Rebuilding a Creative Career Through a Return to Graphic Design and the Art of Photography

Tell us a bit about who you are, where you’re from, and what you do.

I’m Sue, 28, from Malaysia. When I was 19, I moved to Tokyo and spent six years there between language school and university. In that time, I made many friends and began to discover my own creative voice and style. Living abroad for six years helped me grow so much as a person. It felt like the shift from being a girl to becoming a young adult. Japan still plays a huge role in my life. It’s shaped my values, my approach to work, how I spend my days, my taste in food, the way I connect with people, and even how I create. All of it has become part of who I am. Japan will always be my second home.

That’s such a heart-warming story. When you say “your approach to work,” what do you mean by that?

For me, it’s about having a “can-do” mindset and facing challenges with positivity. Not giving up too quickly, and always trying to see if I can solve a problem on my own before asking for help. That’s what it means.

Japanese workplaces are often said to be pretty tough, right?

I’ve heard it’s been changing. Especially in companies shaped by Gen Z values, the environment feels more flexible.

And what about your own work experience in Japan?

I only ever worked part-time, so I never had the “full-time employee” experience. But balancing work and studies taught me a lot about managing my time, money, and life. I feel like those lessons still shape the way I go about my daily life today.

While balancing work and studies, did you find the kind of creative path you wanted to pursue in Japan?

Yes. I went to Bunka Gakuen University. It’s well-known for fashion, but I was in the Department of Design. There, I was able to explore many areas—graphic design, editorial design, pattern design, photography, and filmmaking. The only downside was that during my third and fourth years, classes shifted mostly online because of COVID, so I feel like I couldn’t fully experience or learn as much as I wanted to.

You’ve explored so many different creative fields, haven’t you?

That’s true. But right now, I feel like I want to focus on just one and really build a foundation there. I’m still figuring out which one that will be. I don’t want to keep saying, “I couldn’t learn properly because of COVID.” There’s always another way to find creativity, so I’m still searching for it.

Is there something you especially love?

I really enjoy photography and editorial design. Digital is the norm now, but I think magazines still speak a unique language. You can hold them, flip through the pages, and look forward to the next issue, like FUDGE or POPEYE. I used to buy a lot of teen magazines too. I also made zines: one for my graduation project, and a smaller one as part of a class assignment. To be honest, I’m kind of lazy (laughs). So I’m always thinking of ways to finish projects with as little time, money, and energy as possible. Just yesterday, I was looking back at old work and found a small zine I had made. I used butter paper and drawing paper, and the theme was “homemade juice.” My dad used to make juice for me all the time when I was at home, so it became a motif tied to those warm family memories.

When did your creative journey begin, and how did it take shape?

I began drawing around the age of four. Starting with crayons, then colored pencils, then watercolor. From there, my interest naturally grew into graphic design and photography. I still remember small, unusual fragments from childhood, and I think those moments sparked my creativity. At first, I would sketch stories like little comics, told in panels. As I got older, I began channeling more emotion into my work. In photography, sometimes I reach for bold, vivid colors, and other times I strip it back to black and white when it feels right. For me, it’s about choosing between strong tones, muted palettes, or monochrome. Keeping it simple and true.

When you shoot portraits, you often work with people you are meeting for the first time. Since you describe yourself as introverted, how do you approach those moments?

Portraits are actually what I feel most confident about. When I photograph someone, I start by talking with them to understand who they are, what they like, and what kind of images they want. If they get nervous during the shoot, I bring up topics they are interested in so their natural smile comes out. At first I practiced with friends, then later I photographed a few people I had never met before. They were nervous and I was nervous too, but once we had a good conversation, something genuine always came through in the photos.

Do you remember your very first photography job?

It started when some of my friends in Japan needed photos to apply to modeling agencies, and I took pictures for a few of them. Friends from Jamaica, Germany, and a friend who was half American and half Japanese. Through that, I learned how important it is to talk with people while photographing them. One friend told me, “Sometimes people feel more comfortable with a woman photographer. You’re good at making people relax, so you should take this more seriously.” That encouragement really stayed with me. I even received small payments here and there. In graphic design, my very first job was creating POSM materials, like posters and table displays.

