An online platform is giving budding talent and seasoned professionals a new way to interact with industry, Li Yingxue reports.

Peng Xiangbin started his first job as a graphic designer in Beijing at the end of July, after moving to the capital a few days earlier. What helped Peng, a fresh graduate from Heilongjiang University, land the job after a week of job-hunting were two logo design projects that impressed the interviewers.

The projects, one for a financial institution and one for a social app, are being used by the companies.

"As a college student, it's difficult to have a design portfolio," says Peng. "I've done internships during summer vacations, but only had the chance to do some basic work."

Peng bagged the two design projects by winning open competitions on Whale Design, an online platform that brings together companies and designers.