Steffi Lynn Tsai

Steffi Lynn Tsai is a hand letterer, illustrator, designer, and muralist based in Brooklyn, New York. Her colorful work typically features unique lettering and is infused with playful and exciting elements. Over the course of her career, Steffi has worked with a range of clients including American Eagle, Converse, Honda, Sephora and more. Her work is inspired by everyday things, reactions and feelings, and simple imagery from her imagination or nature, and you can make a piece of Steffi’s art your own by shopping her online store, Have A Nice Day.

Hi Steffi! Tell us about yourself - how did you get to where you are today? When did you first become interested in art and design? 

Hi! I grew up in a really creative family and was also encouraged to challenge my artistic skill. Although I never formally studied art until college, I was always experimenting at home with different mediums. I went to Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and studied Communication Design, specializing in Illustration.

Artist and Illustrator Steffi Lynn Tsai

How would you describe your aesthetic and how has it changed over time? 

My aesthetic has always been really colorful and bold! I think over time, I definitely adjusted to more elevated color palettes but still kept the youthful-ness to it. I create to inspire others and bring positivity into the world, and I don’t think that has ever changed. I started my career specializing in hand lettering, but have since added in more figurative elements.

Are there particular themes you like to explore through your work? 

Nature and everyday feelings/sayings are recurring themes that I don’t think I will ever get rid of!

You’ve worked with a wide range of clients including Samsung, Adobe, Wendy’s, Chipotle, and AIGA. How do you approach creative collaboration with your clients?

It is really important for me to create with clients rather just for them. I want to make sure we work together and include other people’s visions into my work. I like to approach each project with a group effort mentality.

What is your creative process like?

My process usually starts with simple shapes and line work to help with composition. I work a lot with symmetry, so making sure each work has that balance is super important to me. After creating a composition, I loosely sketch and then move on to the color palette. Picking colors is my favorite part! It really brings out a piece and make everything come to life.

Your shop, Have a Nice Day, is full of colorful accessories, apparel, prints and more. What was the catalyst that led you to create the shop and what types of products are your favorite to design? 

I think I just really, really like to make things. It used to be all handmade items and crafts, but that turned me into kind of a hoarder. From there, I decided why not create stuff for myself but also make it available to the world? So that is how Have A Nice Day was born!

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration everywhere, honestly!  I like simple everyday interactions and universal feelings. Most of the time when I do a lettering piece, I letter something that I personally need to hear or read that day. I also love nature and plants. I like to recreate Earth in my own little fantasy.

What advice would you give to new artists who are just starting out? 

My number one piece of advice is to just be scared and go for it. Be uncomfortable and work at it until you are not.

What are you working on now and what’s up next for you? 

I just opened a brick and mortar in Austin, Texas called Roommate Collective! And I am hopefully bringing back my interactive museum in the next few years.

Thank you for sharing with us Steffi! To view more of Steffi’s work, visit her website and follow her on Instagram.

Steffi was nominated by Noun Project. All art courtesy of Steffi Lynn Tsai.