What is the moment that makes you happiest when doing creative work?

With photography, it is the moment I feel like I have truly captured something. Sometimes I see it with my eyes but miss it with the camera, so when I manage to hold onto that fleeting moment, it makes me happy. I also feel joy when editing brings out a beautiful result. With film, since you cannot see the outcome right away, there is a special excitement when the developed photos turn out well. With graphic design, which I have recently returned to, I feel happiest when I can organize a lot of information into a limited space and still make the layout feel clean and balanced. It is similar to the joy of information design. Lately, I have been learning UI/UX with Figma, hoping to master it properly. One day, I would love to design an app.

There was a time when you stepped away from graphic design, right?

Yes. Back in school, I found Photoshop very difficult. Illustrator was a little easier, but it was still challenging. On top of that, the software interface was in English while the classes were in Japanese. At the time I was still learning the language, so studying design in Japanese felt overwhelming. That is why I shifted my focus to media production and visual communication instead. I would take photos and then shape them into magazines. Now, little by little, I am finding my way back as a freelance creative, learning from YouTube and practicing with Figma. The first creative project I took on after returning was copywriting for a diffuser brand. I wrote every day while reading magazines and books for inspiration. In the beginning it felt difficult, but as I built up small skills it became fun and I could keep going. That reminded me of my time in Japan. My first speech, my first part-time job, and graduating from university all taught me to move forward step by step. That is the way I want to continue now.

What does photography mean to you?

For me, it is about capturing a moment that will never come again. It connects a little to the reason I came to Japan. At first, I wanted to go to America or Europe because English would be easier there. But then I had the chance to go to Japan, and I thought, this opportunity may never come again in my life, so I decided to take it. Photography feels the same. When I find a moment, I want to capture it, because it will never return in the same way.

You started taking photos when you were fifteen, right?

Yes. I received a digital camera for my birthday, and I still treasure it today. I also use film cameras and my phone, but I am still learning how to shoot with film. I feel that digital cameras capture the essence of photography. There are so many settings, and even if something looks beautiful in real life, it does not mean it will come out beautifully in a photo. On the other hand, even something plain can look amazing if the photographer has the skill. Before leaving Japan, I sold my film camera, but I still enjoy using disposable cameras like Utsurun Desu. Since you cannot see the results until they are developed, it is a real joy when the photos turn out well. Film is expensive, and sometimes an entire roll comes out completely black, but that is part of the experience. So while I cannot call myself a fully trained professional photographer, photography is still a passion I love deeply.

Did your mindset change once money became involved?

At that time, not really, since I was not a professional yet. My main motivation was simply that I loved doing it. But because my family runs an advertising company, I also understand that once money is involved, there are often unreasonable revisions or unrealistic demands that come up in the process.

Let me ask you something a bit abstract. How have graphic design and photography influenced your life?

Graphic design taught me the importance of bringing order, of thinking about things in a clear and structured way. Photography taught me to look deeper. Even when something looks beautiful on the surface, there is always a story behind it. It helped me develop the eye to notice that.

Do you have any goals for the future?

My biggest goal right now is to become a digital product designer. I have only just started learning UI/UX, but I still find graphic design fun too. Even if I sometimes feel like quitting, I think in most cases it just means I need a break. When I rest, the motivation comes back. That happened to me. I stepped away for a few years, then suddenly felt like creating again and returned. What triggered it was my current work in marketing and other creative-related fields. I realized I was thinking creatively but not actually making anything. When you think creatively, you naturally want to create. Once you take in inspiration, you want to find a way to put something out into the world.

That sounds great. Are you planning to apply for graphic design positions in the future?

I am still undecided. I want to take that step when I truly feel ready. For now, I see myself as warming up, but I believe I can do it. At the moment, I am working freelance, though eventually I would like to challenge myself with a creative role as an employee too. Recently, I have taken on projects like selecting photos, doing layouts, and writing copy for a cake shop. I also enjoy copywriting since I have always loved working with words.

One last question. What advice would you give to your past self?

I would tell myself to be brave enough to express my own style and not to worry too much about what others think. Your style is what makes you who you are. Take breaks when you need them, but never give up. Even if you step away for a long time, you can always come back.