Interview
Qichao An
Qichao An is an internationally renowned graphic designer with more than a decade of professional experience in brand identity, visual communication, and creative strategy. A graduate in graphic design, he has worked as a senior designer, design director, and founder in China as well as the United States. His practice examines the convergence of cultural richness and visual simplicity. He has served as the creative director and been involved in numerous innovative projects throughout his career, including branding, packaging, digital media, and environmental graphics. Skilled in merging strategic storytelling with high-brow design sensibilities, his work is filled with both emotional simplicity and functional precision. To date, He has received over 100 global design awards, including the A' Design Award (Italy), Graphis Design Awards (USA), Indigo Design Award (Netherlands), ICMA Award (Germany), and The Best Brand Awards (Germany). His works have been featured on best global design magazines and yearbooks, which demonstrate his ongoing creative relevance in the global arena. Qichao An's design philosophy is drawn from giants such as Kenya Hara, Jony Ive, and Chen Shaohua. He strives for simplicity, cultural resonance, and longevity of beauty - believing that design is not just a perceivable art, but a powerful bridge of ideas and people.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My design path began with an interest in visual culture and everyday particulars. I enjoyed growing up watching the world pass by and redefining what I saw in my own terms. Later, I chose graphic design as my discipline and learned its principles and concepts formally, and it has been a steady foundation on which I practice my craft. I have been highly influenced by Japan's Kenya Hara and Apple's Jony Ive, both of whom, in their journey for simplicity and the essence of design, resonated with me deeply. In the early days of my career, I spent time developing my fundamentals and experimenting with different visual languages to reach a design sense that was aesthetically simple but culturally rich. Subsequently, I also started my own design company to combine the richness of heritage culture with the precision of modern design to create products that touch the heart and also fulfill functional needs. I have received nearly 100 global design awards that acknowledge my efforts and encourage me to keep moving forward towards the potential. For me, design is more than just a profession, it's also the means through which I communicate with the world. I feel that I desire to share the stories and values through design so that people can experience the power of culture and the idea of beauty.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“My philosophy relies on the belief that design is a language - a means of expressing ideas and feelings in a direct and meaningful way. More than anything, I attempt to make images that unite people, move people's feelings, and convey stories that transcend cultures. Although I'm not always commenting on social or political life, I believe great design speaks back to the world it occurs in in some way. Through cultural icons and a minimal style in a very intentional manner, my designs tend to make individuals pause, gaze, and pay attention to the richer meanings of everyday life. In today's rapidly evolving world where there is always information at our fingertips, I hope that my work provides clarity and calmness, inspiring individuals to look for balance and guidance amidst turmoil. Ideally, I dream of design as a bridge - connecting tradition and contemporaneity, art and utility, and different cultures into one.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“Discovery and planning both play important roles in my own working process. I usually work with a clear idea and sketch in mind - having an idea of the project's objectives, the audience, and what message I need to convey. Planning helps me discover a firm foundation and direction. But I also provide room for spontaneity and intuition. And yet, wonderfully in the middle of it all in the process, solutions or ideas present themselves that can bring new energy to the work and new vision. I believe the best is when you've got these predictive calculations, but then with creativeIFT improvisation, the design will be purposeful and alive. In the end, design is as much about discovery as it is about intent. Being receptive to inspiration in the process allows me to produce work that is genuine and relevant.”
“Discovery and planning both play important roles in my own working process.”
Are there any art world trends you are following?
“I am very attuned to what's happening today, but I believe that good design needs to transcend trends and lean toward enduring values of clarity, meaning, and emotional resonance. That said, I do see trends such as the continued evolution of minimalism, sustainable design, and the intermingling of digital and analog approaches. Sustainability is actually most important to me, though - it's something that the whole design world is adopting, a manifestation of increased social responsibility. And I also like how high-tech and cultural heritage are coming together, because then design can be contemporary but still pay homage to its heritage. To me, trends are tools and not goals. I will absorb from them, undoubtedly, but always reinterpret for the particular purpose and cause of each project.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“My own process of creative work usually begins with extensive research and familiarity with the brand or concept that I am doing. I think that I require a clear understanding of context and meaning in order to design truly solid ideas. After this, I sketch and explore different visual directions, usually combining traditional sketching and digital media. Material-wise, I am not limited to one medium. For packaging and brand identity design, I work a lot with paper, processes of print, and sometimes special materials that lend themselves to tactile or sensory content. I also use digital software like Adobe Creative Suite for precision and delicateness. Technically, I aim for simplicity and clarity with minimalist as well as cultural symbolism influences. Layering and texture add depth as well as emotional impact. I like to blend old craftsmanship with the latest technology so that every element contributes to the overall idea. Ultimately, my intention is to make art that is both visually and emotionally impactful, utilizing whatever techniques are most suited to the work.”
What does your art mean to you?
“For me, art is a way of seeing and understanding the world. It is not just creating something beautiful, but expressing ideas, passion, and culture in a form which moves people across time and space. My work is a form of communication - a bridge between different experience and perspectives. Art is also a process of continued discovery and learning. In my art, I balance tradition and innovation, simplicity and sophistication. It's my way of thinking about life, communicating meaning, and inviting others to see the beauty in the everyday. Ultimately, art is intimate but also communal - it's how I talk to myself and the world.”
What’s your favourite artwork and why?
“One of my favorite works is Kenya Hara’s brand design for Muji. This design fascinates me because it perfectly embodies simplicity and authenticity, capturing the essence of the brand without unnecessary embellishments. The quiet elegance and thoughtful restraint in Muji’s visual identity teach me a great deal about how design can communicate deeply through minimal means. Kenya Hara's book prompted me to examine how cultural sensitivity and minimalism can result in design that is timeless, deep, and universally understood. It is a design of balance - between function and emotion, past and present - and remains an inspiration to me in the way I approach my own work. Good design is not a scream, to me, but an understated, lingering connection, like Muji's brand identity.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to be able to get my work displayed at some of the world's leading international exhibitions and design exhibitions. Through these exhibitions, I have had exposure to present my style of blending cultural diversity into minimalist designing to the world. One of the highlights was being included in the CDS (China Designer Salon) 10th Anniversary Exhibition, the milestone event celebrating ten years of excellence in Chinese design. It was an honor to have my works exhibited together with many great Chinese designers to illustrate the richness of creativity and vibrant identity of Chinese design today. I also attempt to take part in some design practice biennales and packaging design exhibitions in China, which publicized the cultural tales of my design. Can't say there are no online archives for all exhibitions, but you can view some of my award-winning projects and exhibition moments on my portfolio website: anqichao.com”
Website: www.anqichao.com
Brush Bio: brush.bio/qichaoan
