Featured Artist: Jessie Ning of Opus Haus
Jessie is a designer, strategist, and entrepreneur whose work blends a lifelong devotion to classical music with a sharp, multidisciplinary design practice. As a classically trained pianist holding a Licentiate diploma from ABRSM, Jessie founded Opus Haus to explore the meeting point between music and design. Through the brand, she creates objects and visual narratives that echo musical qualities such as rhythm, balance, tone, and emotional resonance. Every piece in Opus Haus is curated and designed under her eye, reflecting her belief that good design can deepen our emotional connection to music. Beyond Opus Haus, Jessie has spent the past decade building a design career that includes 100+ global clients and a prior role as Creative Director at TikTok.
Check out her Featured Artist Page!
Can you share the story behind the creation of Opus Haus?
Opus Haus began out of quiet frustration. Classical music is often reduced to clichéd symbols and poorly made objects, as if the art form itself were outdated. I never believed that. Classical music isn't old-fashioned — it's enduring. I wanted to create objects that reflect that permanence, with the same care and restraint found in the music itself.
How did your musical background influence your journey? I started playing piano at five and stayed close to classical music ever since. What drew me in was its depth, the intricate complexity, and the small details that reveal themselves over time. As I later trained in visual design, I felt a natural pull to translate that beauty into form, to make music something you could see and hold.
Were there any particular experiences that inspired you to build Opus Haus?
In the beginning, it was purely personal, and in many ways, it still is. Creating has always been instinctive for me. Opus Haus grew from that need to express, without an agenda, simply following what felt meaningful and beautiful.
How did your role at TikTok help you launch your business?
Opus Haus existed before my time at TikTok. Working there was formative in a different way: it clarified what I'm drawn to. While I enjoyed leading bold, high-energy projects, I realized my natural inclination is toward quieter, more timeless work. Like a pianist fluent in Prokofiev who knows, deep down, they are a Bach person.
How do you balance multiple creative outlets?
I don't think balance ever truly exists. When I'm deep in design, I feel I should be practicing more. When I spend long hours at the piano, I feel removed from visual work. At the same time, I've experienced beautiful moments when a musical idea surfaces while I'm creating a visual piece, and visual sparks appear while moving through certain passages of music. I've learned to accept both the tension and the cross-pollination as part of a creative life.
Has your creative style evolved over time?
Yes and no. My aesthetic has always leaned toward restraint and timelessness, and that foundation hasn't changed. What has evolved is the clarity of the work. Creativity is shaped through repetition and effort, and I continue to push myself to make each piece more precise, distilled, and quietly poetic.
Can you highlight a favorite design/project of yours?
That is a difficult question. Every piece I create carries time, care, and attention, so it feels natural to value them equally. I also try not to linger too long on past work, so there is room for new ideas to emerge. One project I especially enjoyed was collaborating with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on a lamp inspired by their concert hall. Creating for clients within the music world has always felt deeply fulfilling.
Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self?
I would encourage myself to put work into the world sooner. Many creatives are held back by perfectionism and the fear of criticism. This is something I am still learning to navigate, but sharing work remains an essential part of growth.
Do you have any upcoming projects or goals you are excited about and want to share?
This year, I hope to create more pieces and open more conversations within the music community. My goal is to reach the community more directly, and to continue making objects that feel meaningful and considered.
What is your favorite song/composer/play/show?
