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Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Interview With Sophia Chang

Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Interview With Sophia Chang

We spoke to the talented illustrator and designer about how growing up in Queens, NY influenced her work, and much more—including sneakers, of course.

Zack Schlemmer

Stadium Goods is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by highlighting creatives and influencers of Asian descent that we call friends.

For our first interview this month, we’re excited to feature Sophia Chang, a renowned illustrator and designer who also happens to love sneakers. In fact, she not only collects sneakers, but has designed her own styles while collaborating with Puma and Cole Haan, and her clients also include sneaker and sneaker-adjacent brands like Nike, Foot Locker, the NBA, and Topps trading cards. But let’s not pigeonhole Sophia as only a designer in the sneaker, fashion and sports worlds. She can do it all!

A Queens native of Korean descent, Sophia brings her hard-working New Yorker mentality to graphic design and illustration while also keeping her aesthetic fun, playful and colorful. If you’re unfamiliar with her work, let’s change that. Check out her website HERE, and read the full interview below.

Photo by Courtney Dudley

Hi Sophia, thank you for taking the time to chat with us today. And thank you for participating in our Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month interview series. We’re honored to have you!

Can you please start by introducing yourself to our readers? How would you describe yourself in one or two sentences to somebody that isn’t familiar with you and your work?

Thanks so much for having me be a part of this series! My name is Sophia Chang, and on the internets I also go by @esymai pronounced as “es-y-mai”. Which stands for my initials SC and “i am” backwards. I’m an illustrator and designer!

Hunter Boots Mural Advertisement Illustration by Sophia

How did growing up in Queens, NY influence your interests and passions? Do you think you would be where you are today professionally if you grew up in say…Kansas?

The cultural diversity, constant overstimulation with sights, sounds, smells and immigrant work ethic deeply influenced my interests and passions. Gosh, I can’t even imagine what I would be like if I grew up in Kansas. Professionally my Queens roots also teach me to always look out for others. Many people supported me in my career journey and I try my best to make sure to continue to pass work opportunities to people within my community.

Design for NBA x Michelob Ultra Team Can Series

Since this is Stadium Goods, you know we have to talk sneakers! What are your all-time favorites, and what have you been feeling lately?

I used to love AF1s but we know those are kinda getting killed these past few years. Recently I’ve been loving my Nike Air Max Tailwind 5 Skeptas and my Nike x Undercover Presto React in black. I recently created my first women's footwear capsule with Cole Haan and the GrandPrø Topspin is going to be a staple for me this summer. Other than these ones in a light rotation, I live in my Crocs or Aimé Leon Dore Garden Mules.

Sophia’s Recent Collection with Cole Haan

Do you have a favorite sneaker to illustrate? Is there one that’s easier or more fun to draw than others?

I don’t spend too much time drawing sneakers, typically it’s client work these days. But I did do a watercolor drawing of my first pair of AF1s which were an iconic shoe of my youth.

Sneaker and streetwear cultures are traditionally dominated by men, for sure, but the art and design worlds are, as well. Do you feel like you’ve ever been taken less seriously in your line of work because you’re an Asian woman or even just a woman, period? How have you dealt with that, and what advice would you have for other Asian women in that circumstance?

I think any woman in any male-dominated industry has felt this before. My approach has always been to let my work and work ethic speak for itself. People can’t knock the hustle and output, period.

You’ve been featured on various platforms including Nike SNKRS for your opinions on sneakers and streetwear, and you’ve even shown off your impressive collection. How does it feel to be such a respected voice in the culture?

I’m grateful to be able to build the collection of sneakers I have now. My love of sneakers started from childhood with no real prompt, just something I really enjoyed integrating as a part of self expression. It’s such an honor to be a collector and someone who continues to work in the sneaker / footwear space. I’m always grateful for the creative opportunities and deeply humbled by those who support my work and thoroughly enjoy the products themselves. It brings me joy to know that my work product can bring someone the same joy I experience as a collector.

Do you have any advice for other Asian-Americans that may be trying to succeed in a career in art and design?

The Asian-American journey can be such a battle and so extremely personal as we grow and learn to let go of aspects of our culture that don’t serve us. But also take on aspects of Western culture that shapes and defines our priorities in life. Being true to you as an individual is very challenging as our Asian roots often demand so much of who we should be or ought to be. Especially when it comes to our career choices without feeling waves of disappointment from our immigrant families. Staying true to ourselves and our passions is the key. Working hard to show that there is a way and working to try and be the best version of you, but also the best there is in your respective industry is key.

What Asian artists, illustrators, designers, or other creatives have you been inspired by throughout your career?

So many! James Jean, Jillian Tamaki, James Yang and my peers Yoon Hyup, Louie Chin, Shawna X. We’re all in it together.

You can visit Sophia’s website https://esymai.com/ and follow her on Instagram at @esymai