From Parsons to Global Galleries: Lingyi Kong’s Design Dedication

I'm Lingyi Kong, an interdisciplinary designer with a versatile background in graphic design, creative technology, and illustration. In addition to my practice, I teach at Parsons School of Design, where I focus on interactive design, programming, and brand design.

With extensive experience in cross-disciplinary collaboration and a passion for pushing the boundaries of creative technology, I have established my own studio dedicated to branding, creative technology development, and art direction. My work has been featured in renowned museums, bookstores, and galleries worldwide, where I continue to explore the fusion of art and technology.

I have always been deeply curious about how the world is structured, which naturally led me to explore the role of a designer. During my teenage years, I discovered that several of my favourite manga artists had started their careers as designers before transitioning to full-time artistry. This connection between design and artistic expression fascinated me and inspired me to delve deeper into what it means to be a designer or artist.

With a strong desire to express my ideas and a habit of researching and reflecting on them, pursuing this path felt not just natural but inevitable. Over time, this curiosity and drive have become the foundation of my creative practice, guiding me toward a career that allows me to merge exploration, innovation, and storytelling.

At Mars Pharaoh Studio, we focus on creating impactful projects that seamlessly blend cultural resonance with commercial value. As the founder and creative director, I lead a small but dynamic team dedicated to pushing the boundaries of design. Our work spans diverse fields, including brand design, art book publishing, curatorial projects, creative coding, product design, and design education.

Guided by our philosophy of “connecting culture through design,” we collaborate with clients across various industries to deliver exceptional design solutions that tell meaningful stories and make a lasting impact. Our studio is committed to innovation and excellence, bridging disciplines to shape a more connected and culturally rich world through design.

To me, design is fundamentally about providing thoughtful solutions. At its core, good design strikes a delicate balance between addressing practical problems and evoking a sense of joy and connection.

When I develop a design concept, I focus not only on its functionality but also on the emotional experience it creates. A truly successful design is one that comes to life and delivers a meaningful, enjoyable experience for its audience or client. In this way, I see design as a powerful bridge of communication—one that solves problems fosters understanding, and enriches lives.

I’ve been paying close attention to motion design and creative programming over the past couple of years, especially the fusion of AI and design systems. As technology advances, the range of tools available to designers keeps expanding, and putting new technologies into the hands of creative professionals can yield truly unexpected outcomes.

In my own work, I incorporate many dynamic concepts, and I find it exciting to push beyond the traditional boundaries of design. AI-driven interfaces now offer more diverse choices and more convenient services on design platforms, which prompts us to reflect on what it is that designers—or humans—truly excel at in this new landscape.

Good design not only provides effective problem-solving solutions but also has a lasting impact on the future. Essentially, any solution that truly works can be considered a good design. For example, Jerry Sternin’s initiative in Vietnam to address child malnutrition stands out as an excellent design case study. By leveraging local expertise and developing solutions tailored to limited resources, Sternin’s project greatly improved the nutritional status of Vietnamese children—a powerful illustration of design at its best.

The idea for Goodbye, Icarus emerged during my two-year residency in Rhode Island, where I was captivated by the dynamic interplay between coding tools and the natural environment in the context of book art. The project reimagines the book as an installation, transforming it from a traditional medium into a multidimensional experience. By integrating spatial interaction, sound signals, and digital rhythms, the book transcends text and images to create an immersive narrative.

For instance, the sound of ocean waves recorded in Rhode Island acts as a controller for the narrative rhythm, weaving elements of nature into the book’s interactive structure. This fusion of natural and digital elements not only enriches the storytelling experience but also challenges conventional ways of engaging with the book's architecture and materiality, inviting readers into a new realm of sensory and intellectual exploration.

As a multidisciplinary designer, my sources of inspiration are as diverse as my practice. With a broad perspective, I find inspiration everywhere, because challenges and opportunities for problem-solving exist in every corner of life. Designers are here to address these problems, and everyday life becomes our laboratory for discovering them.

For instance, my teaching experience at Parsons has been a rich source of inspiration. Observing students navigate various challenges, worries, and creative obstacles often sparks ideas for new projects. In this sense, being a designer comes with a unique privilege: we are constantly surrounded by opportunities to innovate and create, ensuring that inspiration is never in short supply.

