Fion on Art, Film, and the Creative Industry in NYC and Malaysia
Fion, the Artist Behind Vacations From Home
Hey! My name is Fion. I’m a graphic designer, photographer and filmmaker, originally from Malaysia. I moved to Melbourne, Australia when I was 17 to study Communication Design at RMIT University.
After graduation, I worked as a graphic designer in a creative agency in New York for a year before settling down in my home country. I’m currently making a transition in my professional career towards filmmaking.
Fion's Design Inspired By Literature
HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR ART AND BEING AN ASPIRING FILMMAKER?
I love experimenting with different art forms, and I think my graphic design work and filmmaking videos somehow complement each other. Both creative outlets inspire each other as the process is very different - I see my art as personal work, and filmmaking as teamwork. I can visualise things in my head and design them immediately on Illustrator, but I need a team to help bring my vision to life for filmmaking.
Life in NYC
WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING AS A CREATIVE IN NEW YORK?
Moving to the United States without knowing anyone was truly terrifying and exhilarating at the same time. Things were rough at first, but the challenge allowed for tremendous growth and learning in a short time. It forced me to grow up.
Working as a creative in New York is amazing as the creative energy is so infectious! Almost everyone I’ve met randomly works in the creative industry in some way, and everyone is just so collaborative and supportive, instead of seeing one another as competition.
I’ve met so many artists from different parts of the world in New York, and we all moved here to achieve something bigger than ourselves.
Original Sticker Sets Offered in a Pop Up in 2021
WHAT IS THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY LIKE IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY, MALAYSIA?
The creative industry in Malaysia is undoubtedly smaller compared to New York, but the community is definitely getting bigger and stronger now. I think there are a lot of talented creatives here, but their work is not discovered because there aren't a lot of opportunities available yet. I believe that it's getting better now and we'll all go somewhere as long as we persevere and keep contributing to the industry.
Fion's Signature Art Style: Inspirational Words and Aesthetic Design
WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR ASPIRING CREATIVES?
I think being authentic with your work as a creative is very important because there is a human behind every screen and they crave for raw connection, authenticity and real unfiltered content in this digital world.
Stay in touch with Fion by checking out her art Instagram and purchase her work on her Etsy.