Zhang Zhaonian (1946) hails from Tianjin. After his graduation from the Tianjin Industrial Arts Institute in 1968, he started work in the Design Institute of his alma mater. He took up advanced studies at the Tianjin Industrial Arts College from 1986-1988. He now works at the Tianjin Art and Design Institute.
Zhang is renowned for his propaganda art designs. He exhibited his work numerous times and is the recipient of a number of prizes.