I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to sit down for an exclusive interview with Susanna Li. An eclectic designer and painter living in the vibrant city of New York. Susanna Li, a prodigious graphic designer and painter, has always had a unique perspective on the world. As a child, she was diagnosed with Synesthesia, a neurological condition where one sense is simultaneously perceived as if by one or more additional senses. This blending of senses, thoughts, and experiences has been the cornerstone of her artistic expression, providing her with a unique ability to translate complex emotions and abstract concepts into striking visual narratives.
Susanna’s work spans various mediums, and her digital creations have truly captivated audiences worldwide. One of her most notable projects, ACCESSIBILITY, has even won prestigious awards for its innovative approach. As a web designer, Susanna’s talent for blending technology and art is truly unmatched. Through her work, Susanna Li has demonstrated the immense potential of digital design, showing how it can transform brands, engage audiences, and tell compelling stories.
Her designs stand as a testament to her talent, creativity, and innovative spirit. Susanna Li is a true pioneer in the field of Graphic Design and Painting. Her contributions to Art are immense, and her knowledge is far-reaching. Her enormous experience in the visual arts complements it with painting. From a young age, Li has used painting as a medium to articulate her unique sensory experiences. Her work is characterized by its intense color palette and intricate detailing, which are directly inspired by her Synesthetic perceptions. She masterfully infuses every brushstroke with emotion, creating artwork that is not only visually stunning but also deeply evocative.
New York Art Life Magazine: Thank you for accepting our invitation. You are an eclectic designer ranging from digital design to painting. You challenge convention, push boundaries, and create a unique style that is both contemporary and timeless
Susanna Li: Thanks for the invitation. In each of my projects, I strongly try to bring a new perspective and vision. I love turning ideas into visually stunning projects that not only engage the audience but also tell a compelling story.
New York Art Life Magazine: You are very excited about your latest design project. ACCESSIBILITY is an incredible application to make the Internet accessible to people with disabilities. ACCESSIBILITY is paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable online world.
Susanna Li: Yes, I am proud of my work and contribution. What sets ACCESSIBILITY apart from other competitors is its dedication to providing a select range of tools that allow everyone to enjoy the benefits of the Internet.
Imagine a world where every website is designed with accessibility in mind. A world where people with disabilities can effortlessly navigate through web pages and access information without barriers. This is the vision of ACCESSIBILITY. I can’t express enough how excited I am about this project and the work I’ve done.
New York Art Life Magazine: The project was awarded at The One Club for Creativity in 2023. Recognized in the Interactive category. Winning a prestigious award confirms that your designer’s path is the right one. That your ideas are recognized and appreciated. That you are a guide and a reference with your creativity.
Susanna Li: The project aimed for greater inclusiveness for all users. I was thrilled when this project won the award. This work was rewarded because I believed that the Internet should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
New York Art Life Magazine: One of the values that drives your creativity is altruism. Can you tell us about this noble feeling?
Susanna Li: Altruism is a noble feeling that drives my creativity and is one of my core values. It is the altruistic concern for the well-being of others. When I engage in creative activities, I always try to create something by looking at others. Accessibility is an important aspect of altruism. It means creating content, products, or services that are easily accessible and usable by all individuals, regardless of their physical or cognitive abilities.
New York Art Life Magazine: In the world of design, there is a constant quest to create something unique and visually appealing. One of these efforts is the extraction of beauty from the Danish alphabet and furniture geometry. You have combined into a new system of typography design and furniture design. With this innovative approach, you bring together the elegance of written language and symmetry. And precision present in furniture design.
Susanna Li: I used to redefine the brand SKANDINAVISK FURNITURE. The Danish alphabet is known for its clean lines and minimalist aesthetic. By extracting the essence of this alphabet, I was able to create a typeface that embodies the simplicity and elegance that Danish design is renowned for.
The geometry of furniture, on the other hand, offers a different perspective. With its precise angles and proportions, furniture design can inspire the creation of unique and visually striking icons for display. By merging these two elements, I created a new system of typeface design and icons that not only captures the beauty of the Danish alphabet but also incorporates the geometric principles of furniture design.
This fusion allows for the creation of visually harmonious and balanced designs. These designs can be used in various applications, such as branding, advertising, and user interface design. This innovative approach to typeface design and iconography not only showcases the beauty of the Danish alphabet and the geometry of furniture but also demonstrates the endless possibilities when different design elements are combined. It is a testament to the versatility and creativity that can be achieved through thoughtful exploration and experimentation in design.
