Meet Hongjin Lan | Designer & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Hongjin Lan and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Hongjin, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Writing.
Most of my work has a strong narrative element. This stems from my dual identity as both a designer and a writer. Out of my interests in human nature, my observations, reflections, and intense perceptions about intrapersonal conflict and interpersonal relationships have been fueling my creative drive. My primary focus is finding the most suitable way to express my ideas. Therefore, I’m open to different mediums. Over time, I’ve found that art and writing are my paths. I’ve been consistently writing since 17, which keeps my mind sharp. I often use my commute to brainstorm story ideas and jot down inspirations on my phone whenever they strike. I completed my first novel last year. It was then that I realized the synergy between writing and visual art. Now, I skillfully blend these two disciplines, enhancing my ability to communicate ideas effectively.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I prefer giving my audience room for interpretation. One of my works was a title sequence for an original story I wrote related to death. When dealing with such a broad topic, rather than exploring those abstract and elusive concepts, I focused on depicting specific events. The story follows a grandmother recalling her youthful plan to end her life at twenty. Instead of dwelling on her thoughts about death, I showed her completing her pre-death bucket list. It ends with her oversleeping her twentieth birthday, inadvertently abandoning her plan. I kept the ending light, trusting viewers to have their own reflections.
Now in the advertising industry, I once told an interviewer I wanted to see how storytelling could reshape the art world. I got the offer three days later. In college, I struggled but failed to find my so-called “signature style”, since I tried to tailor my approach to each project. Now I see that versatility as an asset. In fact, I prefer not to closely link works to their creators – it’s a form of artistic protection.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m based in New York now. If friends visit, I’d recommend Thai food – it’s excellent here. For nightlife, we’d hit some bars with stunning cocktails. At certain spots, you can even describe your preferred flavors, and the bartender will craft a custom drink – a nice surprise. For entertainment, ‘Sleep No More’ is a must. It’s an immersive performance where you can follow different characters and experience the story firsthand. The New York Botanical Garden is great for nature lovers and rare plant enthusiasts. If the timing’s right, we could catch the NY Book Fair. It’s packed with books, zines, and artwork, showcasing diverse perspectives. Chatting with creators there is always exciting. Lastly, a picnic at Domino Park is perfect. We’d sit by the river with dessert and wine, watching the sunset. Whether we chat about life, dream about the future, or just enjoy the golden hour in silence.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Haik Avanian
He was one of my professors in college, and I was part of his first class. I’m truly grateful for his encouragement and support every time I wanted to incorporate an original storyline or even just a brief dialogue into my projects. He often told me that I always surprised him, which greatly fueled my creative passion. It also made me realize that it was possible to bring relatively complex narratives into design work. I remember one time I even asked if he would voice a character I had modeled!
Website: https://lanhongjin.cargo.site/
Instagram: @lanhooooj
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hongjin-lan-5696b5198/
Image Credits
Hongjin Lan