We had the good fortune of connecting with Wei Zhang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wei, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have been deeply interested in colors since I was young. As a child, my favorite activity was coloring in those little coloring books. In junior high, my parents decided for me to pursue the path of applying to art schools. From the second year of junior high until now, I have been on the path of studying art, from painting to art education in primary and secondary schools, and now to advertising and branding. Although the types of art I engage with have changed, I have always been growing and taking root in this field.

 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I feel that up until now, I haven’t truly found an art medium that continuously drives me forward. Although I’ve studied various types of art, I still don’t know what I like. I’m always considering my future career plans, doing things that are popular. In 2022, I suddenly developed a great passion for book illustration. I discovered that finding the style of illustration that can turn text into visuals is something that gives me a great sense of achievement. I found that all the skills I’ve learned complement each other in making me appreciate the charm of illustration. I’ve realized that my perspective has become unique because of my experiences. Perhaps, encountering different things is a good thing.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Among Atlanta’s most celebrated and suggested sites are the aquarium, zoo, and the Coca-Cola Museum. The Atlanta city pass is available for purchase, granting access to a curated list of attractions. Known for its significant Korean community, Atlanta boasts an array of exquisite Korean dining options. Sampling Korean cuisine in Duluth comes highly recommended. Additionally, the trails along the Chattanooga River present a variety of landscapes throughout the year, making Atlanta’s forests a must-see destination.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I majored in art education for my undergraduate studies, and I’ve had the chance to dabble in various painting mediums, though I never delved deeply into any of them. I’m incredibly grateful to the SCAD painting program for giving me the opportunity to discover my own painting style and to explore a wide variety of mediums, such as screen printing. The encouragement I received from my professors to continually try new things has led me to focus on creating art that I love and that brings me joy. SCAD also provided me with the opportunity to pursue a dual major, and after choosing to specialize in advertising, I’ve been able to better apply art to serve both life and society.

Website: weizhangillustration.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weizhangcc/

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/wei-zhang-22b70a23a

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.