FOUNDER, ILLUSTRATOR, MAKERHi, I’m Mandy
I'm the face behind Zhi Wen Design! I am a Malaysian Chinese (Cantonese descent) who enjoys sharing cultural knowledge, traditions, and nostalgic memories; which led me to create Zhi Wen Design.
WHEN DID IT START?2020
When the world was on lockdown from COVID-19, we missed so many important events such as weddings, baby showers, and milestone birthdays. While browsing through the greeting card aisle, I could not find anything special enough to send my heartfelt wishes to my loved ones in place of my presence.
Therefore, the first cultural wedding card was sketched and made for my friend’s Hindu wedding nuptials (the Hindu wedding card was our first product made!). The wedding couple was exhilarated to find such a unique card that not only portrayed their cultural ceremony but also showcased the traditional symbolic items used in the event.
WHY DID I START?My deep-rooted love and respect for heritage, history, and stationeries!
Growing up in Malaysia, a vibrant, multi-racial country, I was surrounded by a rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and memories that have shaped who I am today. We celebrate culture and traditions together through festivals, weddings, life events, fashion, and even cuisine by sharing and enjoying each other’s cultures. A true melting pot!
With such a rich cultural background, I want to share my knowledge, experiences, and memories through the stationery we use daily. I hope these illustrations will reconnect users with their cherished memories and nostalgic traditions.
WHY THE NAME?Zhi Wen Design
“Zhi Wen” (絺 雯) is the Mandarin version of my Chinese birthname, Hay Man. My full name is Hay Man (Cantonese) Pui (Hokkien). The meaning behind Zhi Wen is “meticulously weaving clouds into stories,” which is not that farfetched from being an illustrator. This inspired me to use it proudly in representing my artwork.
