Meet Mankun Guo

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

Hi Mankun, how do you think about risk?
Risk-taking is absolutely a big part of my life and work—it’s something constantly happening, often in small, almost imperceptible steps. I don’t think it requires enormous effort or determination; rather, I believe it comes from a natural curiosity that pushes you into a territory that is partially known and partially unknown. And the unknown part always leads to discovering something incredible along the way and getting a deeper understanding of what I can do, what I enjoy, and what matters most to me.

One of the most risky decisions I made in recent years was quitting my first formal design job in the U.S. to focus on my own projects. I was grateful that the job offered a good salary, a stable life, and a sense of security, while at the same time, my mind was constantly buzzing with wild questions like, “What if typefaces had life?” I wrote these down in my notebook, but I couldn’t find enough space to explore them deeply while working. The growing restlessness became a “giant mountain” I couldn’t ignore. So I left my job and started a year of questioning, experimenting, creating, and reflecting.

There were numerous moments when I doubted the decision to push myself into uncertainty again. Even now, I’m not entirely sure if more time in the real-world design market would have been better. But I’m grateful for taking that step because I was able to find some satisfying answers. I produced a few pieces that I’m proud of; I learned to overcome my procrastination; I escaped the trap of comparing myself to others; and I gained a deeper appreciation for my own work. I also found my new interest in ceramics.

During the summer, I’ll be returning to LA to start my graduate studies at USC. My decision to pursue my curiosity and passion has been reaffirmed by this path of self-discovery and progress. This new chapter feels like a continuation of that path, and I’m excited to see where it leads.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I believe the key to growth is to never stop learning. It’s not about plunging yourself into books or classes, but keeping your eyes open to even the tiniest details of what’s going on and carrying those forward. Instead of acquiring raw knowledge, it is a looping process of observing, analyzing, defining, taking action, and reflecting.

I had this wonderful experience studying type design with Professor Richard Lipton during my undergrad studies at RISD. I was proud of myself for developing an entire variable font family. When I shared this achievement with my mom, she was so excited to ask if I could teach her how to make her own typefaces. That question brought me up short because type design is such a complex field. It requires tons of professional knowledge, time, and effort. But her enthusiasm got me thinking: What if there was a way to make type design accessible to everyone?

I was reminded of the first type design class with Richard. He explained that the first step in making a font was to experiment with physical pens, followed by digitizing each result. Richard had us use broad-nib pens to see how changing the pen’s angle could create different strokes. I realized that when you write an entire alphabet with the same pen and in a consistent way, the letters naturally form a cohesive ‘type family’. There are inherent features, which are the trace of a specific writing tool, being embedded in the letterform. Well, then I guess anyone is able to apply a unique writing tool to create unique letters with specialty and consistency, while there are still rooms left for making variations.

So why not design some tools?

I initially designed a tool called Axis, which required two people to separately control the horizontal and vertical movements. This collaboration led to interesting results; because the two individuals couldn’t synchronize perfectly, the curves turned out to be like stairs. I also experimented with using a flatbed scanner as a canvas and fingers as the pen. Since the scanner’s sensor moves from left to right or the other way around, it is never possible to draw vertical strokes. When making the ‘bowl’ parts, you have no choice but to use two fingers, resulting in the two sides of the ‘bowl’ resembling pout lips.

Later, I started to experiment with online tools so that more people could access them and play around. I was hoping to eliminate the need to draw each letter individually as well. Therefore, TypeFlexi was born. The system features a universal grid that guides the structure of each letter, allowing users to simply move nine points on the grid to create endless variations. I also added an archive page where users can anonymously share their works. So far, it has documented over 100 outcomes. There are three of them from my mom. I never know the rest of the creators, but it’s absolutely encouraging to see that people are making stuff and having fun.

Along with the iterative process, It was interesting to notice a shift in relationships between designers and audiences, from a unidirectional creator-receiver relationship to a more dynamic dimension between organizers and participants. It is truly exciting, and I’m looking forward to exploring further.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I had my best time ever during my undergrad studies in Providence, RI. The city is not as bustling as New York but owns its special power with the quiet charm and hidden gems. Its streets, grass, river, and forest heal me all the time, and I want to share the magic with my friends. We’d leisurely walk along the river, looking up to see the seagulls blending with the clouds. We’d wander through the narrow streets of downtown, popping into quirky antique shops where the wind chimes talking on the door. We’d go to the woods to the east at dawn and watch the dark green gradually shed its white, foggy clothes, and look for dewy mushrooms sprouting up on the ground… These are the experiences that made my time there unforgettable and are sure to give my friend a memorable visit.

I guess I prefer a more casual way of exploring the city without specific plans. But here is a list of places or events we’d definitely visit:
Providence River
Little Italy
Pastiche Treats
WaterFire
India Point Park
The Breakers
RISD Museum
Black Stone Park
Thayer Street
Small Point Cafe

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am the kind of person who loved dazing and daydreaming. I can slip into those ephemeral reveries anytime, anywhere. Yet I often hated it. I might have been influenced too much by what I was taught—”any act of laziness would be punished in the future”—in my middle school. The strict ranking system meant that being half a point behind someone else in grades would increase the likelihood of flunking. I then took rest as a crime.
Recently, I got many inspirations from “On Doing Nothing” by J. B. Priestley. The article suggests that it is beneficial to take time out from everyday work and be lazy for a period, both from a societal and personal perspective. My favorite part was when J. B. Priestley talks about how if Serbian youth hadn’t felt the need to do something and assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, World War I might not have erupted, and “Thoreau, without his capacity for idling and simply appreciating the Milky Way, would be a cold prig.”

I won’t say J. B. Priestley was negating action, but accommodating in the midst of that action with doing nothing. I used to think more of better rest for better work, but there’s never a causal nor an opposite relationship between them. There are simply two equally important parts. While doing things helps us make utilitarian progress, doing nothing means a mental fasting meal that helps us grow spiritually. The key is finding a balance. One cannot always walk or stay still forever; walking and pausing intermittently is the norm.

Website: mankunguo.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mankun-guo-21a327185/?locale=en_US 

Image Credits
Yuanxu Gong, Mankun Guo