New York Art Life Magazine: I confirm, an extraordinary elegance and creative beauty. You collaborated and worked for General Electric marketing, bringing your knowledge and experience to the group.
Susanna Li: During the time of my collaboration with General Electric, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a talented team to design a visual identity system for the company. We pitched and explored various design systems, contributing to the development of the finalized designs. This involved extensive brainstorming sessions, research, and creative problem-solving. By pooling our skills and expertise, we were able to create a cohesive and impactful visual identity that accurately represented General Electric’s brand.
New York Art Life Magazine: You have had many collaborations and interactions in your career as a designer such as Crafty, WESTxEAST, Peace Museum, SVA Visual Opinion, and many others.
Susanna Li: Throughout my career as a designer, I have been fortunate to have numerous work collaborations and interactions with various organizations and individuals. These experiences have allowed me to expand my skills, broaden my perspective, and contribute to a diverse range of projects. I’m currently collaborating with Crafty.
I had the opportunity to collaborate with a team of talented artisans and creators. These experiences have allowed me to expand my skills, broaden my perspective, and contribute to a diverse range of projects. In my time as a designer at Crafty, I had the opportunity to play a significant role in the rebranding of the company’s visual identity system and website. Collaborating closely with the CEO, the product team, and the marketing and sales teams, I was able to initiate and implement a fresh and modern visual identity that accurately represented the company’s values and offerings. This involved designing a new logo, selecting a unique color palette, and creating a consistent visual language that could be applied across various platforms.
New York Art Life Magazine: What should be the guidelines of a young designer? What are the cornerstones of your design?
Susanna Li: To create effective and impactful designs, it is important to adhere to certain guidelines. Three essential principles that should shape your design skills are harmony, functionality, and empathy. Harmony refers to the overall balance and cohesiveness of the design elements. Functionality is crucial as it ensures that the design serves its intended purpose and is user-friendly. Lastly, empathy is an important aspect of design as it involves understanding. And connecting with the emotions and experiences of the target audience. By incorporating these three guidelines into your design process, you can create designs that are visually appealing, user-friendly, and resonate with the intended audience.
New York Art Life Magazine: We were fascinated and amazed by the expressive power of your paintings. Can you enlighten us on, for example, two extraordinary paintings such as “Big Fish” and “The Beheading”
Susanna Li: Big Fish is inspired by the eponymous movie directed by Tim Burton. The painting captures the poignant moment when the father character is passing away. My rendition of this scene is emotive, encapsulating the profound sadness and our desire to leave a sign of our passage between life and death. Through my use of B/W and form, I effectively convey the bittersweet reality of mortality. ‘The Beheading’, is a passion project that combines elements of modern censorship with a dramatic dripping technique. This piece serves as an homage to Artemisia Gentileschi’s ‘Judith Beheading Holofernes’, but with a contemporary twist. I incorporate elements of modern censorship into the composition to comment on societal issues, while the dramatic dripping method adds an element of raw intensity to the scene.
New York Art Life Magazine: During the past of XXXtentacion, you created a mind-blowing portrait of none other than Billie Eilish and XXX himself. Now, these two were known to be close friends, so we can imagine the emotional depth of this piece.
Susanna Li: During an interview with Billie Eilish on MONTREALITY, a popular YouTube channel known for its in-depth interviews with some of the biggest names in music, this painting appeared during the interview. The interview got an incredible 5.2 million views! Can you believe it? There are 5.2 million people who have been able to watch the beautiful friendship between Billie and XXX also through my painting. I couldn’t believe it, incredible!!!
New York Art Life Magazine: Being based in New York, you have access to a vibrant and diverse creative community that fuels your creativity. The city itself serves as an endless source of inspiration for you, with its bustling streets, iconic architecture, and rich cultural heritage. How does our electrifying The City influence your creativity? We’re talking about New York City.
Susanna Li: Oh, New York, the city that never sleeps and never stops inspiring my design daily! I mean, how can it not? Everywhere you look, there’s something funky, edgy, and just downright cool happening. The hustle and bustle of the streets, the vibrant colors of the graffiti-covered walls, and the eclectic mix of people from all walks of life – it’s like a never-ending buffet of creativity for my design senses. I can’t help but absorb the energy and translate it into my work. It’s like the city is whispering in my ear, “Hey, make it bold, make it unique, and make it New York!”
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