Meet Qiqi Wang | Designer for Stories & Business Strategy Consultant

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

Hi Qiqi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
It was a magic morning at my 24th year of living, when I woke up with a pressing question in my mind: “What am I truly waking up for?” This moment ignited a profound journey to find meaning in my life and work. I began by looking inward, recognizing that I was most alive when my creativity was triggered, and when I was surrounded by the beauty of nature and stories of genuine human connection.

I made a pivotal shift, transitioning from a career as a financial analyst to one in design. Eager to find my true calling, I immersed myself in roles I had long admired—working as a florist, a wedding designer, an interior designer, an architect, a production designer and a director in film, game and animation. After trying them all, I pinpointed the source of my fulfillment: that powerful moment of creative release and seeing the impact my ideas bring to the world around me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My journey into film began in China, as the production designer for a feature about a criminal investigation. That first project was a revelation. It opened my eyes to the power of film as a collaborative art. I saw people from vastly different backgrounds, education levels, social classes, and contrasting values unite to build a story, each finding their own satisfaction and understanding in the narrative. It was there I witnessed the unique, captivating magic of cinema.

Following that, I joined a studio as a full-time production designer, honing my craft on commercials while voraciously absorbing everything I could about film theory and design technique. However, by 2023, the lack of stability in the Chinese film industry—in terms of both working hours and compensation—prompted me to look for a new path. I set my sights on Hollywood.

At the same time, I became fascinated with Virtual Production. I saw it not just as a new tool, but as a paradigm shift for visual storytelling. To bridge my existing skills with this future, I enrolled in a master’s program that fused architectural design with new media art.

The transition, however, proved more challenging than I anticipated. Graduating in 2024, I found myself continuing to build my portfolio through student projects for another six months before landing a role as a set decorator on an independent feature.

This entire journey has fundamentally shaped my design philosophy. I have developed a deep sensitivity that allows me to resonate with a character’s emotions and the subtle vibes of an environment. My work is about expressing these unspoken narratives through space and objects—a silent, visual language. I am not just a designer; I am a translator of mood and story. I eagerly embrace new technologies like Virtual Production, not for their own sake, but to unlock their potential for richer, more immersive storytelling.

What sets me apart is this fusion: an intuitive, empathetic connection to character and place, expressed through a disciplined design practice and a forward-looking passion for the technologies that are reshaping our cinematic landscape.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend were visiting, the ultimate “best time” would be a behind-the-scenes pass to my world. I’d start by bringing them right onto one of my sets—that’s my reality, and it’s where the magic happens for me. I’d love to show them the incredible environments we build, like a nostalgic 1950s American family house, a fantastical forest, an imaginary wrestling ring, or even the alien surfaces of a moon like Europa.

For a week-long itinerary, I’d craft a journey through the diverse cultural “towns” of the city, mirroring the way we build worlds on a soundstage. Each day would be a new set design, but for their palate!

Where to Eat & Drink: We’d embark on a culinary tour, grabbing dishes from all the iconic neighborhoods: the vibrant flavors of Thai Town, the authentic tacos from a Mexican street stall, the barbeque and soju in Koreatown, the delicate sushi in Little Tokyo, and the endless variety of dim sum in Chinatown.

What to Visit & Do: Beyond the sets and the food, I’d mix in the city’s essential sights. We’d go for a hike in the Hollywood Hills to see the sign and the sprawling city views, spend an afternoon getting lost in a great art museum, and maybe catch a live concert or show to feel the city’s creative pulse.

Where to Hang Out: For a relaxing hang, we’d explore the unique vibes of different neighborhoods—browsing vintage shops in a trendy district, people-watching at a cool coffee shop, or just having a picnic at a park where we can chat and take it all in.

In my view, the most exciting thing about this city is its layers. It’s a place where you can travel the world through its neighborhoods, see past and future collide in its architecture and art, and constantly be surprised by the creativity around every corner. I’d want to show my friend not just the tourist spots, but the living, breathing, and incredibly diverse ecosystem that inspires my work every day.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Absolutely. I’d love to dedicate my shoutout to my mentor and role model, Sue Chan, the production designer for Shang Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings. As a Chinese American woman thriving in the Hollywood ecosystem, she embodies a powerful combination of profound creativity, deep professionalism and incredible kindness. She’s also a huge inspiration in how she maintains generosity in her work and balance with her family—it’s a standard I truly admire.

I also have to highlight the profound impact that the online lectures of Professors Dai Jinhua and Cho-yun Hsu have had on me. Their courses fundamentally reshaped my understanding of film, history, and the complex societies of both China and the United States. They gave me a new lens through which to see the world I live in.

Website: https://www.qiqikristinwang.com

Instagram: https://qiqi.kristin.wang