Meet Danyang Ma | Visual Designer

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

Hi Danyang, why did you pursue a creative career?
Painting has been my passion since childhood. My creative journey began with clay sculpting in second grade. I started using Photoshop in middle school to create art collages and design pieces. This experience helped me gradually develop a personal art style and realize I wanted to become a creative professional.

I have carried a bold, playful style throughout school and professional design works. It speaks simplicity and strong emotions at the same time. The Implicit, flexible, and delightful touch in traditional Chinese ink painting has also influenced my preference in design, along with the philosophy of elevating the art through blankness, the balance of emptiness and completeness, and the sense of breath.

Being creative makes people excited. Designers are always trying out, looking for, and exploring new ideas. Consistency makes a significant difference.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
It took me several years to find out what kind of design I’m good at working on, which are branding and social. One of my favorite parts of social design is engaging in various platforms and design mediums, such as ad still graphics, editorials, motions, 3D arts, and films. It is like creating content for a small, intensive campaign for the brand.
The process starts with interpreting and identifying the message my clients want to convey through design. They were followed by researching for inspiration of visual directions, layouts, styles, etc. And then, I would create 3-5 sketches of the first draft. Let the clients decide which direction they prefer. Then, proceed with designing the art direction and the rest of the deliverables.

I’ve learned from experience that good design always follows the pattern of nature, making the form pure and simple, and the visual itself shall be reasonable and intuitive, dedicated to details, aesthetic, and precise. Furthermore, there is a purpose behind all good design, with an innovative approach embedded in long-term visions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The Art District is one of my favorite places in LA. It includes all kinds of great galleries and creative shops. The famous Hauser & Wirth gallery is also here, with a beautiful bookstore and a restaurant where you can taste fresh organic food. In the Art District, you can spend a day relaxing and exploring the streets and alleys to discover your interests.

The Bunny Museum is also an interesting museum located in a residential area in LA. A couple who love rabbits have been giving each other a rabbit as a gift every day since 1993. Walking through the museum feels like immersing yourself in a crazy and surreal dream.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
All of my designer friends I made, and will be making during my academic and professional career. It is a pleasure to work together with such talented people.

Website: http://danyangma.com

Instagram: @daniemonnn

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danyang-ma-358b6317a/

Image Credits
Danyang Ma