I am Lingyi Kong, founder of Mars Pharaoh, a design studio specializing in branding, creative technology development, and art direction. I also teach at Parsons School of Design, focusing on interactive design, programming, and brand strategy.

My work has been exhibited in renowned museums, bookstores, and galleries worldwide, reflecting my ongoing exploration of the fusion between art and technology.

My passion for design comes from a deep interest in how technology transforms creative expression. Over the years, I have led cross-disciplinary projects that push the boundaries of digital design, shaping the industry’s landscape through innovative approaches.

Winning the MUSE Design Awards is a recognition of this commitment and reinforces my dedication to driving impactful design forward.

I’m truly honored. Winning a Gold in such a globally renowned competition is a strong affirmation of both Mars Pharaoh Studio and myself. Over the years, we have consistently engaged with international audiences, and this award further solidifies our standing in the global design community.

It reaffirms our commitment to pushing creative boundaries and influencing the industry at large. This recognition motivates me to continue shaping impactful design narratives and expanding our influence in the field.

Experimentation is at the core of my creative process. It allows me to explore new ideas, push boundaries, and find innovative solutions that resonate deeply with the audience.

By embracing experimentation, I can blend different perspectives, techniques, and mediums to create something truly unique and meaningful. One of the most impactful examples of experimentation in my work is the Her Way Home project.

This project brings together musicians from Asia to Boston, each carrying a unique blend of heritage, contemporary expression, and artistic evolution. More than just a performance, Her Way Home is a poetic exploration of identity, displacement, and belonging, where nostalgia and aspiration merge into a dynamic artistic dialogue.

Experimentation extended to ensuring the visual identity was cohesive and adaptable across multiple platforms. From logo design to campaign materials and promotional assets, we tested different approaches to maintaining a unified yet flexible aesthetic that could resonate with diverse audiences.

Through this experimental approach, Her Way Home became more than just a performance—it became a cultural branding that embodied a forward-moving journey. The project successfully reflected the duality of cultural roots and new frontiers, creating a powerful connection with the audience.

For Her Way Home, the concept of "pathways"—both literal and metaphorical—became an unusual yet powerful inspiration. This metaphor guided the project’s exploration of identity, displacement, and belonging, blending heritage with contemporary expression.

We visualized movement through rhythmic, repetitive visuals mirroring musical progressions and used chord structures in design to symbolize the tension between nostalgia and aspiration. The logo echoed traditional Asian attire, bridging past and present.

This pathway theme extended to interactive media, breaking conventional performance boundaries and engaging global audiences from Asia to North America. The result was a transformative audiovisual journey, fusing cultural roots with innovative design and music.

One thing I wish more people understood is that design is not just about aesthetics—it’s a problem-solving process rooted in research, experimentation, and iteration. Great design requires deep understanding of the audience, context, and purpose.

It’s not just about making something look good; it’s about creating meaningful, functional, and impactful experiences. Every decision, from color to layout, serves a strategic goal. Collaboration and feedback are also crucial—design thrives when diverse perspectives come together to refine and elevate the final outcome.

Balancing client expectations with my creative vision starts with deep listening and collaboration. For musician clients, I focus on translating their musical language into visuals, ensuring design enhances their narrative without overshadowing it.

Through open dialogue and iterative feedback, I respect their artistic integrity while introducing innovative ideas. By explaining the rationale behind my choices and presenting multiple options, I build trust and create a symbiotic relationship where their expertise and my creativity coexist harmoniously, resulting in work that feels authentic and impactful.

The main challenges in Her Way Home were balancing cultural authenticity with global appeal and coordinating a multidisciplinary, global team. To address cultural sensitivity, we collaborated closely with musicians and consultants, ensuring visuals like the logo subtly honored Asian traditions while remaining universally relatable.

For production, we leveraged digital tools to manage cross-time zone collaboration and integrated sound, motion, and interactivity through prototyping. By focusing on universal themes like identity and belonging, and creating a flexible design system, we overcome these challenges, delivering a culturally rich yet globally resonant experience.

When I hit a creative block, I step away from the project and immerse myself in activities that inspire me. I might listen to music, explore nature, or visit art exhibitions to spark new ideas.

Collaborating with others also helps—brainstorming with colleagues or discussing the project with someone outside my field often brings fresh perspectives.

Finally, I revisit past work or research unrelated topics to find unexpected connections. These breaks and shifts in focus help me return to the project with renewed energy and creativity.

I infuse my designs with a deep commitment to empowerment and inclusivity, particularly for underrepresented voices. Drawing from my belief in the transformative power of design, I strive to bridge the gap between traditional art practices and digital tools.

For example, in projects like Her Way Home, I integrated the Asian community with cultural experiments to help artists preserve their cultural identities while embracing innovation. My work is driven by the value of community-driven collaboration—ensuring that marginalized artists have access to technology and the agency to tell their stories.

By addressing barriers like limited access and technical challenges, I aim to create designs that empower and uplift, transforming digital spaces into platforms for cultural preservation and creative expression.

My advice is to embrace curiosity and collaboration. Stay curious about the world—explore different cultures, disciplines, and technologies to broaden your perspective.

Collaboration is equally important; work with people from diverse backgrounds to challenge your ideas and grow creatively. Also, don’t fear failure—experimentation and iteration are key to innovation.

Finally, always design with purpose. Whether it’s solving a problem or amplifying a voice, let your work have meaning and impact. Success comes from continuous learning, adaptability, and a commitment to making a difference through design.

I would love to collaborate with Studio Dumbar, a Dutch design studio known for their groundbreaking work at the intersection of art, technology, and nature. Their ability to merge cutting-edge technology with poetic, human-centered narratives resonate deeply with my passion for interdisciplinary collaboration and the fusion of art, design, and AI.

Studio Drift’s projects, like their drone performances and kinetic sculptures, push the boundaries of what’s possible, blending science, engineering, and storytelling in ways that inspire me.

Working with them would be an incredible opportunity to explore how technology can amplify artistic expression and create transformative experiences that challenge our perception of the world.

I wish people would ask, “How do you combine art and technology in your work?”

My answer is that I see technology as a tool to amplify artistic expression, not replace it. For example, in my past work series, I integrated publishing design with digital interactivity, allowing artists to preserve their cultural identities while embracing innovation.

By using AI, motion design, and interactive platforms, I create immersive experiences that bridge traditional art forms with modern technology. The key is to let the art lead—technology should enhance the narrative, making it more accessible and impactful without losing its soul.

This approach not only pushes creative boundaries but also empowers artists to tell their stories in new, transformative ways.