Bilan Liu

My journey to becoming a graphic designer began in the colorful pages of my childhood sketchbooks. At the age of six, I was already immersed in a world of creativity, sketching everything from multifunctional televisions to imaginative alien translators. These early forays into the world of imagination sparked a deep curiosity in me: how could these whimsical ideas be transformed into a tangible career? As I grew older, this curiosity only intensified. In high school, my introduction to formal drawing classes opened a new window of possibilities. It was during this formative period that I first entertained the idea of becoming an industrial designer. This path seemed to offer an exciting avenue to blend aesthetics with functionality

I'm currently working at Fisker, an innovative electric vehicle company, where I've focused on revamping the design system to enhance the user experience across our platforms. My role involves researching user needs, developing a cohesive visual language, and implementing design solutions that improve interaction and functionality. I enjoy the challenge of blending aesthetics with usability, ensuring that each design element not only looks appealing but also facilitates a seamless user journey. My work here allows me to contribute to the future of sustainable transportation, aligning my passion for design with environmental awareness.

To me, "creativity" means the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, and relationships to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, or interpretations. It's about seeing the world differently, finding hidden patterns, and connecting seemingly unrelated phenomena to generate solutions. A quote that resonates with me comes from Japanese designer Kenya Hara: "Design is not for philosophy, it is for life." Creativity is not just an abstract concept, but a practical tool to enhance and enrich everyday life.

A "creative" idea or design, to me, embodies originality, functionality, and impact. It should offer a novel perspective or solution that challenges conventional norms, yet remains practical and accessible to its intended audience.

My creative and design process typically follows a structured yet flexible approach. I start with a deep understanding of the brand

The ideation phase. This is where imagination and strategy converge, allowing me to explore a wide range of possibilities and push the boundaries of conventional thinking. I love the freedom and excitement that comes with brainstorming, sketching, and conceptualizing ideas. This is a stage filled with potential and innovative solutions.

I do feel that I have developed a personal style as a graphic designer, one that is deeply influenced by my passion for photography and my love for Chinese culture. My style can be described as a harmonious blend of minimalistic elegance and cultural richness. I often draw inspiration from the nuanced art of photography, where framing, composition, and light play pivotal roles. This influence is evident in my design work, where I emphasize clean lines, balanced layouts, and thoughtful use of space, much like a well-composed photograph. At the same time, my deep-rooted appreciation for Chinese culture manifests itself in my designs through the subtle incorporation of traditional motifs, color palettes, and typographic elements. This cultural infusion adds a layer of depth and storytelling to my work, making each design not only visually appealing but also narratively rich. Essentially, my style as a graphic designer is a reflection of my journey through photography and my cultural heritage

It deeply influences my creative process, especially in the way I approach patterns and symbolism in design. Incorporating such motifs into modern design allows me to create a unique fusion that is both culturally rooted and contemporary. This blend not only enriches the aesthetic appeal of my projects but also embeds them in a deeper narrative, connecting with people on a more meaningful level.

Winning the MUSE Creative Awards 2024 is an incredible honor that holds immense significance for both me and my team. It's a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication we've put into our BrightSideGoods projects, recognizing our efforts to push the boundaries of design and innovation. This award is not just a personal achievement, but a testament to the collaborative spirit and collective talent of our team.

The project we entered the MUSE Creative Awards 2024 was the branding and design initiative for BrightSideGoods, a company that epitomizes sustainability and modern elegance. We chose to enter this project because it perfectly encapsulated our mission to blend environmental responsibility with aesthetic appeal, creating a powerful statement in the home decor industry. BrightSideGoods stands out for its commitment to using recycled and upcycled materials, crafting products that not only minimize environmental impact but also enhance home aesthetics. This dual focus was central to our design philosophy, aiming to show how sustainability can seamlessly integrate with contemporary living, offering a narrative of rebirth and resilience in each product. Our visual identity for BrightSideGoods combines simplicity, warmth, and innovation, reflecting the essence of sustainable living. The logo, a clever fusion of a lamp and a chair, forms a heart-shaped 'B', symbolizing our love for the environment and design. This design, along with our carefully selected color palette, speaks directly to our eco-conscious urban audience, blending cleanliness, approachability, and sophistication. The inclusion of this project in the MUSE Creative Awards was a strategic decision to highlight our innovative approach to sustainable design and to honor the collaborative effort of our team in creating a brand that truly resonates with eco-conscious consumers and sets a new standard in the industry.

