Yuanyuan Wu

Specialized in Design.

Yuanyuan Wu

About Yuanyuan Wu

Yuanyuan Wu is a Chinese Norwegian illustrator and designer. She was born in China and studied graphic design and illustration in the China Academy of Art before she moved to Scandinavia. She has been living and working in Sweden and Norway for over 12 years. Yuan has won several international design awards and her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries, and published in magazines throughout China and Norway. Yuan is very interested in intercultural communication and creating illustrations and designs with cultural diversity and heritage.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with Yuanyuan Wu

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I studied graphic design in China Academy of Art and New Media Art at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. After that, I went to London and took Art Direction course at the University of the Arts London.I always want to be an artist or a designer, since I was a little girl. I like creating things.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My company GoChina AS has offices in Norway and China. We help Nordic brands expand their businesses in China market by providing them with branding design and digital marketing solutions.We also create cultural and creative products which merge traditional Chinese elements and motifs with Nordic style and spirits.
What is "design" for you?
I think "design" is not simply about designing things, I think it's an important comprehansive ability of observing things, experiencing things and processing things to create something out of it. A good design must be unique and it is the personal understanding and experience from a designer: The inspiration could come from a cup of coffee, a movie, a delicious meal, an adventure or a relationship that the designer has had.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Personal projects. Branding design from logo concept to final application. I like to work on projects that I can be more creative, not only the concept development but also work through the entire process to the final production.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
There are many. Product design like Apple products, and Elon Mask's Tesla, archtecture design such as Zaha Hadid's work, and Japanese packaging and graphic design, such as Kenya Hara's MUJI design.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Creativity, a good idea and also through out the production phase, I emphasise on the craft part, what paper to choose from, what printing technique and so on.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
If the users like it or will it be accepted by the targeting market.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Designers must have a social responsibility. We must think how to improve the society using the design power and we must thing how to make the world a better place by creating good designs to our life.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Future of design will be brighter and more dynamic I think. Design will meet the needs from many niche markets.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
It could come from a movie I watched, a meal I had, a book I read, a piece of music I listened, and a trip I experienced... from any aspects in my life
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
I would rather let the audience to describe my design style, what do you feel about it? :)
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in China currently, but I travel often. I have been living in Scandinavia for over 12 years.Yes, I do cultural heritage influence my design and creativity a lot. I like to mix and merge the different cultural elements together and express them out on my design work. I think difference cultural background and experience does expand my horizon, and made the design richer.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Research- concept development - designing - showing to colleagues and clients - revision and improvement - production
Can you describe a day in your life?
07:00 Morning exercise 08:00 breakfast 09:00 go to work 11:30 lunch break + music + talk 13:00 -17:30 working 18:00 back home making dinner 19:00 relax and take a walk after dinner 20:00 reading or surfing online23:00 go to bed
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Doing more personal projects, do things that you are passionate about.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Some times I forgot time, I can sit still for hours and hours, so being a designer is tough..
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
Some times alone by myself, some times with my colleagues as a team.
How can people contact you?
through email: yuan@gochina.no or WeChat: am_yuan or through Linkedin: Yuan WuI am on Facebook and Instagram as well

