Today we’d like to introduce you to Shengxuan Hu
Hi Shengxuan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a graphic designer from Wuhan, China and pursuing an MFA in Graphic Design at Maryland Institute College of art. Since I was a child, I’ve been drawn to painting and anything art-related. My mom used to take me to museums during summer breaks—not so much for the art at first, but for the free air conditioning! (laugh) Over time, though, those visits sparked my interest in the art pieces, and I found myself fascinated by their stories.
In middle school, painting became my escape—a way to cope with the stress of schoolwork and the feeling of being overlooked. Art became my safe space, where I could quiet my mind and find solace in creating. That connection deepened in college when I discovered my passion for graphic design. I’ll never forget my first design project: a zine capturing my emotions over a single day. Holding the printed piece in my hands for the first time was an incredible feeling—I was proud and touched by how something I imagined came to life. It was then I knew this was what I wanted to pursue.
For me, graphic design has become a second language, a way to express my thoughts and feelings as an introvert. It allows me to communicate in ways words often can’t, and it’s a constant reminder of how far I’ve come—from finding art as a refuge to using design as my voice.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Even after a year and a half in the United States, navigating the language and fully integrating into the local culture remains a challenge for me. This struggle extends beyond everyday conversations to the classroom and workplace, where expressing myself clearly can sometimes feel daunting. Finding the right words and ways to communicate my thoughts is an ongoing effort.
Thankfully, design serves as a universal language. Through my work, I can convey my ideas, emotions, and aesthetic sensibilities in ways that transcend words, allowing others to connect with and understand my perspective.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
A lot of my work draws inspiration from nature. Whether it’s using animal movements to create motion graphics or designing travel brochures for the world’s mysterious islands, I see nature as an endless source of creativity. This year, I began working on my thesis, Queer Arcadia, which imagines a harmonious world where queer humans, animals, and plants coexist.
As a queer designer, I see nature as a safe space—free from judgment and shame, a place where authenticity thrives. To bring this vision to life, I’m designing a series of typefaces inspired by queer creatures, creating a publication that collects queer and nature-related writings from the community, and producing a 3D video that visualizes this imagined arcadia.
I’m excited to share this project during my thesis exhibition, which will launch in March next year. For me, this work is about blending creativity and storytelling to envision a world of acceptance and harmony.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my instructor at MICA, Ellen Lupton. In her “Type Spa” class, she revealed the transformative power of typography in graphic design. Through her in-depth teaching and a delightful sense of humor, she made even the most complex design theories feel approachable. We were free to develop our skills without pressure, and every Monday, she brightened our day by bringing homemade baked treats from her studio—making the start of the week feel all the more special.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shengxuanhudesign.cargo.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roberthusx/
