10 Questions with Weiying Ma

Weiying Ma is a Multidisciplinary artist and graphic designer based in Los Angeles. Working at Nippon Design Center USA Inc., Weiying specializes in branding, typography, 3D design, and motion graphics.

Weiying had recently earned a master's degree in graphic design from the ArtCenter College of Design. Her passion for graphic design stems from its vast potential in various mediums, including 3D, motion, spatial, and generative design. By embracing these innovative tools, Weiying's aim is to create captivating designs that convey stories in a distinct and influential manner. Weiying's exceptional work has garnered recognition from esteemed organizations such as TDC, ADC, Graphis, Design 360°, Communication Arts and many others. Her projects include motion graphic designs for digital agencies in Japan, 3D/CGI production and pictogram design for an experienced Japanese pictograms project, BANLAN in China, projection installation design for Brunswick Court at Pasadena, etc.

weiyingma.work

ARTIST STATEMENT

“As a multidisciplinary designer, I believe that design is not limited to two-dimensional spaces. In fact, I strive to explore different mediums and use them to convey stories in a unique and impactful way. ArtCenter College of Design, where I studied, encourages experimentation and innovation, which has allowed me to learn and work with emerging media such as 3D modelling, creative coding, spatial design, and motion graphics. My goal is to incorporate these new technologies into the language of graphic design so that the designs I create are more engaging and effective in resonating with audiences. Ultimately, my approach to design is to create designs that are not only visually striking but also communicate a clear message and evoke emotion. I strive to create designs that resonate with audiences, regardless of the medium or platform used.”

— Weiying Ma

INTERVIEW

First, tell us a little about your background and studies. What kind of education or training helped you develop your approach to art?

As a multidisciplinary designer who majored in graphic design, I believe that graphic design shouldn't be confined to just a 2D surface. It should be more diverse and have more possibilities. ArtCenter College of Design, where I studied, encourages experimentation and innovation, which has allowed me to play around with a lot of new tools in design. The more I learned, the more I wanted to incorporate all these different mediums in the language of graphic design. I want to make designs that are not only looking good but also communicate a clear message and evoke emotion. 

You are a versatile multidisciplinary artist, but you primarily work with design. How did you choose design as your preferred medium? And what does it represent for you?

I have always had a passion for creativity. Drawing has had an innate attraction to me since I was young. Though societal pressures initially led me to a "practical" career, my undergraduate studies reignited my passion for design. After I finally decided to attend an art school, the more emerging design tools I encountered, the more I became certain of my love for design. I enjoy using different mediums to express design language. Whenever I see some great creative works, I get excited and hope that one day I can produce such outstanding pieces.
I want to reveal the essence of things through simple and direct visual methods. And this approach resonates deeply with how I view design – as a way to connect with people and create meaningful experiences.

You work with branding, typography, 3D design, and motion graphics. How do you keep your work cohesive? And what are the recurring elements of your work?

I am very willing to try different design mediums. For me, the medium is not limited; as long as it can effectively convey the brand concept or the essence of the work, any medium is worth trying. For me, the most crucial element in design is how to establish a connection between my work and the audience. I strive to design in a way that resonates with people, creating experiences that they can relate to and feel a part of. I'm personally very interested in 3D and motion graphics. However, every design project has its own unique message to convey. I plan to keep exploring and learning new mediums to find the best way to present designs.

What is your aim as an artist? What would you like the public to get away from your work?

My design philosophy is to reveal the essence of things through simple and direct visual methods. I design to connect with people and create experiences they can resonate with. I want to make designs that not only look good but also communicate a clear message and evoke emotion. I really like an artist named Olafur Eliasson. He is an artist who creates large-scale, interactive installations. His art isn't just about visual experience; it engages touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight. His creative philosophy has influenced my design thinking: how to inspire people's senses to fully experience a design and how my design can resonate with them.

Let's talk about your creative process. Can you guide us through the whole process, from the first idea to the final outcome?

My design approach is all about keeping things simple and clear to get to the heart of what we're trying to show. This idea came from playing around with lots of different design tools, which made me want to mix these tools together in my work. I aim to make designs that not only look good but also clearly get the message across and make people feel something.
When I start a project, I first try to really understand what it's about and who it's for. This means looking closely at what the client needs, what's going on in the market, and what the audience likes. This helps me come up with designs that look great and hit the right note with people.
At the end of the day, I want my designs to connect with people, to create something they can relate to and enjoy.

Speaking of your work, in your statement, you mention how your goal is to incorporate "new technologies into the language of graphic design." How do you plan to achieve this goal? And how does it influence your creative process?

In my design work, it's all about experimenting and innovating. In my project EMOTXT, I used machine learning to create a typeface that can convey human emotions. The design world is always changing, especially with emerging technologies and platforms coming out. I think these innovations open up more possibilities for design, making it more engaging and powerful. I like blending design and technology to create memorable experiences for my audiences.

Ultimately, what messages would you like to convey with your work? Is there any other medium or technique you would like to experiment with? 

For me, the most crucial element in design is how to establish a connection between my work and the audience. I strive to design in a way that resonates with people, creating experiences that they can relate to and feel a part of. I have a particular fondness for 3D design and generative art, and I aspire to incorporate elements of these fields into my work. Looking into the future, I hope to explore more emerging mediums, like AI and machine learning, or further deepen my knowledge in 3D and digital design fields.

Let's talk about the future. What are you working on now, and what are your plans for the future? Anything exciting you can tell us about?

My company is in the process of organizing a significant exhibition focused on Experience Japan Pictograms, and I'm excited to contribute by designing additional pictograms and assisting with the exhibition's development and execution. I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share this with everyone soon! In the future, I'm looking to engage in more commercial design projects. I've always had a passion for visual and multimedia design, so I will continue to delve deeply into this field. After working for a few more years, I want to gain a deeper understanding of the work and become more focused on the design area.

Finally, are there any shows, galleries, or publications where our readers can find your work?

Welcome to look into my works on my portfolio site: weiyingma.work. 
Or, if you're interested in discussing design and tech, don't hesitate to contact me at weiyingma1996.com.

Artist’s Talk

Al-Tiba9 Interviews is a promotional platform for artists to articulate their vision and engage them with our diverse readership through a published art dialogue. The artists are interviewed by Mohamed Benhadj, the founder & curator of Al-Tiba9, to highlight their artistic careers and introduce them to the international contemporary art scene across our vast network of museums, galleries, art professionals, art dealers, collectors, and art lovers across the globe.