Shengtao Ma

Good in Futuristic Design.

Shengtao Ma

About Shengtao Ma

Ma Shengtao is a young product designer studying at Qingdao University of technology in China. He has done research in product design and computer illustration, and has done many designs for schools, local shopping centers and associations. His product design projects and illustrations have also won national competition awards in relevant aspects for many times, and he hopes to continue his efforts and development on the road of product design in the future.

  • Winner of 4 A' Design Awards.
  • Good in Futuristic Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Futuristic
  • Audio Products
Pioneer Submarine

Pioneer Submarine

Futuristic Design

Sirocco Speaker

Sirocco Speaker

Audio Products Design

Explorer Scientific Research Vehicle

Explorer Scientific Research Vehicle

Futuristic Design

W-3E Mask Expressive Emotion

W-3E Mask Expressive Emotion

Futuristic Design


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Interview with Shengtao Ma

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?
When I was a child, I loved drawing on paper and expressing my inner thoughts on paper. I was fascinated by the sense of freedom. At that time, I didn’t know the concept of design, and I just created whatever I wanted. Gradually, I moved from paper creation to three-dimensional creation on the computer, expressing the thoughts in my heart and mind in a three-dimensional way. It is this feeling of freedom that allows me to constantly think and create that makes me gradually fall in love with it. design.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Different design studios are committed to not sticking to tradition in every project, boldly exploring innovative design ideas, striving to break through conventions and bring unique design solutions to customers. At the same time, we have strict quality control. From the first draft of the design to the final product, every link has been repeatedly polished and carefully crafted to ensure that what is delivered to customers is high-quality work that can withstand the test of time. Different design studio businesses include the fields of product design and graphic design, injecting a unique soul into each project, transforming customer needs into stunning visual and functional design works, and never fearing challenges from all aspects.
What is "design" for you?
When I was in college, I thought design was about innovating functions or appearances based on original products. But after I entered this industry for many years, my ideas slowly began to change. Good design cannot be blindly rigid. For original products, innovation in thinking is more important. Gorgeous functions and appearances sometimes do not satisfy users. It is often the small details that are difficult to find that can move the user's heart more. It is only by digging out these touching details that It's a design I want to pursue.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
There is no specific style limit for the type of work I like. Rather than a specific style, I prefer to accept ever-changing forms.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
Among many designs, I prefer unconscious design. Works that are not designed for the sake of design are even more rare and valuable.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
When I founded my own design company, it was when the global epidemic broke out. A famous product I designed for patients was named "W-3E Mask Expressive Emotion". This is the first design work I completed independently, and I was fortunate to win the futuristic award of the Italian A Design Award.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I like wooden materials, which give people a return to nature feeling. I have no particular preferences regarding platforms and technologies.
When do you feel the most creative?
I think quiet nights are the best for brainstorming, so that your wild ideas won’t be disrupted by outside sounds or events. At the same time, maintaining a high level of excitement also helps me create and design.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I think function is as important as form. I will make the best form while meeting the functional requirements. At the same time, I will make the function more perfect and humane without sacrificing form.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I am always in a state of excitement when designing, and the joy of expressing my inner thoughts fascinates me.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
I will unabashedly show my joy and excitement, but when I am excited, I will also re-examine my design, hoping to further improve and improve it.
What makes a design successful?
