Alan Xu: Never Give Up
Graphic Designer
by Elizabeth Lavis
|02 Oct 2024
Last Minute Legend and Designer Alan Xu’s philosophy is never to give up. “Miracles happen right after the breaking point,” he says. For Xu, experimenting, trying new things, and taking life lessons are key to success. “The best piece of advice I’ve ever heard is that the average people who can learn from their life experiences can transform into something rivaling geniuses,” he says.
Xu comes from Los Angeles, California, a city he credits with inspiring a lot of his work, but he didn’t always want to be a designer. “I wanted to be a chef when I was young,” he says. Xu discovered his love for design at ArtCenter College of Design and through designing posters for his parent’s businesses. His top advice for novice designers looking to break into the industry is to stay open to everything. “Many times, the best designs come from an accident,” he says.
Unexpected sparks and happy design accidents actually help Xu stay creative under pressure. “I just keep pushing and let creative accidents and mistakes happen in the process,” he says. While this process normally works to keep the creative juices flowing, Xu admits that he sometimes has trouble taking a well-needed break to avoid burnout. “I don’t always know when to stop,” he says. “It’s still hard for me to achieve that balance.”
"ENCO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Rebrand", Alan Xu
When working with clients, Xu starts by conducting deep research into their needs and having a transparent conversation about the best way to achieve them. He finds that doing this establishes rapport and keeps everyone on the same page. Once goals are established, his design approach is effective and straightforward. “I look at the parameters, establish a mood board and a mind map, create some sketches, select and refine my drafts, then execute the design idea,” he says.
Xu relies on tried-and-true tools of the trade, like After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and C4D, to help him realize his design vision. “I also rely on my hands and brain,” he says. While Xu has favorite tools, he doesn’t believe any design applications or aids are overrated. “It all depends on how they’re used,” he says.
When faced with harsh critique, Xu finds it important to stay open-minded to get to the bottom of the issue at hand. “I always take a step back and quietly reflect on the criticism,” he says. If there’s a difference of opinion, Xu finds it more effective to show a client why their idea isn’t going to work through visual applications rather than conversation.
Xu cites Simon Johnston as instrumental in shaping his design philosophy and credits several other luminaries for helping hone his perspective. “Ming Tai, Charles Lin, Moonsick Gang, and Guillaume Wolf were my biggest influences in the design world,” he says.
While Xu finds inspiration in various places, one pivotal reason he finds joy in his work is personal development. “I love being able to see myself grow every day,” he says.
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