Zipeng
Zhu
Zipeng Zhu, known to friends as ZZ, is a designer, illustrator and art director who worked at some of New York’s most revered studios before starting his own practice, Dazzle. Relentlessly upbeat and audaciously creative, his goal is to make every day a “razzle dazzle musical.” At a time when that positive energy might be harder to find, ZZ has been using his spare time to create art that spreads love and gives back to the community. Hosting weekly portfolio reviews for aspiring artists and making whenever possible, ZZ continues to dazzle New York and the rest of us, too.
Bringing more dazzle to the city
Designer and Art Director
Above
Zipeng modeling Nike’s
designed by Rich Tu
Photo: Geoff Levy & Sunday Afternoon
Tell us a bit about yourself
04 JUL 2020 My name is Zipeng and I’m from Shenzhen China. In the past 11 years I’ve been living in New York City. Besides living, I’ve also been running my creative practice, Dazzle, in Williamsburg Brooklyn for the past 5 years. I want to make everyday a razzle-dazzle musical and my studio wants to make everything dazzling!
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Mural for The Shanghai Visual Art and Design Exhibition, 2018
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Poster design for Coca-Cola
How have the last few weeks or months shaped or impacted your practice?
Covid didn’t affect me too much in terms of how I work; I’ve been working from home for the past 5 years. It helped me with being more on time to my meetings since the traveling to places has been replaced by a click of a button; however, I’ve lost a few clients, so I have been trying to use the spare time to create art that spreads positivity and love. I’ve been trying to devote my time into giving back to the community. I host a weekly portfolio review for current studio, recent graduates & young professionals.
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Inspiring words from Queen Elizabeth II
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Zipeng designed a helpful
COVID-19 Sex Guide
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Sneeze with swag!
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Billboard design featured in Time Square
Campaign by Print Magazine and Poster House
Whatever I feel, I turn it into something visual.”
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Billboard design featured in Time Square
Campaign by Print Magazine and Poster House
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"No one is free until we are all free" - MLK
Pride, 2020
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"Our future is in our hands"
Wash for 20 seconds!
How are you coping at home?
1. Making! Whatever I feel, I turn it into something visual. Maybe it’s an illustration, or a typographic poster or a dynamic animation. It’s not only a way to self express but it’s also a great way to release.
2. Cooking! I started to cook since there were no restaurants available in the area I’m hiding at. I find chopping onions extremely therapeutic, strongly recommended.
3. Walking! If you can, take a walk. Either listening to the Savage (remix) or the new Blackpink or a simple headspace walking guide can help you take the edge off quite a bit, especially when you can walk more than 30 mins.
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Zipeng becoming a
chef in quarantine
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A Chef Boyarzee masterpiece
What has inspired you recently?
Humans! I genuinely find love and kindness from people, also creativity from people! I’m shocked that 111 days later I’m still making content inspired by what’s going on. I’m honestly surprised by how resilient our species is. It’s also inspiring to see people’s creative solutions to this huge crisis that we live in. Lastly, I’m happy everyone is a little cleaner nowadays.
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Zipeng's debut illustration
in The New Yorker, 2016
What are you looking forward to?
Hug a friend! Dine at restaurants. Eat croissants. Have sex.
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Packaging system designed by
Dazzle Studio for NOVO Brazil Brewing Co
How can people support you?
I have a merch store Dazzle Supply with some fabulous face coverings for trying times like these. We also have sick swag and nice prints for your Instagram and your wall. Hire us! You can check out our work at dazzle.studio or my IG @zzdesign.
Thank you!
Above Zipeng modeling the
Muah Neck Gaiter from Dazzle Supply