Absolutely. My cultural heritage has had a profound impact on my design process. Engaging with China’s rich artistic traditions and cultural treasures has shaped my sensitivity to materials, craftsmanship, and the qualities that make a piece truly exceptional. Additionally, my exchanges with traditional craft artisans in Japan deepened my appreciation for cultural storytelling and the value of design rooted in heritage.

At the same time, working in the United States—a hub for global cultural exchange—has broadened my perspective, teaching me how to create designs that resonate universally while remaining authentic to their origins. This blend of cultural depth and global awareness has been a cornerstone of my practice, enabling me to craft work that is both meaningful and impactful.

I’m truly honoured. Receiving a Gold Award in such a globally renowned competition is a strong affirmation of both my work and design philosophy. We’ve always focused on maintaining an international perspective, and this recognition has opened new opportunities for our studio.

Goodbye, Icarus explores the integration of programming tools within environmental contexts to enhance visual storytelling. Inspired by the residency’s distinctive geography, algorithmic programs were developed to capture natural signals and incorporate them into visual narratives. This work combines immersive environmental interactions, narrative-based print materials, and structural visual storytelling to create a fresh and engaging book-reading experience.

As an artist's book, the project investigates the interplay between materials and hot foil print technology, utilising programming languages, sea wave movement, and innovative book structures to bridge the gap between the digital and physical worlds. By experimenting with creative coding and editorial design, the work challenges traditional visual language and expands the boundaries of storytelling within linear narrative formats in an innovative way.

Combining illustration with creative coding is not a common practice, and before I made this piece, there were practically no references to draw upon. Besides creating illustrations as I usually do, I also had to devise and implement new technologies myself. The design process had to account for both static and interactive narratives, ensuring they worked together without conflict. This complexity increased the difficulty in coding, composition, and overall art direction.

Although it was challenging, I was very satisfied to acquire new technical insights while achieving remarkable visual results. As I applied the techniques from this project to develop new dynamic elements, I even received an invitation from the Art Innovation Gallery to showcase my work on a Times Square billboard. That was a rewarding moment, indeed.

This experience has made me focus more on the impact of my design work. As a designer, showcasing my creations on the international stage serves as both a test and affirmation of my abilities. I plan to channel even more energy into this going forward, aiming to produce additional work that garners recognition and acclaim.

What sets my design apart is my approach to integrating cross-media technology and innovative applications into traditional disciplines. This combination has helped establish my reputation in the industry, as I focus on blending technical advancements with thoughtful design. The attention to detail and the execution of my projects reflect this commitment to pushing the boundaries of what design can achieve.

I also believe in the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. Working with professionals from different fields often sparks new ideas and brings fresh perspectives to a project. These exchanges allow me to approach design challenges in ways that feel fresh and relevant, helping to expand the possibilities within the industry while contributing meaningful work that resonates both creatively and technically.

Artificial intelligence has become an undeniable force. Ever since AI tools exploded onto the scene in 2022, our industry has changed considerably—many aspects of my undergraduate work process have already been replaced. New tools and trends continue to emerge, and the context and requirements for projects are shifting in tandem.

Overall, there’s been a dramatic enrichment of visual possibilities, but design isn’t just about aesthetics. Focusing on the balance between function and visuals is crucial for us to maintain growth and keep learning.

I’m currently teaching at Parsons School of Design in the United States—one of the world’s top design institutions. In our curriculum updates, we’ve incorporated a significant amount of AI and API-related coursework. I believe this reflects a broader trajectory in design education, as well as in the design field itself. Over the next five to ten years, we can expect this trend to become even more pronounced, and we need to stay up-to-date to remain relevant.

Stay informed about current design trends, strive to produce fully realised work with careful attention to detail, and pay close attention to how you narrate and showcase your projects.

Securing professional design guidance can greatly benefit the development of your work. Keeping an eye on the specialised resources shared by academic institutions and taking advantage of portfolio reviews offered by various awards are both excellent ways to improve. Additionally, networking with industry professionals will help broaden your horizons.

I believe my greatest advantage is having had the opportunity to develop my skills in top-tier industry settings. I’ve experienced education in different countries and worked at leading companies across various regions. In these environments, I’ve been exposed to the latest trends, cutting-edge technology, and the chance to collaborate with exceptional colleagues. This has enabled me to learn quickly and cultivate distinctive insights. Understanding one’s surroundings—and oneself as a designer—makes it far easier to produce outstanding work.