Zhiwen Tang

Back when I was a kid, crayons were like my trusty companions for capturing all the cool things that happened in my day-to-day life. Those vibrant colors and lines became my go-to tools for showing what was going on inside me. Drawing wasn't just a hobby; it was this amazing way for me to connect with the world around me. As I got older, I started thinking more about how society works. That's when I got into doing narrative and informative illustrations – you know, drawings that tell a story or give you some info. During my college years, I challenged myself by creating art that tackled big topics like culture, gender, and politics. I found a real passion for using art to show what's happening in society. I'm all about spreading good vibes through my art and putting my own spin on the big issues our generation, Generation Z, is facing. I really want my art to add something positive to the conversation about these things.

I'm primarily an illustrator with a strong focus on editorial illustration and children's books. I've had the pleasure of working with clients like Ellement, Starchefs, and several others. Alongside this, I'm also involved in product design and creating illustrations for children's accessories. Looking ahead, I'm thrilled about an upcoming project—a children's book—that will let me build upon my previous works and venture into an imaginative world. Similar to the art I presented in the Muse Award-winning piece "Dinosaur Fantasy World," I'm driven to break free from the constraints of reality and fully embrace my creative spirit. This new endeavor gives me the opportunity to explore my artistic potential to the maximum. My aspiration is that this children's book will ignite the imagination of young readers, just as other picture books once did for me during my own childhood.

Creativity is a window to my soul, a medium through which I express my emotions and thoughts. It's a reflection of who I am, showing my unique identity in a colorful manner. As a dreamer of imaginary worlds, I utilize design and art to convey my imaginative ideas. What’s more, immersing myself in art, whether as a creator or as an observer, can be therapeutic. I'm convinced that artists and designers channel a special energy into their creations, resonating with those who engage with their work.

When it comes to understanding what constitutes a "good" design, I'd like to begin by sharing my personal perspective on what design means to me. In my eyes, design transcends mere aesthetics; it embodies individual spirit, ideas, and emotional significance. As an illustrator, I firmly believe that my role extends beyond creating visually appealing pieces; it involves expressing thoughts, raising questions, inspiring my audience, and fostering meaningful dialogues. One of my art series, titled "Nature and Being," serves as a prime example. This series draws inspiration from the profound impact of earthquakes on urban landscapes. Through extensive research into the geological characteristics of cities and the aftermath of natural disasters, I crafted a collection of illustrations that capture the dynamic relationship between nature and human society. My aim with these artworks is to encourage viewers to contemplate whether the harmony observed in nature can offer insights into resolving conflicts arising from urbanization and natural calamities. It's incredibly satisfying to witness how this series sparks discussions among my audience. Many individuals who engage with these artworks find themselves newly intrigued by the intricate geological effects of natural disasters and motivated to explore strategies for designing cities that can effectively mitigate such impacts. Hence, I firmly believe that the value of design goes beyond creating visually pleasing objects. Its significance lies in its capacity to provoke inquiries, stimulate thoughtful contemplation, and even contribute to solving real-world challenges. These facets—visual, emotional, and intuitive—constitute, from my vantage point, the core values within the realm of creativity. As an artist, my ongoing dedication centers on inspiring my audience and fostering meaningful conversations through my art.

It took years of practice for me to develop my own style as an illustrator. My biggest challenge and question in college times was how successful artists find their own artistic styles.This question became a constant companion, driving me to think and experiment with various subjects, techniques, and art mediums. Over time, I discovered the themes that intrigued me and the styles that aligned with my capabilities. I also constantly remind myself to always seek fresh perspectives in my work. Daily life serves as the main source of inspiration for me. After the recent pandemic, I witnessed the challenges our community faced. Thus, I began to explore themes of mental well-being, hoping to offer a comforting touch to viewers. The thought that others might find resonance, joy, and strength in my art truly motivates me. I gradually built my own artistic style around the topic.

Moving between cities from a young age has deeply shaped my creative journey. From Shenzhen to New York, urban landscapes have been a constant inspiration for my artistic growth. I am passionate about creating pieces that capture the dynamic intricacies of city life, and delve into the emotional landscapes of people living in those cities. My art frequently uses vibrant and flowing strokes to encapsulate the cultural and social experiences I've come across. I love to use lively and fluid strokes to represent the cultural and social experiences I’ve encountered. For example, "City Chaos", which is the piece I won the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, portrays the turbulent and anxious lives of New Yorkers in the pandemic. While themes like nature, urban life, and mental well-being prominently influence my art, I'm always eager to explore a more diverse range of topics.

Winning 2023 MUSE Design Awards is a great milestone to me, which encourages me to keep creating in the future. It represents the recognition of my work from the industry and big thanks to every judge.

Crafting my own distinctive style as an illustrator has been a journey of dedicated practice spanning several years. During my college years, a central question and challenge occupied my thoughts: how do accomplished artists carve out their unique artistic identities? This inquiry became a steadfast companion, urging me to engage in introspection and experiment with diverse subjects, techniques, and artistic mediums. Over time, I gradually unearthed the themes that captivated my interest and the styles that harmonized with my abilities. A fundamental principle I uphold is the constant pursuit of novel perspectives in my creative endeavors. In my creative process, everyday life serves as my primary wellspring of inspiration. In the aftermath of the recent pandemic, I bore witness to the trials endured by our community. This experience prompted me to delve into themes surrounding mental well-being, with the aspiration of extending a soothing embrace to those who engage with my work. The belief that my art might offer a sense of connection, happiness, and resilience to others acts as a profound motivator for me. It was through this exploration that I gradually forged and refined my own artistic style, centered around this pivotal topic.

I have participated and won several awards. I received some of them when I just got into the industry right after my graduation, and I can feel the encouragement and recognition of my creativity from the community. These experiences have deepened my appreciation for how competitions can nurture and elevate an artist's work. Winning awards isn't just about ranking and visibility, it also helps support young artists like me to build up a consistent career. I have gained many opportunities and friendships through competition. With those connections, I can generally expand my professional network and my fellow artists, some of them become my close friends, continuously inspire and motivate me to pursue my creative career.