Artist Interview: Lingyi Kong

Lingyi Kong is a graphic designer, illustrator, and digital designer based in Brooklyn. Her award-winning work blends motion design and creative coding with the art of branding.

Her multidisciplinary approach allows her to craft visually compelling and concept-driven projects that bridge traditional art practices with cutting-edge technology, including typography and identity design to immersive book illustrations.

Her work has been showcased in various prestigious exhibitions, such as at the RISD MFA Illustration Biennale in Providence and at the first “OF LOVE” International Poster Biennale in Beijing.

We asked Lingyi about her art, creative process, and inspirations.

Can you tell us about your background as a digital artist? How did you get started in this field?

As a child, I loved watching various sci-fi animations, and the futuristic worlds they portrayed captivated me. One of my favorite shows was Yu-Gi-Oh!, where people could engage in tabletop battles using virtual reality technology and wearable devices. As I grew up, I watched these once-fantastical scenarios gradually become reality, thanks to advances in digital art, projection, virtual reality, and game engines. This evolution thrilled me, I initially began my career as a graphic designer and illustrator, but my abundant imagination drove me to continuously explore ways to bring these ideas to life. As I gained more experience and broadened my horizons, I started mastering and skillfully applying various emerging technologies to create digital art. Additionally, a magazine provided me with specific inspiration on how to combine graphic design with digital art, and I have experimented with digital art in my design work.

*Shanshui by Lingyi Kong (still from video)*

What inspires your art? Are there any particular themes or subjects that you enjoy exploring through your artwork?

The evolution of digital technology has unlocked countless creative possibilities. My multidisciplinary background has given me a range of perspectives to draw from in my work, and the application of digital art has provided a rich avenue for exploration. I'm particularly interested in the intersection of technology and graphic design; I’m drawn to visuals that are both logical and structured.

Throughout my journey, I've been inspired by various animations and science fiction works, while my time in the United States allowed me to gain new insights through field research. My piece, "Goodbye Icarus," emerged from this blend of influences. In this work, I studied the sound and waveform of ocean waves and transformed them into visual elements, connecting these visuals to the emotional journey of the character. This approach allowed me to convey fluid, emotional content that traditional painting often cannot capture.

The real-time interactivity of digital art, combined with its ability to express sounds, mental imagery, and emotions that are otherwise intangible, adds depth and impact to the work. My focus is on marginalized communities because I come from such a background myself. Through digital art, I hope to create experiences that resonate with and bring equality to all.

What does your creative process look like? How do you approach brainstorming and conceptualizing ideas?

I create the most fitting visual forms for specific themes, which often involves conducting extensive research before starting a project. For instance, I might go to the seaside to collect sound signals, and through this process, I generate visual content that closely ties to the concept. Digital art software come with certain built-in processes, which I can harness to create and produce my work.

The concepts I explore are often embedded within the content I aim to express. Extracting and articulating these concepts, deciding on the form they should take, and achieving the desired outcome is a process where digital art blends randomness with controlled direction. This balance brings a sense of enjoyment to my creative work.

*Phantom by Lingyi Kong (still from video)*

Can you share an example of a challenging project you've worked on recently? What were the obstacles you encountered, and how did you overcome them?

I am currently working on a museum project centered around mythology, and since it is presented through brand design, I need to exercise a certain degree of caution in visual expression. When dealing with commercial projects, it's essential to strike a balance between visual impact and readability, which has presented some challenges in deciding what design elements to retain or discard. To address this, I organized 50 video meetings on LinkedIn, collaborating closely with brand designers and art directors to gather as much relevant information as possible. I then conducted a thorough analysis of this information based on my specific needs, filtering out the most valuable parts and refining them into my own knowledge base. When entering a new field, I place great importance on engaging with experts in that area and listening to their insights. This invaluable experience often helps me overcome challenges that I might not be able to resolve on my own.

Can you talk about any collaborations or partnerships you've had as a digital artist? How do you approach working with other artists or clients to bring a shared vision to life?

I had the privilege of collaborating with several musicians from the New England Conservatory to create visual art pieces. Notably, most of these musicians hail from various Asian countries and excel in traditional folk music. Each artist's musical style is deeply rooted in their unique cultural heritage, rich with cultural nuances. When creating visual elements for their performances, working with artists from diverse cultural backgrounds requires careful attention to many details. But as I mentioned earlier, I enjoy listening to the insights of experts in their fields. I make it a priority to respect the artists' needs while abstracting the visual materials and incorporating interactivity to synchronize with their musical performances.

A deep understanding of the musicians' work is essential for the project to be successful, so I engage in extensive dialogue to align our visions and understand their focal points. Additionally, the arrangement of projections and the positioning of the artists on site required real-time precise calculations. This time, I wasn’t just responsible for content creation as I had been in the past; instead, I took on the role of art director, overseeing and orchestrating every detail throughout the entire process.

What is a dream project you’d like to make one day?

I aspire to lead the creation of dynamic visuals for large-scale events, setting trends in digital art and graphic design, just like Studio Dumbar.

Have there been any surprising or memorable responses to your work?

During my discussion with the director Joseph Han at Studio Collins, I was pleasantly surprised when he praised the taste and visual impact of my work. His encouragement strengthened my resolve to further explore the integration of graphic design and digital art. Looking ahead, I am motivated to continue creating outstanding work and making meaningful contributions, much like he has.