Interview
Fangyi (Yiyi) Yang
United States
Fangyi (Yiyi) Yang had always loved coming up with unconvential ideas to create new things and express her thoughts and feelings through artistic means.
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your creative background.
Hi! I'm Fangyi (Yiyi), a designer based in New York. I graduated from Pratt Institute with a BFA in Communications Design (Graphic Design emphasis) and minors in Museum and Gallery Practices and History of Art. My creative works range from user experience, interaction design, videography, branding, mixed reality experiences, and music. I aspire to create products and experiences that empower and inspire people.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a creative?
This might sound clich
3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
I'm currently a visual designer at Code and Theory, a digital-first agency that lives at the intersection of creativity and technology. As a strategically-driven company, we solve consumer and business problems with end-to-end solutions that flex to meet the needs of today
4 What does “creativity” mean to you?
"Creativity", to me, means to always be curious and observant. I believe if we have a genuine interest in our surroundings, creativity comes naturally.
5 To you, what makes a “creative” idea and/or design?
A "creative" idea is original and imaginative. It doesn't have to be huge or groundbreaking, but smart and flexible.
6 Tell us about your creative and/or design process.
I usually start with a mind map that helps me branch out related keywords and unlearn a subject. Then I'd conduct research, where I start forming my initial ideas. After synthesizing the information from the research, I like to make minimum viable prototypes to invite people to participate in the design process. This will help challenge my assumptions, and better understand people
7 What's your favorite part of the creative process and why?
My favorite part of the creative process is interacting with people who try out the work in the making process. I see all creative work as an ongoing journey. As long as someone is still using or thinking of the thing, it is always a work-in-progress with endless potential. It's very fulfilling to be immersed in the iterative process where you can see the users' reactions.
8 Describe your creative style and its main characteristics.
Collaborative, participatory, and intentional.
9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your creativity process?
Absolutely. Cultural influence has always been not only a part of my work but the root of my inspiration. Growing up in both the East and the West helps me perceive information from multiple perspectives, and encourage me to approach things from an alternative angle.
10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2022 MUSE Creative Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
Thank you! It's an honor to receive the MUSE award for my thesis project, Ceremony Planning. The creative journey of this project has brought me so much joy and let me encounter so many amazing people. I'm forever grateful and hope to continue on this journey.
11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 MUSE Creative Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Nowadays, as we invent more human-centered products, I believe it's important to take a step back and enter a state of reconnection to our life and nature. I hope to invite a broader audience to take a moment to think about the land which enables us to live, and to remind ourselves to give back.
