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Hello, nice to meet you.
I'm Cola/ Yan Zhang. I help ideas, brands, and people communicate across cultures. I am a visual designer based in Rotterdam, originally from Shanghai. After moving to the Netherlands in 2010 to pursue a Master’s degree in Media Design and Communication, I founded my independent practice olaCola, focusing on visual storytelling and cross-cultural communication between China and Europe. Having lived and worked between the two cultures for over a decade, I have become increasingly interested in how design can bridge differences in language, aesthetics, and market expectations. I see visual communication not only as a way to convey information but also as a tool for building understanding between people, brands, and cultures. My work spans architecture, urban planning, culture and branding, translating complex ideas into accessible visual narratives. Through brand identity, multimedia presentations, editorial design and strategic storytelling, I help Chinese organizations communicate with international audiences while supporting European designers and institutions in engaging with the Chinese market. |
Service
· Cross-cultural Brand
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· Marketing Communication
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EXPERIENCECross-cultural Branding & Communication
2013–Present Founder & Cross-cultural Communication Designer olaCola, Rotterdam Independent practice focused on branding, visual communication, and market-oriented storytelling. Creative Exchange Between China and Europe 2015–Present Co-founder & Creative Director ChinaCalling, Shanghai Connecting Dutch and Chinese creative communities through exhibitions, publications, and collaborative projects. Visual Storytelling for Architecture & Urban Planning 2013–Present Freelance Multimedia Designer MLA+, Rotterdam and Shenzhen Visual storytelling and presentation design for architecture and urban planning projects. |
EDUCATIONMA. Lens-Based Media Design and Communication
Piet Zwart Institute, Rotterdam | 2010-2012 MA. Visual Communication Shanghai Donghua University | 2008-2010 BA. New Media Art & Design Shanghai Donghua University | 2004-2008 PUBLIC TALKSNew Silkroad | 2017.3
VPRO Tegenlicht Meet Up, Rotterdam Collaboration | 2015.7 Creative Mornings, Rotterdam China Creates | 2015.1 Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam download PORTFOLIO
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