Meet Mingze Li | Graphic designer & Tattoo artist

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

Hi Mingze, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
My journey into the world of art and design began earnestly when I graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art at 19, specializing in Graphic Design. This period was crucial, as it laid the foundational stones of my career and my approach to art. Working as a lead designer for a hip toy studio in Shenzhen further honed my skills and exposed me to a wide array of creative challenges and opportunities. It was during my studies in the UK, however, that I encountered the captivating world of tattoos, marking my skin for the first time with art that resonated with my personal journey. This experience ignited a fascination with tattooing, although, at the time, I hadn’t envisioned it becoming a professional path.

My time in Shenzhen was transformative, both in my career and my artistic endeavors. The epidemic closure, a period of reflection and curiosity, propelled me into exploring new mediums like moving images and installations. It wasn’t just about design anymore; it was about the essence of creation, whether on skin or canvas. This realization led me to a significant crossroads, prompting me to leave my job and pursue further education at ArtCenter in California. The move was a leap into a new chapter where the openness and inclusivity of America embraced my dual passions for tattoo artistry and freelance design.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is a reflection of my life, intricately woven with the details, emotions, and experiences that define me. I’ve always been acutely observant, sensitive, and admittedly, not the best at concealing how I feel. This emotional transparency is the cornerstone of my work, whether in graphic design or tattoo artistry. For me, art serves as a conduit for expression, a way to communicate the feelings.

What sets my work apart is the emphasis on communication. Both graphic design and tattooing are collaborative arts at their core. They require a deep understanding of the client’s desires and the ability to translate those into visual form. This process is more about listening, interpreting, and then crafting something that resonates with the client. It’s this aspect of my work—bridging aesthetics with individual stories—that I find most fulfilling.

My journey to where I am professionally wasn’t fraught with technical difficulties in learning art; in fact, I feel fortunate to have had a somewhat smooth path in terms of skill acquisition, thanks in part to what I believe is a natural aptitude for art. The real challenge for me was navigating the concerns of my family, who, while supportive, were initially apprehensive about my career choices.

The lessons I’ve learned along the way are manifold, but perhaps the most important is the value of perseverance, open communication, and staying true to one’s emotional core. These principles have guided me through the complexities of artistic expression and personal growth. My art and brand are built on the foundation of emotional authenticity and collaborative creation. I hope that strive not just to create art that is visually captivating, but also deeply personal and reflective of the unique stories each of us carries.

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.
If my best friend were visiting, I’d be excited to showcase the rich tapestry of Asian communities here. Our itinerary would revolve around indulging in the diverse culinary landscapes and exploring unique cultural spots.

We’d start our adventure by diving into the heart of city. K-town is a great choice, it’s a place my friends and I frequent. My first date with my boyfriend was also here. We really love Asian food. Even if you don’t go outside of LA, you also can get original Korean food.

Little Tokyo is also a good choice, and walking into any ramen shop will fill you up. And besides the delicious sushi, you can find many shops selling handmade items, and there are a lot of people who love anime culture gathered here, so if you are an anime fan as well, then you will fall in love with this place, just like I did!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a doubt, the shoutout of my journey goes unequivocally to my family. Navigating the path I’ve chosen, especially as an international student, came with its fair share of financial and emotional hurdles. The cost of education abroad is daunting, to say the least. Yet, my parents supported my dreams unconditionally, despite the exorbitant tuition fees and the unconventional path I was determined to follow. Their support was unwavering, even when I strayed far from the conventional expectations back home in China.

In a society where academic excellence is often the yardstick for success, and where deviation from the norm can lead to being labeled a rebel or miscreant, my choices were not always met with understanding. The expectation was for me to pursue a stable and respectable career, like medicine, but my heart was set on art. My passion for tattoos was even more perplexing to them, given the cultural perspectives on body art and the traditional roles assigned to women. Despite these challenges, my family’s love and support never faltered.

My mother, in particular, showed immense strength and understanding. She made efforts to see the world from my perspective, recognizing the prejudices and challenges I would face but always emphasizing the importance of my happiness and well-being over societal expectations. Her words, “The world is always full of prejudice, there will always be people who don’t like you, but for me, you just have to be healthy and happy,” have been a guiding light in my journey.

This unwavering support has allowed me to embrace my identity as a tattoo artist and designer, exploring my creativity without the fear of judgment.

Website: https://minzyli.me/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minzy_cypher?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Image Credits
Mingze