10 Questions with Urilic

Urilic (Nan) is a highly talented graphic designer, visual artist, and UX designer with a passion for exploring and re-imagining traditional nomadic culture through her work. With a multicultural background, she is driven to find innovative ways to bridge cultural divides and bring people together. Her designs are centered around visual appeal, user experience, systems, and technology and are a testament to her expertise in the field. Urilic holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and is currently employed at FDAAF.

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ARTIST STATEMENT

Numbers are a precise and universally understood language that can effectively communicate across language barriers. While the interpretation of language narratives can be subjective, numbers are straightforward and unambiguous. However, the significance of numbers can change based on the units used to represent them. This highlights the versatility of numbers as a means of conveying different experiences, perspectives, and information.

"Equations" is a platform where individuals can share and discover information through numbers. On this website, users are limited to exploring data and insights through numerical representation, offering a unique perspective on the world. Each post on Equations provides a fresh viewpoint on numbers that may challenge your thinking. Discover the diverse interpretations of numbers from individuals around the globe by simply choosing a number and exploring its meaning.

INTERVIEW

Please, introduce yourself to our readers. What is your history and your artistic background?

As an artist with Chinese Mongolian heritage, my primary mission is to uphold and rejuvenate the rich traditional nomadic culture by infusing it into my artwork. My multicultural lineage propels me to continuously explore avenues for fostering understanding and unity among diverse groups of people.
I am a proud alumnus of Virginia Commonwealth University, where I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Since then, I have embarked on a multifaceted career, embracing roles as a graphic designer, visual artist, and UX designer. Regardless of the medium, my work consistently reflects a unique blend of visual aesthetics, user-friendly designs, structured systems, and innovative technology.

You come from Design; what do you wish you had known about Contemporary Art before you started?

I wish I had better understood the concept of closure in a project. As a designer, much of our work is guided by clear standards and timelines. However, in the realm of art, these rules become nebulous. Particularly for a designer like me, who is accustomed to working within these structured guidelines, the transition to art was initially disorienting and filled with hesitation. It took me a considerable amount of time to adapt and cultivate a mindset that was compatible with the fluidity of the art world.

And how would you define yourself as an artist today?

I see myself as a diligent researcher, thriving in the pursuit of discovering novel potentialities through a fusion of practical application and scholarly investigation. My passion lies in staying ahead of the curve, ensuring that I am always equipped with the latest advancements in technology and theory. As we navigate through an era of relentless progression, new ideologies and technological breakthroughs continuously emerge. Thus, I make it a point to engage proactively with cutting-edge technology and innovative ideas to prevent my thought process and creativity from becoming stagnant or confined within my comfort zone.
Through my relentless research, I aim to continually enhance and evolve my artistic system while simultaneously exploring fresh avenues. My work often involves experimenting with various media and methodologies. For instance, in my "Roots" series, I employ timeless visual symbols from graphic design to delve into abstract emotional realms. In contrast, my "Equations" series leverages user experience design techniques, incorporating research and user-testing to ensure the artwork effectively communicates the intended message.
I also utilize custom coding as a medium, allowing me to create unique visual and interactive experiences that express my artistic vision. This continual exploration and research not only provides me with a steady stream of inspiration but also fuels my journey along the path of creative innovation.

Your work defines numbers as "a precise and universally understood language that can effectively communicate across language barriers." Don't you think this is also the role of art? And can you see any similarities between these two mediums?

I maintain the perspective that both art and numbers are innately intuitive mediums, demanding little prerequisite knowledge for comprehension. Individuals can perceive and interpret both artistic expressions and numerical information, drawing upon their personal experiences and pre-existing knowledge.
For instance, Michelangelo's "The Pieta" resonates universally, eliciting empathy for the sorrow of the Virgin Mary, regardless of language or cultural boundaries. In contrast, numbers offer a universally comprehensible language, rapidly bridging people's understanding of the tangible world through familiar concepts and units of measure. This amalgamation of art and numbers cultivates a more diverse and comprehensive body of knowledge, transcending individual experiences to create collective understanding.

How important is communication for your art and your work in general? Do you think in today's world, we need more communication or better communication?

