HENRY YIU
URBAN INFLUENCE DESIGN STUDIO

Henry Yiu doesn't just "do" design — he lives it. From the minute Yiu walks into a building, glances down a menu or passes by a billboard, he sees design. His passion is to examine, absorb and interpret design anywhere he goes and to bring these insights into every project. His design goal has always been the same: to wow people. Design must impact you immediately, or it won't make a difference. This is ultimately the goal of Urban Influence Design Studio (UI), where Yiu is a creative director and a principal partner. Before UI, Yiu worked at the renowned Hornall Anderson Design Works (HADW) for six years. At HADW, he learned everything from how to use an X-Acto knife to how to build world-class brands. He designed for clients small and large, including Starbucks, K2 Skis, Giro, Widmer Brothers Brewery, Microsoft Corporation, Intel Corporation, Boeing Business Jets, Belkin, Bogart Golf, AT&T Wireless, CitationShares Private Jets, Infocus Corporation, Washington Wizards NBA Basketball Team, Seed IP Intellectual Law Firm, Duty Free Store, Mulvanny G2 Architects, Freemotion Fitness, Lindeman Wines, Aquantive, Bucky Pillows, Blue Nile and F5 Networks. His designs have won recognition from a number of associations and publications, including Communication Arts, Print, HOW, Graphis, Graphic Design USA and the International Mobius Advertising Awards.

Was graphic design your first career path?

I was one quarter away from graduating with a B.S. in mechanical engineering, when I dropped out. It wasn't for me. It was too much like what everybody else was doing. I wanted creativity, wanted to influence and persuade by the power of graphics. After dropping out of engineering, I started my first year in the visual communications at Cornish College of the Arts. Needless to say, I've been hooked ever since.

What talents do you wish you possessed?

I wish I could write better. Writing elevates concepts and design exponentially — you're able to make an impact both visually and verbally. In my opinion, copy is just as integral as design.

Which project in your portfolio are you most proud of?

The project I'm most proud of in my portfolio is a brochure for Boeing Business Jets. It was one of the first projects I ever designed, with a tight deadline of five weeks. The client wanted the brochure to reflect and capture the interior possibilities and the materials of the business jet. I threw in every technique and material I'd ever wanted to use in a design: leather, wood, metal, letterpress, embossing and printing. I had to coordinate six vendors to complete and manufacture the brochure but it was beautiful. It was delivered only a week late, and the client was more than satisfied.

When you have a deadline, do you start right away, wait until the last minute or switch back and forth between projects?

I like to switch projects back and forth. I like to plant the seed of a new project and let it sink in for a few days. After a while, concepts begin to grow and the goals of the project are more clear.

What is your worst habit?

I am a chronic over-deliverer, even when I know it's out of scope or timeline. This leads to a lot of sleepless nights and has inevitably affected the rest of the offices' amount of sleep.

Should graphic design be an instrument for positive social change?

Definitely. Design is a very persuasive means of communication; it connects immediately and emotionally. Design should be used to help people, as much as it is used to sell. I think it's great that designers are beginning to design more for social issues they believe in. Currently I'm working on projects for the SCIDPDA, which is a non-profit organization that advocates for the Seattle Chinatown International District, a historically low-income immigrant neighborhood. SCIDPDA has great social programs that help it's neighborhood residents in need.

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