Currently travelling and exploring different parts of the world, Anja Zhao is a creative with over 6 years’ experience in brand and marketing strategy, including previously working as Director of Brand Marketing for Women’s Lifestyle at Nike. After a bike accident at beginning of the pandemic led to some time to reflect, Anja realised this was the perfect opportunity to pursue her dream of studying design and enrolled on the part-time course at Shillington, fitting studying online around her day job. As she tells DbyW, “I’ve learned that graphic design isn’t that different from strategy or marketing; it’s about uncovering new playing fields, working with different types of people, and finding your own process that you can trust and follow.”
Anja graduated from Shillington with a beautifully crafted and sophisticated portfolio, and she hopes to continue to explore new directions within the world of design and collaborate with others who share the same values and interests. One of the key things she’s learned so far is: “that we have to put ourselves out there and be comfortable with not being perfect. That is the only way you can improve.”
We talked with Anja to find out more about carving her new career path in design, what she’s found most challenging about becoming a designer and illustrator and what the future holds.
Why did you decide to retrain and become a graphic designer and illustrator?
My childhood was always full of creativity. I loved crafts, especially origami in kindergarten and fell in love with Chinese paintings and calligraphy when my grandfather introduced these to me. I was also obsessed with pens and stationery. In school, we had a club called “painting without boundaries” where we could just paint without any restrictions, and it was my absolute favorite time of the week. Our art teacher would sometimes frame student work and exhibit it in the hallway. This is how one day a German children’s singer-songwriter, named Rolf Zuckowski, discovered my drawings, and asked me to illustrate his songbook.
I think I felt some guilt or filial piety to repay my parents’ hard work and studiousness in giving me all the opportunities possible. That in combination with my inner drive to achieve success in the more traditional sense pushed me into applying for the more “proper” and “reasonable” paths for study and work. Instead of design school, I opted for business administration, worked in management consulting, and obtained an MBA.
For the last 15 years, I’ve always had this lingering idea to one day follow my passion and study design, but I never found the courage or felt “creative enough”. Right after COVID-19 hit, I was in a bike accident that gave me some time to reflect, and I remembered the joy of creating. I knew I had to seize this opportunity when I received a communication from Shillington at that same time about their part-time online courses. My driven self could keep her day job, while my creative self was partaking in the early morning zoom classes. Now, 9 months and a graduation later, I feel like embarking on a new adventure.
“Right after COVID-19 hit, I was in a bike accident that gave me some time to reflect, and I remembered the joy of creating. I knew I had to seize this opportunity when I received a communication from Shillington at that same time about their part-time online courses. ”
How have you developed throughout your career so far?
I have mainly worked in strategy and brand. I spent six years in strategy, where I learned about new markets and industries, worked closely with clients, and developed my problem-solving skills while being tested on dedication and strategic thinking. I’ve been fortunate to have studied and worked across Germany, China, and the US which has made it very natural for me to work with different cultures and people.
My natural inclination for creativity and design gave me the upper hand when I made the shift to brand and marketing. I learned how to use consumer insights and delved into the consumer’s psyche for our activations. At the same time, I worked with designers as their client, which gave me even more insights into understanding the purpose of creative work.
I’ve learned that graphic design isn’t that different from strategy or marketing: it’s about uncovering new playing fields, working with different types of people, and finding your own process that you can trust and follow. If you allow yourself to put in the right amount of time and work, little wonders happen!
“I’ve learned that graphic design isn’t that different from strategy or marketing: it’s about uncovering new playing fields, working with different types of people, and finding your own process that you can trust and follow.”
Can you tell us about a standout design project that you’ve worked on and why it’s important to you.
It’s hard to tell as I’m just at the beginning of my journey and I have grown with every project.
I love ‘Boba Yogis’ from my school portfolio. I wanted to create something colourful and mindful, while at the same time championing body positivity. I chose yogis because I love yoga and the lifestyle that comes with it. As someone who can quickly get lost in her monkey mind, yoga has helped me to calm my thoughts and create space.
I chose body positivity because, although there’s so much discussion on this topic, there’s still a long way to go. How we define a beautiful body is shaped by many perceptions from our childhood and environment. It takes time to change expectations for ourselves and others.
What do you find most challenging about being a designer?
You need to put yourself out there. When showing someone else your work, you feel naked. Especially when you are working by yourself and not with a studio. There’s no hiding behind a big name or brand.
I also find it hard to give myself feedback. Usually, I look for validation as I can be insecure about my work and always feel there’s room for improvement. I have learned that we have to put ourselves out there and be comfortable with not being perfect. That is the only way you can improve.
“You need to put yourself out there. When showing someone else your work, you feel naked. Especially when you are working by yourself and not with a studio. There’s no hiding behind a big name or brand.”
What are your career plans or goals for the future?
I’ve always been curious to explore new things, so I’m just looking forward to learning more, be it in graphic design, illustration, lettering, mural painting, or beyond. I enjoy working with others, so hopefully, there will be future collaborations with brands and people that represent the values I support and together try to make the world a better place. As a German-born Chinese female there are many messages I want to spread, whether that’s my Asian heritage or female-focused stories or in any other way – I’d love to contribute a bit to planet earth.
Ultimately, I want to do things I love and am proud of, spreading positivity and joy into this world.
Top 3 creative crushes:
- Ton Mak – @flabjacks
- Estefania Loret de Mola – @stefyloret
- jeeeoook – @jeeeoook
Visit:
- Website: anjazhao.com
Follow:
- Instagram: @anjazhao