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

Hi Chiung, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
The are two quotes that I like. The first is, “We can’t all be good at everything.” It warns me that my time is limited. I can not do everything I want. So, doing what I truly love is the best way to use my time.” Another one is, “I don’t care what you think about me. I don’t think about you at all.” I think it means that we can’t be good enough for everyone. So I would like to focus on what I am doing rather than fretting over what people think of me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In 2013, I founded PATOO and opened an online store to sell tattoo stickers designed by myself. I had noticed the possibility that paper is not the only medium for illustrations. I made illustrations to transfer from paper onto people’s skins. So far, I have designed over 200 tattoo graphics. And PATOO has sold over 720,000 stickers now and has over 280,000 followers on its online shop.

In recent years, I started to make motion graphics. Making motion graphics has become a powerful way for me to share my ideas and aesthetics with the audience. People can view, think, and feel the emotions and narratives of my work through each animated frame I make. On the other hand, I also enjoy making motion graphics. I need to tell a story within a few-second clip and craft the story to touch the audience by utilizing suitable shapes, colors, and tempo. Last year, I dedicated lots of my spare time to risograph printing. I did my zines and prints. Those tiny cross-hatched and delineated textures of the risograph appealed to me. It felt so rewarding when I finished my work and shared it with others. I was delighted and proud at the moment people saw my work and naturally with a smile on their faces. I want to have more moments like that in my future career to connect with more people.

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.
Get an artistic comic book at Desert Island. Find a poetic zine at Printed Matter.
Do some sketches at the Museum of Natural Histroy and Met.
Gulp a cup of fresh fruit tea at Machi Machi.
Nibble at a piece of strawberry cake at Harbs.
Get up early and enjoy an authentic dim sum at Jing Fong.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would give a special shoutout to my partner Hao Fan who always supported me emotionally. He’s also a great designer and artist. So he is always the go-to person for me when I wanted to discuss ideas for my work.

Website: https://www.xiaoqiongzhang.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiung.zhang/

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