Meet Jocelyn (Ziying) Zhao | Graphic Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jocelyn (Ziying) Zhao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jocelyn (Ziying), why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Growing up, I spent over ten years learning painting, which helped shape my artistic aesthetics, craftsmanship, and spatial imagination. However, I yearned for something beyond traditional methods of expressing creativity. After two years of studying visual communication design at a university in China, I discovered my passion for graphic design—a field that merges artistic skills with digital technology. This realization led me to ArtCenter College of Design, where I honed my expertise in both physical form-making and digital generative design across various media types. This experience shaped my design philosophy, emphasizing the seamless integration of the tangible and digital realms.

Being a designer also gives me the opportunity to constantly learn from other industries like technology, fashion, film, and even finance. As I broaden my skills, my understanding of the world expands as well, enriching both my work and personal growth.

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.
My name is Jocelyn Ziying Zhao, a graphic designer based in New York, specializing in branding and transmedia storytelling. I have a strong interest in corporate technologies that intersect with visual communication, such as computer generative design and creative coding. I have been in the graphic design industry for a considerable time, establishing my identity and reputation through my work. My work has been widely recognized with multiple awards from the Type Directors Club, Communication Arts, Core77, Graphis, Pentawards, Young Ones, The Dieline, and GDUSA.

What sets my work apart is my ability to blend traditional artistic techniques with innovative technology. This approach allows me to solve complex visual communication problems for clients, ensuring their brands stand out aesthetically and connect meaningfully with their audiences.

The path to where I am now has not been easy. My focus projects required extensive coding skills, strong conceptual thinking, and meticulous execution. The main obstacles I encountered were the steep learning curve of new technologies and the challenge of seamlessly integrating them with traditional artistic methods. Despite these challenges, the learning process was incredibly rewarding and significantly enhanced my skills and understanding.

I am very happy with my past achievements in the field, which have led to my dream coming true: I have been invited to join Google Creative Lab as a designer next month. This opportunity will allow me to work with advanced technology—primarily AI—and collaborate with technologists, filmmakers, and designers on innovative projects, continuing my creative journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Living in New York, I would definitely take my best friend to visit a variety of art museums like MOMA, the MET, and Dia: Beacon. These places are perfect for refreshing our minds with fun, deep, and diverse artworks. A field trip to Dia: Beacon would also give us a chance to take a break from the busy city life and embrace nature—with my dog!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The biggest shoutout goes to my school—ArtCenter College of Design. It was a life-changing experience that significantly contributed to my growth and achievements. Next, I want to recognize my mentors, especially Brad Bartlett and Ivan Cruz. I wouldn’t be where I am without their constant guidance and support. They helped elevate my graphic design skills and introduced me to the world of creative coding and advanced technologies, which have become the main focus of my work.

Website: https://jocelynzhao.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-zhao-76838216b/