Daphne Cheng: God is in Artistic Details Too

Daphne Cheng and I met my first week in Berlin and since then she has inspired many in more ways than one- her faith, her challenges and how she has overcome them.

She’s got a creative mind to appreciate art and the little details in things. God has given her that creative mind. I gave her a box of tea from London once and she studied the box and commended on its design. I just had to laugh at her artistic notice of details. We’re all fearfully, uniquely and wonderfully made in His image- from artists to doctors- we all are!

These are the thoughts of a graphic designer…

Seele Magazine: You're a graphic designer- how did you, or what made you go into this line of work?

DC: I’ve liked drawing since I was a child, since I was old enough to know what art was. I was naturally drawn to visual art like paintings, illustrations and book cover designs. I would stare at the images and wish that one day I could make something like what I was seeing. Graphic design is a cool profession I would say. A graphic designer can make anything he or she really likes (no one would make something they don’t like) and this gave me a sense of acknowledgement and achievement, which I cannot find anywhere else. It’s really in my genes.

SM: How can graphic designers glorify God in their work?

DC: 1 Corinthians 10:31 states, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” So it is the attitude in every area of my life, that I am doing something for the glory of God.

“I acknowledge that God gave me the ability and opportunity to do what is in my hand, and I am going to do it to bless others.”

Like other professionals, if I really want to glorify God in every area of my life, I might have to sacrifice some well-paid opportunities from a business, which is not righteous; or I would not make something that represents wickedness or demons for instance. And I do pray for inspiration quite often.

SM: You've lived in England and Germany, and have traveled to many countries, and you are from Macau. How do you look at the world after traveling it?

DC: I think that I developed more confidence through those life experiences. I intentionally look for inspiration from local lives- places, events and people. I spent a long time in Europe as a student (now 3 years), which is another matter than being a tourist. I confront the same life issues as those in my hometown. It seems that the world has become smaller to me and I miss the curiosity from my younger age. My lifestyle, the things I am doing everyday seem the same but I feel myself bigger and more adaptable to different situations.

SM: What is life like in Macau?

DC: A fishpond in which a stable life is guaranteed. It seems to me that everything is expected and remains the same there.

SM: In your opinion, what are the 3 most important things in life?

DC: Love, Hope and Faith.

SM: When you hear the name Jesus what comes to mind?

DC: My best friend forever.