I believe that daring to think and imagine is the key to successful design. At the same time, daily accumulation of knowledge and understanding of design are also particularly important.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I will judge the basic quality of a design from the perspective of combining function and form. Designs that are eye-catching and resonate with people are the best.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
I think it is necessary to have a deep understanding of users' needs, expectations and behavioral habits. In addition, it is also necessary to promote exchanges between different cultures, be able to guide social values, and enhance social aesthetics by creating beautiful works.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Design will be cross-integrated with more disciplines, such as biology, medicine, psychology, sociology, etc. The boundaries between design and other fields will be further blurred, and cross-border cooperation will become the norm. Designers need to have interdisciplinary knowledge and abilities and be able to work with professionals in different fields to create innovative products and services that incorporate multiple elements and functions.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
The last exhibition of my works was in Yantai Design Town, Shandong, China. I have no clear plans for the next exhibition.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
My design inspiration comes from life and every moment that makes me feel special. I think that tiring work cannot inspire my creative inspiration. Appropriate relaxation of my brain is a good way to burst out inspiration.
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 style is not a fixed style. At different stages or for different situations, I will find a suitable design language to convey my design ideas.
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 now live in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. The life here is relatively comfortable and the people I come into contact with are more easy-going. This has laid a certain foundation for me to devote myself to design.
How do you work with companies?
I am not responsible for this aspect, and negotiations with other companies are handled by others in the studio.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
I think designers who have sharp minds, dare to imagine, and treat every project with care are what most companies need.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
I think finding problems is the most difficult part of the design process. After I have specific ideas, I will start with market research, then appearance sketches, and finally three-dimensional modeling and rendering.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Barcelona Chair,Egg Chair,Tulip Side Chair,Eames Lounge Chair,PH-lampe
Can you describe a day in your life?
I like to stay up late. Night time can stimulate my creative desire.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Before rushing to design, I think you should read more and think more, and be brave enough to overturn your own ideas. Only continuous improvement can produce good works.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
My thinking is not limited by age. I like bold creation and imagination. Compared with the current top designers in the world, my aesthetic needs to continue to improve, and my design thinking also needs further training.
What skills are most important for a designer?
There is a pair of glasses that discover beauty, a brain that can be active at any time, and a heart that is always enthusiastic.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
I will try my best to divert time from doing other things and put all my energy into design.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
There is no fixed time, sometimes a month, sometimes half a year.
Who are some of your clients?
It is more oriented to young people, including Chinese students taking postgraduate entrance examinations and Chinese postgraduate students.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
In product design and graphic design, I can create freely and express my inner thoughts to my heart's content.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I will continue to work on design and hope to go higher and further on the road of design. My next step will be to research lighting products, which is a new challenge for me. I will take this opportunity to improve my aesthetic and design abilities.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
My designs are all my own creations, and the division of labor in the studio is clear. I am responsible for the design, and other business is left to my partners.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
It is currently in the learning and improvement stage, and no new designs have been carried out.
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
The issues covered above are very comprehensive and there are no other issues I would like to discuss.