Designer of the Day Interview with Yuanyuan Wu

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
Currently I am living and working in China. Before I move back to China, I was living and working in Sweden and Norway for over 10 years. I worked for DDB Stockholm, Pearson International and Norwegian IT and education company Fronter AS. I also worked as guest teacher at Westerdals School of Communication, and China Academy of Art. I have been working with clients from many different industry, such as real estate companies, restaurants, banks, art galleries, transportation companies, IT companies, educational companies and so on.
How did you become a designer?
I studied graphic design in China Academy of Art and New Media Art at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. After that, I went to London and took Art Direction course at the University of the Arts London. I always want to be an artist or a designer, since I was a little girl. I like creating things.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
First of all, I will do research that is relevant to my design project, secondly, I would like to hand-drawn the concept and make many different versions of the concept, some times over hundreds of drafts, and then I will use design tools to realise my concept on computer.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Once the concept is realised, I really feel excited and can't wait to share it with my colleagues, friends and families. I am always concentrated on the things I am working on, with no interruption. I think the feeling/emotion of my designing process is like a curve- some times up(If I got a new idea or have realised my concept), some times down(If I stuck in the middle of the design or have no inspiration).
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I play musical instruments, I can cook and I also like making handcrafts. I think all these non-design skills shaped me as a designer and I always get inspiration from doing the these things. I think "design" is not simply about designing things, I think it's an important comprehansive ability of observing things, experiencing things and processing things to create something out of it. A good design must be unique and it is the personal understanding and experience from a designer: The inspiration could come from a cup of coffee, a movie, a delicious meal, an adventure or a relationship that the designer has had.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I want to design and open a creative space where combines café, gym, reading place and exhibiting place where can show and sell good design products. I've thought about the name of the place already :D
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Don't limit yourself and try new things that you are interested and experience more.
What is your day to day look like?
07:00 Morning exercise 08:00 breakfast 09:00 go to work 11:30 lunch break + music + talk 13:00 -17:30 working 18:00 back home making dinner 19:00 relax and take a walk after dinner 20:00 reading or surfing online 23:00 go to bed
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I get inspiration from every where in daily life. I read news, watch movies, read books, travel, talking to friends and always pay attention to the latest design trends. I don't apply the latest design trends intentionally, but I think you soak it into your design style gradually and subtly.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Let the users, the audiences and the market evaluate the good design. I like designs that could make people smile and have a witty mind. The common mistakes to avoid for making good design is probably lake of thinking and do not willing to experiment more.
What is your biggest design work?
I am working on the Chinese Zodiac series. It was my personal project initially and now it has been developed into a commercial project. I love the concept and idea behind the project, and because it is a project that I initiated and developed, so I have a lot of freedom to decide which direction I want to explore and develop.
Who is your favourite designer?
Japanese designer Kenya Hara, Paula Scher, Zaha Hadid, Steve Jobs and Elon Mask(WHO HAVE CHANGED THE WORLD!)
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I like Stockholm. Yes, I like listening to music while designing. I was born and educated in China until I was 18 and then I moved to Scandinavia and lived there for over 12 years. Now I moved back to China. I think the cultural difference and different lifestyle shapes me as who I am today. My personal experience has provide me with unique point of way and way of thinking.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I am easy to work with. I like team work and hire people who share the same values. I am running a design company together with my business partners. We create cultural and creative products and sell them to the public. I am the creative director and I am responsible for creative part, brand positioning and marketing for the products. The challenge now is to find the right market for our products, the targeting people and create the products that they will like.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I have done many pro bono design work for non-profit association and social entrepreneurs. I think designer should have social responsibilities, we should use design power to help social vulnerable groups, solve social problems and make the world a better place. I am quite active on design events and conferences. I also teach in the university in China. I always encourage my students to enter design competitions.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
It's great horror to win the A' Design Award and it is also a certificate to prove my designing skills. The main benefits of participating to design awards and competitions is that 1) Can evaluate your professional work and designing skills. 2) See other good designs and learn from it. 3) Get to know like minded people and communicate with them.

Extended Interview with Yuanyuan Wu

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I got bachelor degree of graphic design in China Academy of Art and Master degree of New Media Art at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. After that, I went to London and took Art Direction course at the University of the Arts London.
How did you become a designer?
Since I was a little girl I always like drawing and making art crafts. I wanted to be a designer or an artist since I was very little.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I choose to be a designer, if it's forced to be, I don't think I can carry on that much longer.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I work with graphic design, packaging design, digital interface design, and cultural and creative products design etc. I wish to design more of cultural and creative products design.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
A legend takes time :) Honestly, I don't think I am a design legend yet, I think a design legend is the person like Steve Jobs, Zaha Hadid and the art director of MUJI brand Kenya Hara.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
A good design can elevate people's life. The development of human society relies on good designs.
What is your day to day look like?
I would design for things that could make our society better, like products for caring children, designs for public warfare.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I want to design and open a creative space where combines café, gym, reading place and exhibiting place where can show and sell good design products. I've thought about the name of the place already :D
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Relax and have fun! You become more creative when you are relaxed and feel happy.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Japanese designer Kenya Hara, Paula Scher, Zaha Hadid, Steve Jobs and Elon Mask.
What is your biggest design work?
Except the design projects from the above mentioned designers, I also like Scandinavian design team such as Snøhetta's work. Their work is ranging from architecture design to branding design. I like them become their design is very inspirational, chic, functional and aesthetic.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I think "design" is not simply about designing things, I think it's an important comprehansive ability of observing things, experiencing things and processing things to create something out of it. A good design must be unique and it is the personal understanding and experience from a designer: The inspiration could come from a cup of coffee, a movie, a delicious meal, an adventure or a relationship that the designer has had.

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