SOPHIA CHANG
Sophia Chang is a designer & illustrator from Queens, New York.
SOPHIA C: “I figured this is my one shot, I'm going to give my everything and see where it takes us. ”
[interview.aldy kusumah / pics.alexander richter / December 2011]
I guess Your illustrations & designs are very applicable, ranging from Undefeated (Street fashion Brand), Complex (Hip-hop culture Magazine), Web Designs, Anthony Bourdain to Mama-Os Kimchi. Can You describe Your experiences working with those great brands, company and public figures?
Undefeated: i worked on this brand thru an internship I was involved with in 2009-2010 called Book Club. I helped to produce graphics and put together tech-packs in preparation for production. This gave me a great hands on view on how a clothing brand operates from a design perspective. From research, to creating rounds of graphics, to laying them out on tees and shirts etc.
Complex: I have always been a fan of Complex Magazine since I was in highschool. I loved their articles, features and the general culture that it symbolized. I started my internship with them in 2007 as a sophomore (2008-2009) in college. It helped me to meet a lot of friends who helped me network later on in my career. I also got to see how a publication worked behind the scenes. Everyone scrambling to produce content, design, shoot photos, edit, everything two-three months before anything hits the shelves. I worked with the Art Director and Senior Designer at the time very closely. They were very helpful in giving me tips, and teaching me step by step along the way.
Web Design: This I sorta fell into after taking a few CSS classes in school. I thought to myself, print design and Web Design are practically the same. Minus the user interface aspect of it. I kept practicing, and started picking up work that allowed me to design for private brands that wanted to showcase their work/services to e-commerce.
Anthony Bourdain: This was a fun project that sort of fell into my hands thru random encounters. I was offered by Zero Point Zero Productions (they manage talent/Bourdain) to do a free illustration for one of his upcoming episodes. Travel Channel saw it thru the social media blasts, and asked me to sign for a full season and do all the art for this past season of No Reservations. It was a great experience, they were really friendly and open to my creative ideas. There was a total of 8 illustrations - one for each episode.
Mama O's: This project was completed during my time at my internship at a design studio called Book Club. I was given the opportunity to help redesign the logo for the brand. It was a fun and rewarding experience to be able to walk into grocery stores and see your work sitting on a shelf.
This is 2011, do You think the term "original" still relevant to Our daily lives and the creative industry?
I think so. I think there are still original ideas out there. I think that a lot of ideas can be recycled. It's not always WHAT you do but HOW you do it. I have to say that I can surely draw ideas from a trip to the museum or hanging out at a library etc.
When working on a design or illustrations, what band do you prefer to listen to?
I mainly listen to hiphop. I have my own playlists etc. Sometimes I listen to some R&B, music that has a solid flow to help fuel my work.
Favourite food spots in your hometown?
I am born and raised in Flushing, Queens. I currently reside in Woodside, Queens. There are so many different authentic foods in New York, especially in Queens. I can't name anything off the top of my head. My two favorite cuisines of all time is Japanese and Mexican.
Are You a collector too?
I collect a lot of things. Not on an obsessive level but I do have vinyl toys, graphic books, t-shirts, and thats it.. haha.
I saw Your works for Anthony Bourdain No Reservations. Did You also get a chance to travel with Him and experience the great culinary world first hand?
I would love to! Unfortunately I didn't even get a chance to meet him. I just worked directly with Travel Channel for all of the artwork.
When did exactly You pour all of Your energy and time to do what You do now? The "EUREKA!" moment when You decided to design and illustrate as a way of living?
I always drew as a child, throughout school, in school, during classes, on my free time. I always knew i enjoyed doing it. When everyone started applying for colleges, I was choosing between the two passions I had at the time .. biology or art. I knew I couldn't go anywhere with bio because I didn't know what to do with it. It's not like I was going to be a researcher in a lab or something. I decided to go to art school, I soaked a lot of knowledge up with teachers, friends, and really took advantage of my resources. I did internships, I worked, I tried. I knew I wasn't planning on spending more money to go back to Grad School so I figured this is my one shot, I'm going to give my everything and see where it takes us.
Visit her website to see some of Her Artworks: http://esymai.com/
