Interview
Danting Li
1 Congratulations on winning the French Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
I am Danting Li, also known as Liz, a senior graphic designer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. I hold a Master’s degree in design and have over ten years of professional experience spanning graphic design, branding, UI/UX design, typography, motion graphics, video editing, photography, and front-end development. My approach combines conceptual creativity with technical precision to craft visual experiences that are both impactful and memorable. In my role at ZAM Network, I contributed to branded campaigns for globally recognised gaming companies such as PUBG Mobile, Tencent, LPL, and Alchemy Stars. My work emphasises storytelling, visual innovation, and emotional resonance. Currently, I am a senior designer and co-founder of SparksGlo, where I oversee the full creative process—from concept development to final delivery—for logos, brand systems, and websites across static, CMS, and e-commerce platforms. My inspiration to pursue design stems from the ability to communicate culture, social impact, and business value through visual language. I am fascinated by how design can translate complex ideas and intangible narratives into experiences that engage, inform, and inspire audiences.
2 What does being recognised in the French Design Awards mean to you?
Being awarded Silver in the categories "User Interface Design – Real Estate" for the “SparksGlo Real Estate Agent WordPress Website Template” and "Packaging Design – Limited Edition" and "Packaging Design – Self Promotion" for “SparksGlo Horse Sugar Script Blind Box” is an extraordinary honour. Recognition on an international platform like the French Design Awards affirms the creative and strategic rigour of my work. It enhances visibility to potential clients and collaborators while positioning me among senior designers in the global design community. Beyond professional exposure, this recognition validates my philosophy of integrating innovation, cultural storytelling, and user-centric design.
3 How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?
These accolades have significantly expanded SparksGlo’s audience reach. Real estate professionals have approached me regarding the “SparksGlo Real Estate Agent WordPress Website Template”, while enthusiasts of Chinese culture and collectable design have shown interest in the “SparksGlo Horse Sugar Script Blind Box”. This attention has increased traffic and engagement for SparksGlo and opened opportunities for client collaborations, licensing discussions, and potential partnerships that align with our brand vision. Recognition has also strengthened my team’s credibility in both UI/UX and packaging design sectors.
4 What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?
Experimentation is central to my creative process. For the “SparksGlo Real Estate Agent WordPress Website Template”, I conducted iterative usability testing to identify edge cases and refine the user interface for optimal interaction. In packaging projects like the “SparksGlo Horse Sugar Script Blind Box”, I produced multiple test prints to evaluate how design elements, patterns, and colour systems translate across different materials and finishes. These experiments allowed me to explore typographic scale, spatial hierarchy, and materiality, ensuring the final output is both aesthetically compelling and production-ready.
5 What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
For the “SparksGlo Horse Sugar Script Blind Box”, I conducted direct observation at a zoo to study horses’ movement, posture, and hoof patterns in natural settings. I documented these details and abstracted them into the visual language of the packaging, creating dynamic patterns and narrative forms that evoke the essence of the animals. This hands-on research provided a level of authenticity and emotional resonance that could not be achieved through reference images alone.
6 What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
Consistency is crucial throughout the design process, whether in typography, colour systems, iconography, or brand voice. Maintaining visual and conceptual consistency across multiple design phases is challenging, yet it ensures that the final work communicates clearly, builds trust, and establishes a cohesive brand identity.
7 How do you navigate the balance between meeting client expectations and staying true to your ideas?
I view design as a collaborative process, where aligning client objectives and creative vision is essential. By focusing on shared goals and clear communication, I can integrate client requirements without compromising design integrity. The balance emerges naturally when both parties are committed to delivering a solution that is functional, visually compelling, and strategically effective.
8 What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
For the “SparksGlo Horse Sugar Script Blind Box”, the challenge was organising multiple horse characters into a cohesive visual composition. Initial layouts felt cluttered, so I developed storyboards, experimented with typographic scripts, and tested numerous spatial arrangements until achieving harmony between narrative, symbolism, and visual hierarchy. For the “SparksGlo Real Estate Agent WordPress Website Template”, certain design concepts were difficult to implement during development. I collaborated closely with developers, iteratively adjusting visual components to achieve a balance between aesthetic quality and technical feasibility. This process ensured that the final product remained both elegant and functional.
9 How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
When encountering creative blocks, I immerse myself in research and exploration. I analyse competitors’ design strategies, study innovative work in online exhibitions, and review projects recognised by authoritative awards such as the French Design Awards. These activities expose me to emerging trends, novel techniques, and unexpected solutions, which often reignite creative thinking and inform my design decisions.
10 What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
I embed values such as female empowerment, confidence, dignity, and empathy into my work. Cultural narratives, particularly elements of Chinese heritage, are also integral. These values inform both the conceptual framework and visual execution of my designs, allowing them to communicate meaningfully and resonate with diverse audiences.
11 What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
Focus on continuous practice and thoughtful observation. Study emerging design trends, anticipate how visual culture evolves, and consider the broader impact of your work. Building a strategic, forward-thinking approach will enhance both your creative influence and professional reach.
12 If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would collaborate with Anatol Knotek. His work in visual and concrete poetry, conceptual art, and installation design is internationally recognised, combining wit, irony, and formal experimentation. I am inspired by how he translates literary structures into visual experiences, and his approach aligns with my interest in integrating narrative and abstraction in design. Collaborating with him would be a valuable exploration of conceptual rigour and visual play.
13 What's one question you wish people would ask you about your work, and what's your answer?
I wish people would ask about the upcoming projects I am ready to launch. I would highlight the “SparksGlo Real Estate Agent WordPress Website Template”, which is fully designed and development-ready. It allows U.S.-based real estate agents to showcase active listings and personal branding through a customisable, ready-to-use platform. This project represents a significant long-term focus, combining usability, aesthetic refinement, and accessibility, and I welcome inquiries from professionals interested in adopting this template.