As a graphic designer, effective communication forms the cornerstone of my work. Harnessing the power of visual language to engage with audiences is pivotal to ensure they grasp the intended message I aim to relay. Nevertheless, this mode of communication often resembles a one-sided conversation as the content within a poster or design remains static and unchanging post-publication.
Drawing from my expertise in user experience design, I have been able to infuse elements of communication into my projects, fostering a dialogue with users. In the contemporary world, there is an ever-increasing need for both enhanced and improved communication. While advancements in technology and the proliferation of social media have made communication more accessible than ever, it is crucial that we focus on augmenting the quality and effectiveness of our communication. Doing so will facilitate the formation of stronger connections and relationships, leading to a more interconnected global community.

And how did you evolve this way of working?

My working methodology and communication strategy have progressively evolved, largely fueled by my enthusiasm for creating interactive projects. These projects invite audiences to transition from passive observers to active participants, which I believe is not only personally gratifying but also culminates in more significant and impactful creations.
Moreover, the current industry trend leans heavily towards interactive and user-centric design. This shift has underscored the importance of broadening my skill set, incorporating competencies such as coding, 3D modeling, and user experience design. By continually enhancing my skills and staying abreast with emerging technologies and methodologies, I equip myself to engage with avant-garde projects and adeptly navigate novel challenges.

How important are new technologies for your work? And how do you keep up to date with the latest trends and innovations?

New technologies play an instrumental role in my work, serving as tools that aid in the manifestation of my artistic visions. I maintain a resource library where I collect and categorize the various new technologies and ideas I encounter, akin to stamp collecting. This collection becomes a valuable repository that I delve into when I am inspired or have a specific theme to express. I assess the technologies I've cataloged and consider if any could seamlessly integrate with my current project.
In the early stages of my creative journey, I was captivated by flashy technologies, often compelling their use for the mere sake of appearing technologically sophisticated. This approach often resulted in rigid applications that lacked logical flow and primarily served as a shallow exhibition of prowess. However, I've come to understand that technology is simply a tool, a means to an end, and should not become the creative goal itself.
Currently, my approach to the incorporation of technology in my work is much more composed and discerning. I strive to apply technology in a balanced manner, ensuring its apt fit within my projects. This way, technology acts as a supportive element, enhancing the core theme rather than overshadowing it.
To stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations, I consistently invest time in learning and research. I attend workshops, webinars, and tech conferences, read relevant literature, and engage in discussions with fellow professionals in the field. This continuous learning process helps me stay abreast of the ever-evolving tech landscape.

Speaking of new technologies, what do you think of AI-generated art? Do you feel threatened as an artist by these new technologies?

I perceive AI-generated art as a significant advancement within the artistic landscape, possessing the potential to instigate profound shifts. As with any emerging technology, it holds the capacity to both forge and dissolve job roles. However, I harbor no apprehension towards AI-generated art. The reality is job losses transpire annually across numerous sectors, not just within the art industry.
I maintain the stance that designers and artists who consistently engage in learning and foster critical thinking will sustain their relevance within the industry. It's crucial to remain abreast of technological progress and perpetually innovate. That said, I strongly believe in the necessity for regulations to prevent AI-generated art from plagiarizing or infringing upon the intellectual property rights of artists.
Ultimately, I view AI-generated art as a novel tool at the disposal of artists, one which can serve to augment their creative process.

On the same note, what do you think of the art community and market?

The art world is dynamic, experiencing continuous evolution throughout history with the advent of new technologies and methodologies. Currently, the art market and industry are grappling with these burgeoning technologies, leading to an expected degree of turbulence. However, as society incrementally adjusts to these novel technologies and effective regulations are established, equilibrium will be restored.
Art's commercial value is primarily derived from its rarity rather than the technique or execution. The advent of the camera did not render painting obsolete; rather, it influenced and reshaped the existing painting paradigm. Similarly, the proliferation of AI-generated art, which can be created quickly and inexpensively, could potentially dilute its value.
I envision a future revolution and a certain degree of redefinition in the perception of artificial and generated art, as well as the valuation of artworks. This would facilitate a better adaptation to these innovative modes of creation.

Finally, what are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

At present, my primary focus lies in creating projects that highlight minority cultures while exploring avenues to render them more approachable and comprehensible. I aim to investigate strategies to dismantle language barriers and offer opportunities to younger generations of minorities who may have missed out on understanding their own cultural heritage. My objective is to cultivate a supportive environment where they can reconnect with and celebrate their cultural roots.
To accomplish this, I intend to explore a variety of approaches, such as harnessing the power of social media, embarking on traditional print projects, developing games, crafting interactive art, and even creating new platforms like websites or apps. These constitute some of the pathways I plan to venture down in the future.