Graphic Designer

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

Hi Bojun, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I believe that all artists who share my passion for work have faced similar situations. During the initial years of my career, I was involved in my work and was very anxious to go ahead. I worked overtime by neglecting my sleep and meals, but it wrecked my schedule, which affected my health and made me unable to concentrate on my work during the day. Also, my inefficiency at work also brought down the quality of my creations. Slowly, I realized that good work is something one can do when he is energetic and happy. The same holds true for an artist. Also, in the case of artists, it is not just the clients’ deadline that you have to meet, but you need to be given your time in rest, learning, thinking, and experimentation on new ideas.
 
The most talented people I have seen have turned work into a way of life. They can continuously work without feeling burnt out because their work itself has become the most enjoyable part of their lives, and this is what I hope to achieve. Nowadays, I still need a lot of time to myself and to rest after work, but my work is also becoming more enjoyable and fulfilling.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a graphic designer, I focus on creating compelling visual identities that help brands tell their story in an impactful way. I specialize in logo design, typography, and branding for cultural and food-related brands. I’m known for my innovative approach to design that incorporates all sorts of techniques–both digital and analog–to bring ideas to life.
 
The logo I created for Project Imago, a Shanghai-based jewelry brand specializing in complex biomorphic jewels, stands out as my most memorable project. My main challenge was to align the logo with their brand style, which melds algorithms and craftsmanship to create a sense of eternity. To achieve this, I incorporated strokes from English calligraphy to draw an abstract biomorphic shape, reflecting their exquisite craftsmanship. The logo has won several prestigious awards, including the German Design Award, and the Worldwide Logo Design Annual, allowing me to collaborate on a broader range of projects and push myself to continue refining my craft.
 
My passion for art was rooted in the culturally rich environment of my childhood at a very young age. My studies at the Rhode Island School of Design were developing my skills and introduced me to many different facets of visual culture, which I would later integrate into my profession as a graphic designer. What really has worked for me in keeping the job relevant and engaging is always learning, trying out new tools, and growing with industry change. And I think the most important lesson I’ve learned is that design technicality can never replace creativity. Designers are so often required to follow a plethora of guidelines just to be commercial in nature. Going through all this, I matured as a designer but maybe got too clingy with such rules. As thankful as I am for what I have learned, I also miss the whimsical, passion-driven creations that I used to make at the start of learning art. I often look to past works; I’m working hard to bring that spirit into the commercial realm of making for a design style that’s my own.

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.
If my best friend were visiting New York City, I’d curate a day to showcase the city’s dynamic culture. We’d start with a brunch in a Cantonese restaurant in Chinatown – New York has some of the best dim sum. We’d spend the afternoon at the MoMA, taking in my favorite modern artists, and in the evening, hop through the cocktail bars in the West Village—some of the best in only a few blocks, which I think is the best thing about New York.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am thankful from the bottom of my heart to my parents, who never wavered in their support of my dreams. Their encouragement and sacrifices have been the foundation of my success in life. From my early inclinations toward art to my decision to go abroad for studies, their love and guidance has been all pervasive in all my achievements. This is their success as much as it is mine. Thank you for having faith in me and showing me the stepping stones toward my dreams.

Website: https://tomtan.net

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-tan-1144371a1/