Interview
Junrong (Arving) Wu
Junrong (Arving) Wu is a multidisciplinary visual designer whose work merges narrative depth with visual precision, spanning motion graphics, graphic design, and art direction. Based in New York City, Wu operates at the intersection of emotional storytelling and conceptual clarity, crafting immersive visual experiences that resonate across digital and physical platforms. His practice explores how memory, perception, and cultural identity can be translated into rhythmic, multi-sensory design—where visual form becomes a conduit for feeling as much as meaning. Currently working at DE-YAN NYC, Wu contributes to branding and experiential media campaigns through a concept-driven lens, bringing empathy and experimentation to each project. His work has been recognized internationally, earning multiple Gold Winner honors from the London Design Awards and a Winner award from the DNA Paris Design Awards. Whether designing for the screen or the spatial environment, Wu’s creative language balances intentionality with imagination—charting a path where the real and the imagined coalesce into stories that are not only seen but deeply felt.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My love for art began early—I’ve enjoyed creating for as long as I can remember. Even as a child, I found joy in translating the images and ideas that flashed through my mind into something tangible, like painting, handcrafting, or making DIY items. That instinct to make the invisible visible has never left me. Design became my way of expressing how I see the world—my experiences, emotions, and reflections—through a visual language that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant. What inspired me to pursue design as a career was the realization that it’s more than a profession or even a passion; it’s a fulfilling and expansive form of self-expression. I’ve always been fascinated by how design can shift perception, evoke emotion, and create meaningful connections between people, places, and ideas. What excites me most is the opportunity to pursue this love for design as both my work and my hobby—something I’m genuinely passionate about every day.”
What inspires you?
“I’m most inspired by fresh, new experiences, especially those that bring novelty, surprise, and a shift in perspective. I love trying new things and exploring what the world is up to, not just within the design field but far beyond it. Discovering something new or embracing small changes often evokes unexpected emotions and reminds me that inspiration is woven into the fabric of everyday life. Whether it’s tasting a new cuisine, hearing a song for the first time, watching a film I didn’t expect to love, or stumbling upon a new trend or fashion style, these moments always spark something within me. It’s not just about the excitement—it’s also how I grow and stay creatively engaged. New experiences open up different angles on life and fuel my curiosity. These lived moments, both big and small, continue to shape the way I see, feel, and ultimately create.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“In my personal work, I’ve recently been exploring themes of tranquility and meditation, aiming to create digital experiences that offer a sense of calm and reflection. I’m particularly interested in multi-sensory design, combining visuals, sound, and other elements to craft experiences that go beyond what is simply seen, reaching deeper into emotion and memory. I’m fascinated by how design and art can forge connections with people’s inner worlds. This exploration of engaging multiple senses to evoke feeling or spark personal resonance creates an impact that goes beyond the visual. I strive to bring this approach into my commercial work as well, treating each project as an opportunity to tell stories that are not only seen, but truly felt by both the client and the audience.”
How would you describe your work?
“My creative work is always deeply shaped by my experiences, emotions, and unique perspective on the world around me. I often draw inspiration from moments that resonate on an emotional level, allowing myself to fully sink into those feelings and channel them visually. Sometimes, I become completely absorbed in a reflective state, where emotion becomes a lens through which I create. Influenced by art, fashion, and photography, I enjoy weaving aesthetic elements from these disciplines into my work, enriching it with texture, mood, and meaning.”
Which artists influence you most?
“One of the artists who influences me most is Olafur Eliasson. His use of light, movement, and perception to craft immersive environments deeply informs my approach to motion and graphic design. I’m fascinated by how his work transforms space into experience — not just visual, but emotional and atmospheric. That sensorial quality is something I strive to interpret the digital realm through rhythm, pacing, and subtle transitions.”
“My creative work is always deeply shaped by my experiences, emotions, and unique perspective on the world around me. I often draw inspiration from moments that resonate on an emotional level, allowing myself to fully sink into those feelings and channel them visually.”
What is your creative process like?
“Experimentation is at the core of my creative process. I draw energy from the constant challenges that come with each project. They push me to stay curious, take risks, and explore new possibilities. I view design not as a set of fixed rules, but as an open space for trial, error, and growth. That freedom to experiment is what fuels my evolution. A strong example of this approach is my award-winning motion project, Syntax of Visual, in which I reimagined traditional typography by exploring how letterforms could dissolve into graphic forms to express the idea of a ‘whisper’ between words and images. This exploration opened up new ways of thinking about language, movement, visual rhythm, and emotional tone. Along the way, I experimented new techniques that allowed me to communicate the concept more effectively and with greater nuance. For me, that kind of discovery is only possible when experimentation leads the process, and it’s this ever-evolving journey that makes design both creatively fulfilling and endlessly exciting.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“I believe an artist’s role is to observe, reflect, and reframe, especially in the fast-moving digital space. As an artist and designer, our role isn’t just to follow trends or chase what’s viral at the moment, but to create work that feels human, intentional, and emotionally resonant. To me, it’s especially important to consider how design can serve as a medium to connect with people. Design isn’t simply an A to B solution, but a language that holds the potential to evoke feeling and spark thought. It’s about communicating in a way that resonates deeply with human experience. I see the future of digital design shifting away from noise and toward clarity, to use art and design to tell stories and craft meaningful experiences, not just content.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“One exhibition that truly stayed with me was An Atlas of Es Devlin. As a motion graphic artist, I was captivated by her conceptual approach and the way she weaves together architecture, light, and narrative into deeply immersive experiences. The exhibition unfolded as a poetic journey through her 30-year archive, mapping the transformation of her teenage sketches and paintings into stage designs and, eventually, large-scale installations. It revealed a progression from organic, handcrafted beginnings to highly sophisticated, technologically advanced works — yet her voice and vision remained strikingly consistent. What moved me most was how her work continues to explore the relationship between language, space, and emotion. It reminded me of the Zen philosophy of ‘beginner’s mind’ — that sense of clarity, curiosity, and quiet intention I felt when I first began creating. That early mindset still grounds me today. It was a powerful reminder that design isn’t just a tool for communication, but a way to transform how we feel.”
Website: arvingwu.net
Instagram: @arvingng
