Welcome to another feature in our Behind the Shop series, where we celebrate the creatives shaping the future of design. Today, we’re excited to spotlight Nico Ng, a designer whose journey from engineering to lettering has led to the creation of some of Creative Market’s most beloved creative tools. Driven by a passion for both structure and artistic freedom, Nico’s work empowers others to explore their creativity through thoughtful products like the Composition Ruler and the new Procreate Journaling Creator Pack. With inspiration rooted in global travels, architecture, and a deep love for the craft, Nico’s story is a reminder that embracing your curiosity can lead to a fulfilling, unexpected creative career.
What inspired you to pursue graphic design in the first place? What were you working on before?
After graduating with an engineering degree, I realized that path wasn’t for me. I wanted to do something more creative—something that allowed me to express my creativity. So I made the decision to shift gears and pursue design instead. I taught myself graphic design and began working with small businesses, helping them with branding and visuals. That was the starting point of my creative journey.
Eventually, I started doodling and sketching more and decided to launch my own wallet brand featuring my artworks. That grew into designing stationery products, and along the way, I discovered calligraphy and hand lettering—which completely opened up a new world for me. Today, I create learning content and tools that make it easier for others to explore their creativity and bring their own beautiful design ideas to life—whether it’s through lettering, calligraphy, or other creative projects.
When creating a new font or graphic pack, where does your creative process start? What inspires you?
I’m a very visual person, and I love traveling—that’s where I get most of my inspiration. Seeing something new, experiencing different cultures, meeting people, and exploring their art and craft really sparks my creativity.
From all those experiences, I usually start by deciding on the aesthetic or final outcome I want to achieve. I’ll create one artwork first, something influenced by that specific inspiration or detail that caught my eye. It’s my way of interpreting what I saw or felt.
Once I have that artwork, I use my engineering background to reverse-engineer it. I break it down and figure out what tools or elements I need to recreate it—whether it’s brushes, stamps, textures, or patterns. Then, I design all those parts and even add extras so that anyone using the brush pack can explore their own style and go beyond just replicating my artwork.
My goal with every brush or graphic pack is to inspire others to create more, explore new ideas, and have fun doing it.
How would you define your signature design style?
Honestly, it’s hard for me to describe my own style, especially since I’m someone who’s much more visual than verbal. It’s easier for me to show something than to explain it in words, but I’ll try my best!
I think my design style—whether it’s through my brush packs, lettering tools, merch, or other creative work—strikes a balance between function and design. There’s always a sense of structure in what I make. It’s not totally abstract or freeform without rules. You’ll usually see some kind of system or order in my designs.
At the same time, I like to play with those rules. I want my work to look right and feel intentional, but also to show personality and creativity. So it’s structured, but not rigid or restrictive. It’s kind of like architecture: you have the framework that holds everything together, but you can still play with curves, textures, and unexpected details that make it unique and expressive.
That’s how I’d describe my style—structured, but with creative freedom.
Has anyone ever doubted your talent? How did you resolve that challenge?
I can’t think of a moment where someone directly told me, “You’re not good.” People don’t usually say things like that to your face, especially clients. But of course, there have been a few hate comments online, like saying my work is “stupid” or “ugly.”
Whenever I get negative feedback—whether it’s a harsh comment or just general doubt—I try not to take it personally. I always ask myself: Is there truth in this? If it’s just hate with no real substance, I let it go. But if there’s a valid point, even if it stings a bit, I take it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
I’m someone who really values constructive feedback. I always want to improve. I believe that no matter how much we know or how good we are, there’s always room to grow. Having that mindset helps me stay open to criticism and use it to keep evolving, so my work stays relevant and meaningful.
Out of all the products you’ve designed, which one is your favorite and why?
I’ve designed so many different products—both analog and digital—but my all-time favorite has to be my very first lettering tool: the Composition Ruler.
It’s a physical plastic template with different shapes that helps you sketch layout guides easily, especially when you’re working on lettering compositions. Composition can be tricky, whether you’re designing on paper or digitally. This tool gives you a structured starting point so your layout feels balanced and strong.
I think I love this product so much because it’s not only functional, but it’s also something you can physically hold and use. There’s something really special about seeing people from around the world use it, even when they have to pay high shipping fees and wait weeks to receive it.
Also, while digital products are easier to copy, seeing bootleg versions of my physical tool—even if I don’t love that it’s being copied—tells me that it’s something people find valuable and genuinely useful. It shows that the tool works. That’s actually one of the reasons I decided to create a digital version too—so more people could access it, no matter where they are.
What was the inspiration behind your latest brush pack in collaboration with Creative Market? Which projects do you see it being a better fit for?
The inspiration behind the Procreate Journaling Creator Pack came from a trip to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I got to meet people from the local journaling community, and even though I wasn’t a journaler myself, they welcomed me to one of their monthly meetups. Seeing all their different spreads and creative styles was mind-blowing! I was like, “Wow, my own notebook looks like a chaotic mess compared to this.”
What struck me most was how journaling brought together such a diverse group—different ages, backgrounds, religions—and created a safe, joyful space for sharing and connecting. I left that meetup super inspired.
So I wanted to make a brush pack for beginners—something that makes journaling more accessible without the need to buy tons of physical supplies. Everything you need is already in the pack: stamps, washi tapes, textures, decorative elements—all in one place.
It’s not just for journaling either. You can use it for any design project that has a crafty, scrapbook-like aesthetic—posters, merchandise, illustrations, calligraphy, even content for social media. It’s great for anyone who wants that handmade, creative touch in their digital work.
Links to Learn More and Follow Along
Here’s where you can explore my work and follow along:
- Instagram: @nicong.co – I regularly share behind-the-scenes looks at my process, new products, and projects.
- Website: nico ng.co – My full collection of lettering tools, digital brush packs, learning manuals, and courses. Plus, free resources like a full lettering workshop and downloadable guides.
- YouTube: Nico Ng – Tutorials, tips, and creative process videos.
- Patreon (coming soon!): I’ll be launching a Patreon to teach lettering basics, layout tips, and foundational techniques—perfect for beginners and growing creatives.
When I started lettering, it was just a hobby—something I did purely for fun. I never imagined it would open doors for me to teach around the world, design products that are now sold internationally, or create designs that live beyond my sketchbook.
So if you love your craft, keep at it. Keep showing up, creating, and improving. Share your work with the world, and stay open—you never know what opportunities might come your way.
Download these worksheets and start practicing with simple instructions and tracing exercises.
Download now!
Brand strategist. Creating design tools to empower creative entrepreneurs. Author of the Lean Branding book. MA in Design Management from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD).
View More Posts