The biggest challenge with BrightSideGoods was to harmonize the twin goals of sustainability and aesthetic appeal in our product designs. We aimed to create a product line that was not only environmentally friendly, using recycled and upcycled materials, but also resonated with modern elegance and met the style preferences of our target audience. Balancing these goals required careful research, innovative design thinking, and continuous iteration to ensure that each product embodied our brand ethos, without compromising design quality or environmental integrity.

Winning the MUSE Award was a pivotal development in my career, providing substantial validation for my design skills and creative approach. This recognition not only strengthened my confidence but also encouraged me to pursue ambitious projects and explore innovative design solutions.

The design industry is a vibrant space where innovation thrives. I love how it encourages continuous creativity, pushing the boundaries of what's possible and constantly evolving with trends. This dynamic nature keeps the work exciting and challenging!

China boasts a millennia-old tradition of art and design, spanning calligraphy, painting, silk-making, and ceramics. This rich historical background profoundly influences contemporary design, providing a vast reservoir of inspiration and creating a unique aesthetic that is both intricate and symbolic. These elements contribute significantly to China's distinctive standing in the global creative landscape, where tradition and innovation coexist and flourish.

Over the next decade, we will see some exciting changes in the creative industry. Think about how much technology, like augmented and virtual reality, not to mention artificial intelligence, is going to blend into our creative toolbox. It's not just about making things look good anymore; it's about thinking green and being socially aware, too. We'll probably be working with teams from all over the world, thanks to the power of remote collaboration.

If you're a student entering the creative industry or aspiring to submit work to the MUSE Creative Awards, my advice would be to stay curious and always learn! The creative field is constantly evolving, so keeping up with the latest trends, technologies, and design methodologies is crucial. Don't be afraid to experiment and take creative risks; often the most innovative ideas come from thinking outside the box.

To build skills in the creative industry, I recommend engaging with online platforms like Coursera for diverse courses, following design blogs like Behance for inspiration, and reading key books like Don Norman's "The Design of Everyday Things." Networking through communities like AIGA and attending workshops can provide valuable connections and insights. Lastly, keep practicing! Practicing through personal projects or freelancing helps to apply learned skills and gain practical experience.

In my youth, I discovered my passion for visual storytelling through a handheld film camera, starting with just a single roll of 36 frames. This experience taught me to capture the essence of life with care and precision, shaping my keen eye for detail and composition. Those early days of photography and illustration, where I found the extraordinary in the ordinary, were the stepping stones to my graphic design career. Now, those lessons from each of those 36 frames, emphasizing perspective, emotion, and storytelling, still profoundly influence my design approach, guiding me in crafting meaningful and impactful visual narratives.

One designer who has inspired me is Redfish. She's just a little older than I am, yet her energy and positive outlook on life, despite its ups and downs, have been incredibly influential to me. Her ability to weave personal experiences into her designs, turning challenges into powerful and expressive works, demonstrates the transformative potential of creativity. Redfish's designs are not only visually compelling but also resonate with emotion and resilience, inspiring me to tackle life and my design projects with the same enthusiasm and positivity.

My key to success is a combination of continuous learning and persistence. Staying curious and open to new ideas helps me evolve and stay relevant in the ever-changing creative landscape. Persistence is crucial to overcoming challenges and setbacks, turning them into opportunities for growth. As for parting words of wisdom, I would say embrace failure as part of the journey to success. It's not about avoiding mistakes, but learning from them and using those lessons to forge a stronger path forward.