Yaoming Yan — Beijing, China

“Every kind of material is quite interesting since it can usually produce a visual effect once its properties are fully tapped. For me, the difficulty lies in new materials that require repeated tests. Of course, this is the most interesting stage. Take tin, for example. Although it is very common and cannot be utilised in various ways like paper, it has a unique seal ability and is capable of producing a distinctive effect if used properly.”

Beijing-based graphic designer Yaoming Yan, aka Tea Charlie, has been nominated for various packaging-design awards and his work has been published in a number of domestic and foreign professional journals, including New Retro and Iggesund.