SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DESIGN
Yimei Tang is a senior Communication Design student at Syracuse University, born and raised in Beijing and now based in Syracuse, New York. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in the book industry, she spent her childhood surrounded by countless stories in her parents’ book warehouse. This unique upbringing sparked her imagination and instilled a lifelong passion for storytelling and culture. Yimei’s design philosophy is grounded in bringing diverse cultural perspectives into her work. She views design as a powerful medium to bridge cultures, foster understanding, and challenge conventional thinking. Whether through typography, branding, or visual storytelling, she strives to create work that is both thought-provoking and reflective of the world around her. In addition to her cultural inspirations, Yimei is deeply motivated by social and environmental issues. She believes design has the power to critique, provoke, and inspire change, and she often uses her projects to explore and address societal challenges.
WHO IS SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO IN YOUR FIELD? EITHER TODAY OR HISTORICALLY?
I deeply admire Zipeng Zhu, a young and incredibly talented designer who visited our school once. His bold and vibrant work celebrates his cultural identity in such a fearless and creative way. I’m inspired by how he brings his heritage into the spotlight, using design as a tool to share his story with the world. His ability to balance playfulness with sophistication has shown me how design can be both personal and impactful, and he reminds me to embrace my own culture.
WHAT ARE YOU READING, LISTENING TO, WATCHING?
I’m currently reading We Have No Idea, a fascinating book about the mysteries of our universe that science hasn’t yet explained. I’ve been interested in physics and the cosmos since high school, and this book takes a refreshing approach to the unknown. Listing into a Japanese singer-songwriter, Fujii Kaze. His music always brings me warmth and healing through melody. Watching: The Day of the Jackal.