Designer of the Day Interview with Shengtao Ma

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I am a science student. During my university years, I came into contact with painting and art and began to like the feeling of creation. Later, by chance, I chose product design as my major, received a certain theoretical foundation of product design, and received some training in modeling and rendering software, which gave me a three-dimensional expression of my design, which laid a solid foundation for my future design.
How did you become a designer?
When I was a kid, I was just a curious kid who was obsessed with taking apart toys and trying to put them back together. I enjoyed playing with objects and exploring their internal structures, and I never associated this with any high-end design profession. In class, I loved art class the most. I liked to doodle on paper with colored pens, depicting the wild imagination in my mind, whether it was a flying house or a car with wings, but I just thought drawing was fun and didn't rise to the level of career planning. It was later when I entered university and systematically came into contact with design courses, and learned about the huge knowledge system behind design, unlimited creative potential, and the power to change lives, that I gradually became determined to make a name for myself on this path. So, when I was a kid, I just had a love for creation and hands-on work, and I didn't foresee the design life I have today.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I think my design style is not a fixed one. At different stages or in different situations, I will find a suitable design language to convey my design ideas.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
When a new idea comes to mind, it is like suddenly seeing a beam of light in the dark. For example, when designing a lamp, it suddenly occurs to you that you can incorporate natural elements such as the veins of leaves into the shape of the lamp. This moment will bring you a strong sense of excitement. This excitement is like an explorer discovering a new treasure, and you can't wait to implement this idea on the design drawing to see what it will look like in the end.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
First of all, I want to thank my mother, whose persistence made me continue on the path of design. Secondly, I want to thank my school teachers, who taught me a wealth of professional knowledge and design thinking. My current achievements are inseparable from their support and help.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
When I was a child, I never thought that I would become a great designer. When I was a child, I was just a curious baby who was obsessed with taking apart toys and trying to put them back together. I just enjoyed the fun of playing with objects and exploring their internal structures. I didn't associate this with any high-end design profession at all. In class, I loved art class the most. I liked to doodle on paper with colored pens and depict the wild imagination in my mind, whether it was a flying house or a car with wings, but I just thought that drawing was fun and didn't rise to the level of career planning. It was later when I entered university and systematically came into contact with design courses. I learned about the huge knowledge system behind design, unlimited creative potential, and the power to change lives. I gradually became determined to make a name for myself on this path. My ultimate goal is to promote exchanges between different cultures, guide social values, and improve social aesthetics by creating beautiful works. Of course, these are just my imaginations, but I will continue to work hard towards my dreams.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Before young designers rush to design, I think they should read more and think more, and have the courage to overturn their own ideas. Only by continuous improvement can they polish out good works.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Have a pair of glasses that can discover beauty, a brain that can be active at any time, and a heart that is always passionate.
What is your day to day look like?
I like to stay up late, because the night time can stimulate my desire to create.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
Design fairs are a great place to learn about industry trends. Social media platforms play an important role in spreading design trends. Joining a professional design association or organization network can help you build close connections with your peers. These organizations hold events, publish industry reports, and members can share experiences and insights.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Good design should conform to basic aesthetic principles, such as balance, proportion, symmetry, rhythm, etc. In addition to basic aesthetic principles, good design can also trigger emotional resonance. A well-designed product can make people feel warm, comfortable, relaxed or energetic.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
The primary purpose of design is to meet the needs of users. It is important to judge whether the design is balanced and coordinated from a visual perspective. Make sure that the design is technically feasible and meets relevant technical standards and specifications. To judge whether the design is reasonable from a production perspective, production costs and production efficiency should be considered. The design should reduce production costs and improve production efficiency as much as possible while ensuring quality.
What is your biggest design work?
The Explorer research vehicle that I designed is the project that I am most satisfied with, as it won the Italian A Design Award and many well-known national awards.
Who is your favourite designer?
Philippe Starck.The alien juicer he designed has a unique appearance that makes it not only a practical kitchen appliance, but also an artistic decoration.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
I currently live in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China. Life here is relatively comfortable and the people I meet are relatively easy-going, which has laid a certain foundation for me to devote myself to design.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
All my designs are created personally. The division of labor in the studio is clear. I am responsible for the design, and the other business is left to my partners.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I have designed posters for charity organizations free of charge many times, speaking out on important issues such as environmental protection and anti-discrimination. On the theme of environmental protection, I use very impactful images, such as endangered animals surrounded by garbage, with eye-catching appeal texts to arouse the public's attention to ecological deterioration; when designing for anti-discrimination activities, I harmoniously integrate the images of people of different skin colors, genders, and disabled groups into one picture to spread the concepts of equality and inclusion, and help these concepts spread more widely on social media and offline events.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
I designed a product during my college years, and its name is "W-3E Mask Expressive Emotion". This is my first independently completed design work, and I was fortunate to win the Futuristic Award of the Italian A Design Award. This great achievement for my first independently completed work gave me great confidence and encouraged me to continue to work hard to create better works. It also made my name and works spread quickly on major platforms and web pages, which provided great help for my future design journey.

