Meet Shuang Wu | Design Educator, Assistant Professor, Graphic Designer

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

Hi Shuang, what is the most important factor behind your success?
My success is a culmination of various elements, each requiring numerous attempts, failures, and exploration in diverse directions. Within these factors, I attribute my personal success as a design educator and art director primarily to my unwavering consistency and passion for graphic design and education. I maintain a constant enthusiasm for learning about emerging technologies and integrating multimedia skills into my own work and research. Regularly updating myself, I consistently refine my teaching philosophy and strive for design excellence, both personally and in the classroom.

Regarding my design studio’s success, the pivotal factor lies in the strong bond I share with the two other partners. Our collaborative attitude and the valuable insights we provide to one another as a team stand out as the most significant contributors to our accomplishments.

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.
I hold both an MFA and BFA in Graphic Design from the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in Baltimore. Currently, I serve as an assistant professor in the undergraduate graphic design program at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI), while also working as an adjunct faculty at MICA and Texas State University. This fall, I will embark on a new chapter as a tenure-track assistant professor in graphic design at Virginia Tech. Outside of academia, I am deeply engaged in the design world, working as an independent designer and co-managing a studio in Shanghai with two partners. Over the years, I have made substantial contributions to reputable organizations such as Champions Design, MICA, NetEase WangYi, and Wix.com. My diverse client portfolio includes collaborations with entities such as the Advancement Project, Quad, Maryland Department of Transportation, LadyM, Nespresso, and various non-profit organizations.
My design interests encompass a wide spectrum, including storytelling, typography, branding, publication, and creative innovation. Engaging in a diverse array of projects, I contribute to crafting brand identities, packaging design, creating captivating motion graphics, editorial designs, and coding experiences. In addition to my roles in teaching and design, I consistently explore multimedia design experiments, utilizing tools such as C4D, TouchDesigner, and p5.js.
Despite the challenges of navigating the Western industry as a woman of color with a distinct cultural background, I rely on my instincts and choose to focus on the positive aspects. Even when finding myself as the sole representative of my background, I embrace my unique perspective as a source of creative expression. Presently, my primary focus is on utilizing graphic design as a means to bridge cultures and convey shared messages on an international scale.
Furthermore, I strongly believe in the value of taking risks for personal growth. While the allure of staying within my comfort zone is strong, I actively push myself beyond those boundaries. Recognizing that every risk, regardless of the outcome, brings new perspectives, experiences, and knowledge, I pursue this path with courage, particularly as an Asian female immigrant navigating the Western creative industry. I remain dedicated to trusting my decisions, taking full responsibility, and confronting the consequences head-on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In my opinion, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) stands out as the finest art museum I’ve ever experienced on the West Coast. I am excited about the prospect of taking my friend there for a week-long journey filled with art appreciation and inspiration. Additionally, I’m looking forward to witnessing the sunset in Hollywood, perhaps by embarking on a hike in the mountains to enjoy the breathtaking views of the LA sunset. When it comes to culinary exploration, I highly recommend exploring the diverse food cultures in Little Tokyo. Engaging in a mini scavenger hunt to discover hidden gems in the local shops would add a delightful twist to our food adventure.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to express my gratitude to my family, friends, and colleagues who have been part of my journey over the past few years. Their contributions have broadened my understanding of design and education, offering valuable guidance that has been instrumental in shaping my career. Their encouragement to explore and experiment with various creative avenues has been invaluable. I truly appreciate their generous efforts, as I would not have been where I am today without their support.

Website: https://wu-shuang.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reawakening47/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shuang-luna-w-930b2814a/