Meet Yucen Yao | Graphic designer, Illustrator , multimedia visual artist, environmentalist

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

Hi Yucen, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Conquering my fear of speaking to strangers. As an introverted person, reaching out to people and organizations I wanted to collaborate with was initially daunting. I had to learn to be open and share my ideas, even at the risk of rejection. Surprisingly, many people were eager to help, and even when they said no, there was often room for negotiation.

For example, one of my major projects, Gooseday, involved co-hosting an eco-festival with Felix Lipp from the Student Union Sustainability Committee. I also received a grant from Justin Hogan of the CalArts Commission for Sustainability. Before starting this project, I didn’t even know these departments existed. The event was extremely successful, attracting over 150 attendees, including some from as far as Santa Monica College.

Another project involved working with cafeteria staff Peyton Poulsen and Dianna Sherick also Justin Hogan from CCS to start selling reusable utensils at CalArts. Although the cafeteria couldn’t provide reusable utensils due to various reasons, the staff still supported the initiative by selling them, marking the first step towards a greener campus.

These projects taught me the power of community and collaboration. While a single person can contribute only so much, the collective power of a community can amplify our efforts significantly. What if we use our skills to gather and inform people, encouraging the formation of a community? As a community, we can generate ideas and accomplish goals together, making the process easier and the impact greater. This approach has transformed how I view my role as a designer. Before this practice, I aspired to collaborate with individuals from different fields, to tackle challenges I had never faced before, and to use my skills for the benefit of our community.

As a CalArts student, I found that faculty and peers were generally eager to help and collaborate. However, my project, the Eco Garden Toolkit, required reaching out beyond the school. I met Austin Ma at the Theodore Payne Foundation while volunteering. Our casual conversation led to a collaboration on the zine packet advocating for California native plants.

Anyway, the decision to overcome my anxiety about speaking to strangers and ask people if they want to collaborate with me has significantly amplified my efforts and contributed to my success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I recently earned my master’s degree in graphic design from CalArts, and my career path has been quite the rollercoaster. I’ve worked in branding studios, creative agencies, and even a food and beverage company. I’ve also freelanced for clients across different industries and taught kids to paint and dive into creative art projects. These diverse experiences have given me a unique perspective that I bring to every design project.

As a designer and artist, my goal has always been to use my skills to make the world a better place. I focus on connecting with people and nature, keeping my ego in check and avoiding any moral superiority. Of course, there have been plenty of challenges along the way. Paying bills isn’t fun. Especially as an international person trying to work in the States and needing a company or organization that provides sponsorship. Non-profits often don’t offer that, which makes it even trickier.

But where there’s a will, there’s a way! For example, finding companies that align with our ethical values or suggesting more sustainable materials when working on packaging projects. Additionally, working part-time for non-profits or volunteering can also be a way.

One of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on was the Gooseday festival, which involved a series of interactive and educational activities to promote sustainability on campus. Seeing the community come together and engage in these initiatives was incredibly fulfilling. It was a testament to the power of design to drive positive change.

Along the way, I’ve learned the importance of perseverance, the power of collaboration, and the value of being open to new experiences. I want the world to know that my work is driven by a passion for sustainability and a desire to create meaningful change. Whether through educational initiatives or creative projects, I aim to inspire others to join me in making a positive impact.

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?
I would definitely bring them to visit the California Botanic Garden or do workshops at Theodore Payne, enjoying the beauty of California native plants. There’s something magical about the beauty of California native plants! They create natural habitats for wildlife and save so much water compared to non-native plants. I’d probably end up convincing my friend to start planting native plants in their own place.

For some artsy vibes, we’d visit the Getty Center, LACMA, and The Broad. Each of these museums has its own unique charm and incredible collections. The Getty’s gardens and architecture are just breathtaking, and LACMA’s outdoor installations are always a hit.

There are so many good food options here, but the restaurant I go to the most is probably Norton Café, located in Northridge. Don’t be fooled by the name! it’s actually a Chinese noodle restaurant, and the taste is so authentic.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people and organizations I’d like to shout out to. First, my CalArts graduate mentors: Shannon Scrofano, who sparked my interest in native plants; Yasmin Gibson, who provided professional graphic design advice; and Justin Hogan, who provided grants for two of my projects. I am also profoundly grateful to Lorraine Wild, Louise Louise Sandhaus, Colin Frazer, Hillary Kapan, Thomas Lawson, and all my other amazing teachers at CalArts for their unwavering support and guidance. I would also love to shout out to all of my collaborators, especially Felix Lipp and Austin Ma. Additionally, my family and friends have always given me unwavering support, for which I am incredibly grateful.

For organizations, I’d love to shout out to the Theodore Payne Foundation, the California Native Plant Society, and the Chino Basin Water Conservation District. The list could go on, as there are so many organizations doing good for our planet.

To everyone and every organization working to make the world a better place, thank you so much for your efforts and inspiration.

Website: https://design2024.calarts.edu/designer.php?d=yucen-yao

Instagram: yucen67

Linkedin: https:// www.linkedin.com/in/yucen-yao-ba63aa266

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrg9-dGECNnqGHhZz4VWiEg

Image Credits
Photographer for native plant project: Zoe Liu
Photographer for River Zine project: Steven Feng
Egg installation by Eugenia Moreeva ,Decorated by me and Felix Lipp
Models for photo collages piece: Liting Zhu，Xuefei Sun
All the other photo or image is all by Yucen Yao