Ruiqi Dai

Specialized in Design.

Ruiqi Dai

About Ruiqi Dai

Ruiqi Dai, as the twenty-two best graduate designer-makers from across UK, graduated from University of the Arts London, after that, she furthered her study in Royal College of Art. Her works have been exhibited internationally and was described by the High End Magazine: “ have using completely original, handmade luxury objects to blend the lines between functional design and sculptural art.” Her latest series of works were collected by the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing.

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

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Interview with Ruiqi Dai

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 Three Dimensional Design in the University of the Arts, London. I was focusing on experimenting with different materials at this time. After graduation, I spend one year in Jindezhen exploring the technology of ceramics, and I am currently completing my Master’s degree in Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art. I have wanted to become a designer since I was a child, because I like trying different things and I am always inspired with new ideas, I guess it is the urge to make them come true that pushed me to become a designer.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
My design studio focuses on exploring and constructing aesthetic value for a high quality life. We work internationally providing design services which include product design, graphic design and branding. Our products range from lighting to furniture, from tableware to interior accessories, and are easily recognisable for their sculptural form and sensualness.
What is "design" for you?
To me, design is not purely about function, I intend to use design to connect physical material with the imaginary experience, in order to draw attention to the psychological needs that have been overlooked, and to bring a sensual touch to the world we live in.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I particularly like designing small items, like tableware and lights, I suppose that is related to my ceramics background. Also, I find working with easy to carry items more relaxing.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
My favourite design is Fountainia, it is a wine divider. When pouring wine from the top of it, the wine flows equally into two wine glasses. People engage in shared consumption, especially with food and drink, because they socialise and spend time with each other to feel a sense of relatedness to each other. However, sometimes communication and interaction during events can be strained or limited. By creating this object, I intended to explore the dynamic experience of drinking through interaction.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
When I was studying my BA, our team designed a medical tool for Kings College Hospital to help children with sickle cell disease better understand their condition and cooperate with their treatment. The project was quite successful, it is also the first time that a design of mine was used in society and I was glad to see that it was helping those patients.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
My favourite material changes from time to time, it used to be ceramics because I was fascinated by their properties and potential, any change of temperature, touch or position would change the result completely. My recent favourite material is glass, because I quite enjoy the optical effect caused by the transparency of glass and controlling the shape of it under a high temperature is an exciting challenge.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I pay a great deal of attention to the interaction between the product and users when I am designing. I want to introduce a new experience in use so it is important that the objects I create connect to people psychologically as well as physically.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
My emotion goes through different stages during the design process. At first, it is the excitement of the new ideas and new thoughts that are coming to me. Then it is the frustration of the problems which occur during the development process. After that, it is the satisfaction I achieve when I solve the problems and finally bring my idea to fruition.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
For a designer, it is always a pleasure to see a design come to reality. However, I think it is important to stay objective and analyse the product like an outsider, a person who is unfamiliar with the product. This process is important to me because it helps me find design flaws so it can be improved.
What makes a design successful?
A successful design does not adhere to its “historical situation” or “thought inertia”, it requires approaching a problem differently, and solving it intelligently and easily. It can propose things which were previously beyond the reach of people’s imaginations.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
It is important that the design makes sense, both in terms of function and form.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
For society, I think design should make life easier and propose to others your own understanding of aesthetics. As for the environment, it is important for designers to consider whether the production process or material itself can damage the environment, because when design put into production, the damage it causes can be multiplied thousands or even millions of times. As the creator of products, we must be responsible for the safety of others and the world we live in.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
No matter how technology progresses, the foundation of design will always be about people and what people need. With new progress, new problem occurs, it is important for designers to think ahead and to be caring towards others.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
My last exhibition was the Work In Progress show at the Royal College of Art, and my next exhibition will be at the 2018 Contemporary Young Artists Award in Newcastle.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I do not find inspiration intentionally, I think the accumulation of knowledge and experience is how ideas come. Therefore, I expose myself to new things constantly, a new book, a new type of food or a new game etc., leaves a thread in my mind, and several threads come together forming my new idea.
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 think my design is interactive and sensual. I like making still objects which have a dynamic state.
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 have lived in London for four years. The mixture between British identity and Chinese heritage has influenced my work unconsciously.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I think it is about finding the right solution and the right method. I always simplify things to avoid unnecessary processes.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
I think that depends on the designer, if I want to go deeper and keep improving, one design might take months and even years to finish. But if I want it to be quick and straightforward, then I can finish it in days or weeks. So different needs and purposes determine the time length of a project.

Extended Interview with Ruiqi Dai

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I studied Three Dimensional Design in the University of the Arts, London. I was focusing on experimenting with different materials at this time. After graduation, I spend one year in Jindezhen exploring the technology of ceramics, and I am currently completing my Master’s degree in Ceramics and Glass at the Royal College of Art.
How did you become a designer?
I have wanted to become a designer since I was a child, because I like trying different things and I am always inspired with new ideas, I guess it is the urge to make them come true that pushed me to become a designer.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I particularly like designing small items, like tableware and lights, I suppose that is related to my ceramics background. Also, I find working with easy to carry items more relaxing.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A successful design does not adhere to its “historical situation” or “thought inertia”, it requires approaching a problem differently, and solving it intelligently and easily. It can propose things which were previously beyond the reach of people’s imaginations.
What is your day to day look like?
I want to design something for myself and my loved ones, because all this time, I am too busy designing for briefs and clients, if there's time, I want to use design to make people who I love happy.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
Oki Sato’s design has influenced me greatly. The way he approaches a project and reimagines a question from the very beginning is genuinely intriguing. I think what he does is not designing one object, but designing a whole new concept and system.
Who is your favourite designer?
My favourite design is Fountainia, it is a wine divider. When pouring wine from the top of it, the wine flows equally into two wine glasses. People engage in shared consumption, especially with food and drink, because they socialise and spend time with each other to feel a sense of relatedness to each other. However, sometimes communication and interaction during events can be strained or limited. By creating this object, I intended to explore the dynamic experience of drinking through interaction. I think it is innovative and original, and a great learning process for me.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
To me, design is not purely about function, I intend to use design to connect physical material with the imaginary experience, in order to draw attention to the psychological needs that have been overlooked, and to bring a sensual touch to the world we live in.

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