Meet Yan Yan Candy Ng, Melbourne-based artist and muralist. What started as a leap of faith nine years ago has blossomed into a thriving creative business that turns everyday moments into vibrant illustrations.
Whether she’s designing postcards that celebrate life’s small wonders or transforming blank walls into colourful murals, Candy’s work aims to remind people to pause and appreciate the beauty around us. From market stalls to mural commissions, she’s built her one-woman team on authenticity and connection.
In this exclusive interview, Candy shares how she turned passion into profession, what’s her go-to marketing tool and her honest advice for anyone dreaming of making the creative leap. Let’s meet this local legend!
Tell us about your business, how did it all get started?
It started nine years ago, when my friend passed away, it pushed me to figure out what I want to do. So, I quit my full-time job as a graphic designer and then started doing other things like my freelance project, gallery work, hospitality work and other things to make ends meet. Nine years on, I’m still rolling! Yan Yan Candy Ng is me, a one-woman business offering illustration and mural services.
I mostly design illustrations on posters, postcards, magnets and magazines that people can enjoy. When creating, my inspiration can come from many places. It could be little moments, just walking past a tree, having a conversation with friends or going for a hike. Because my work usually celebrates little things, something to remind myself and others how wonderful life can be.
What’s your go-to product when it comes to promoting your art?
I really love stickers. I put them on everything! It also becomes a conversation starter and it’s more effective for what I do and it’s something that people can use in their everyday life. My strategy is: I make myself the first customer because I can’t sell what I don’t use. I definitely love stickers, because I use them for most of my stuff, like my laptop and water bottle. They’re great and have been really useful!
What advice would you give to someone looking to start a creative career?
Definitely have a backup plan, financially speaking. Before I took a leap of faith, I was working in a full time job and I saved up enough to give it a go so I can have room to test out what works and what doesn’t. I think having another source of income too would help you to relieve your stress and you can still enjoy your creative process. If you want to do it full time, you just have to find a routine that works for you and also don’t be scared of doing the boring work to get the fun stuff.
How are you building a strong following online? How are customers finding you?
It started quite naturally when I go to market events, I have conversations with people, it just flows and then we exchange Instagram handles. Sometimes, people have an idea, then they contact me. I’m always really thankful for people who contact me and give me work opportunities.
VistaPrint believes in supporting businesses like yours. As a customer of VistaPrint, what are your favourite products and how do you use them?
VistaPrint is such a good platform for me to pick what I want for my upcoming market ideas. They have a really wide range of products such as postcards, journals, banners, everything. It was pretty exciting to see how my art’s been transformed into different media. My favourite would definitely be the stickers, but I also got the bumper stickers that I can’t wait to put on the car. Also, the journal is better than what I expected inside my mind. I can’t wait to actually use it because I started journaling recently!
Ready to start a thriving creative business like Candy? VistaPrint has the custom marketing tools, design services and merch to help bring your art to life.
Follow @vistaprintaustralia on Instagram for more branding inspiration and catch more Aussie #LocalLegends on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@vistaprintau.