Extended Interview with Shengtao Ma

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I am a science student. I came into contact with painting and art during college and began to like the feeling of creation. Later, I chose the product design major by chance. I received a certain theoretical foundation of product design and conducted some training on modeling and rendering software, which gave me a three-dimensional expression for my designs, which laid a solid foundation for my future designs. a solid foundation.
How did you become a designer?
When I was a child, I loved drawing on paper and expressing my inner thoughts on paper. I was fascinated by the sense of freedom. At that time, I didn’t know the concept of design, and I just created whatever I wanted. Gradually, I moved from paper creation to three-dimensional creation on the computer, expressing the thoughts in my heart and mind in a three-dimensional way. It is this feeling of freedom that allows me to constantly think and create that makes me gradually fall in love with it. design.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I chose to become a designer voluntarily. I have absolute passion and love for design. This emotion will encourage me to continue on the road of design.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
My current design field is biased towards the design of large vehicles and equipment. I have recently begun to try the design of lamps and audio products, hoping to make breakthroughs in more design fields.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Before young designers rush to design, I think they should read more and think more, and be brave enough to overturn their own ideas. Only continuous improvement can produce good works.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Excellent designers can improve and innovate based on existing design styles, technologies and concepts. They are good at learning and borrowing, combining popular design elements with customers' personalized needs. For example, in interior design, excellent designers will rationally use the color matching of the space according to the current popular color trends, and at the same time take into account the customer's preferences, such as adding some distinctive decorative details to give the space a certain degree of novelty. . Great designers have groundbreaking and innovative thinking and can subvert traditional design concepts. For example, the "less is more" design concept proposed by Mies van der Rohe completely changed people's views on decoration in architecture and home design at that time. This concept led the trend of modernist design, making designers begin to re-examine the nature and function of design.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Good design should comply with basic aesthetic principles, such as balance, proportion, symmetry, rhythm, etc. Beyond basic aesthetic principles, good design can evoke emotional resonance. A well-designed product can make people feel warm, comfortable, relaxed or energized.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Good design can bring visual enjoyment to people and enhance the beauty of the living environment. Whether it is exquisite home decoration, fashionable clothing or artistic electronic products, they can make people feel the presence of beauty during use. In the market, good design can make a product stand out. For companies, a product with a unique design can attract more consumers' attention, thereby increasing product sales.
What is your day to day look like?
I will design some conceptual products, which is my exploration and imagination of people's lifestyle in the future. Among the many conceptual designs, I will choose the works that are closest to current hot topics as the focus of further design.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
I am currently trying to design lamps. I hope I can design unique works that touch people's hearts and make everyone's eyes light up when they see my creativity.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I think function is as important as form. I will make the best form while meeting the functional requirements. At the same time, I will make the function more perfect and humane without sacrificing form.
What is your biggest design work?
The unique shape of the alien juicer he designed makes it not only a practical kitchen appliance, but also an artistic decoration.
Who is your favourite designer?
A product I designed while I was in college, its name is "W-3E Mask Expressive Emotion". This is the first design work I completed independently, and I was fortunate to win the futuristic award of the Italian A Design Award. Having this great achievement for my first independent work gave me great confidence and encouraged me to keep working hard to create better work.
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Improve artistic accomplishment and learn traditional art forms such as painting and sculpture. Drawing skills can help designers better express their creativity, such as improving their ability to grasp the shape of objects, light and shadow through sketch training. Understanding sculpture allows designers to understand the shaping of three-dimensional space. Sculptures like Michelangelo's show the dynamics and power of the human body in space, which inspires space design, product design and other fields. Learn psychology, sociology, cultural studies and other humanities and social science knowledge. Psychological knowledge helps to understand users' cognitive and behavioral patterns, and pays attention to the development of natural sciences, such as materials science, physics, etc. Advances in materials science provide designers with more material choices, and understanding the properties of new materials can leverage the materials' advantages in product design.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
When I was in college, I thought design was about innovating functions or appearances based on original products. But after I entered this industry for many years, my ideas slowly began to change. Good design cannot be blindly rigid. For original products, innovation in thinking is more important. Gorgeous functions and appearances sometimes do not satisfy users. It is often the small details that are difficult to find that can move the user's heart more. It is only by digging out these touching details that It's a design I want to pursue.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
First of all, I would like to thank my mother for her persistence in allowing me to continue on the road of design. Secondly, I would like to thank my school teachers, who taught me a wealth of professional knowledge and design thinking. My current achievements are inseparable from their support and help.

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