Interviews med Wei Hu

I graduated with a major in Decoration Design from the China Academy of Art and have worked in the design field for 30 years. I previously worked for the listed company Guangtian Group and held the position of Dean of the Design Institute. Many of my clients trust and appreciate me deeply, including the owner of a chain enterprise who entrusted me with a series of design projects—both new developments and renovations of existing ones. The constant need for innovation and iteration in such projects has driven me to keep creating.

When I first graduated, I wanted to pursue a career in painting. But later, I discovered that design could turn imagination into reality—I loved that feeling, so I chose to become a designer. Now, I realize it was the right decision. The desire to create drives my designs, and I hope my spaces can move people emotionally, just like a great painting or a beautiful song. I want to use design to improve others' lives, as well as my own family's life. Because I’m fascinated by transformation, working in design is the perfect fit for me.

When designing, I carefully listen to the client's needs, thoroughly analyze the project context, and explore multiple viable solutions to achieve a balance between functionality and aesthetics. Functionality is my top priority—I focus on rational space planning and smooth circulation to ensure the design meets practical requirements. For user experience, I consider how to enhance comfort and well-being through spatial layout, style positioning, and thoughtful lighting design. To reflect culture and individuality, I integrate the client's background and personal preferences into the design, creating a distinctive spatial identity. During the initial phase, I use hand sketches to quickly capture fleeting inspiration, while later stages rely on computer-aided design for clearer client communication and precise execution.

The most exhilarating part of design lies in achieving the perfect fusion of functionality and aesthetics. Witnessing those fresh, fervent ideas gradually take shape through interdisciplinary collaboration is utterly captivating. Often, the realized outcome surpasses the initial renderings—because drawings are confined to two dimensions, while space exists in multidimensional reality. There’s an incomparable sense of fulfillment when both the creator and the public resonate with the finished work. It’s these successive triumphs that fuel my relentless pursuit of the next creative endeavor.

Among painters, I have always admired Wu Guanzhong’s works particularly—his mastery of dynamic, expressive lines is extraordinary. Similarly, in Stephen Chow’s films, every supporting character shines with indispensable brilliance. Design, to me, synthesizes techniques from painting, cinema, and music: interiors must balance solid and void, supporting and leading elements, moments of calm and climax. These principles are vital in creating spaces that resonate emotionally.

I.M. Pei has influenced my design practice most profoundly—his Shanghai Art Museum first awakened me to the magic of spatial composition. My design journey has been blessed by China’s remarkable era of development, offering endless opportunities to bring creative visions to life…

Upon graduation, I chose to move to Shenzhen—the vanguard of China’s reform and opening-up, where global trends arrived first. There, I gained direct exposure to international design developments and joined multinational firms, rapidly mastering industry standards while broadening my horizons. My aspiration has always been to become a trusted designer with greater creative autonomy and the freedom to choose meaningful projects.

As a designer, I want to be remembered for distinctive work that leaves a lasting impression. My current focus is pioneering the next evolution of medical aesthetic spaces. With ongoing chain clinic design projects, I’m committed to continuous innovation—helping more people rediscover confidence through transformative environments.

For young designers, passion comes first – only by truly loving design can you devote yourself fully to every project, creating works that satisfy both yourself and your clients, building your portfolio step by step. You need to absorb information from multiple dimensions, endure solitude, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process.

My hard-earned lesson: taking a project from concept to completion is a complex journey – it involves budgeting, coordinating with various specialists, and even catering to the client's personal tastes. Design is like dancing in shackle – the more successful projects you deliver, the fewer restrictions you'll face, and the more trust you'll earn from clients.

Stay focused. Treat every project seriously. Keep accumulating successful experiences. Master the details. Create spaces that resonate emotionally with people.

Travel often. Immerse yourself in different cultures, landscapes, and environments. Draw inspiration from diverse lifestyles. Design isn’t about working behind closed doors – engage with peers, visit exhibitions, showcase your work, and listen to feedback. Great design grows through exchange and exposure.

As a designer, it's essential to love design, stay attuned to trends, and unleash your imagination. Embrace divergent thinking to develop unique creative concepts, while remaining open to professional advice on functionality to avoid common pitfalls and biases.

The threshold of design is paradoxically both high and low - everyone possesses distinctive ideas and creativity. What matters most is ensuring aesthetics never become disconnected from functionality.

7:00 AM | News immersion – fueling my mind with global perspectives

8:00 AM | Client dialogues & construction oversight – turning blueprints into reality

1:00 PM | Power nap – essential creative rebooting

3:00 PM | Afternoon tea + sketching frenzy – when caffeine meets creativity

7:00 PM | Gym session – physical energy for mental agility

10:00 PM | Midnight introspection – evaluating today's work, envisioning tomorrow's breakthroughs

My morning rocket fuel? A potent espresso shot. When extra inspiration's needed, a cigar's swirling smoke becomes my thought catalyst. I constantly seek beyond my creative comfort zone – studying paintings, sculptures, films that challenge my imagination. During mundane tasks, you'll find me sparking discussions on design forums.

Nothing compares to the joy of seeing a design come to life – like witnessing your child's first steps. And when users connect with my creations? That's pure designer's euphoria.

I consciously embrace contemporary trends because exceptional design harnesses - rather than resists - the momentum of the zeitgeist to create solutions aligned with modern lifestyles. My work seeks to crystallize seasonal aesthetics while integrating cutting-edge materials and technological innovations.

Inspiration strikes unpredictably - perhaps through wandering foreign streets, being moved by an avant-garde painting, or catching a melody that rearranges my creative neurons. The key lies in transmuting these sparks into designs that feel simultaneously of-the-moment and timeless.

To me, truly great design creates spaces that move people - capable of evoking deep emotions just like a masterpiece painting or soul-stirring melody. It possesses a healing quality that nurtures the human spirit.

Every technical element - lighting, materials, scent, temperature - must serve one ultimate purpose: forging an emotional connection between people and space. When a design resonates emotionally, it transcends mere functionality to become art.

My Design Criteria:

1. Holistic Harmony - Never allow form and function to diverge

2. Problem-Solving First - The design must fundamentally address its intended purpose

3. Emotional Resonance - Success is measured by the depth of audience connection

This philosophy guides my creative process: technology and aesthetics are merely tools to create spaces that touch the human heart.

My "yes" to a final version simply means meeting commercial deadlines - we deliver our best within constrained timelines. Yet the creative process never truly concludes; even after project completion, my mind continues refining possibilities to elevate the initial design.

The real measure of success? When the finished space establishes that profound, wordless dialogue with its users - that moment of authentic emotional resonance is when I know the design has triumphed.

My most significant design project to date is a cosmetic surgery hospital renovation located by West Lake in Hangzhou, which took approximately two years to complete. This project was commissioned by a chain enterprise owner who entrusted me with a series of design projects, of which this was one.

Before commencing the design, I thoroughly examined the initial requirements, the site conditions, and the spatial characteristics of the project. The design process involved budgeting, coordinating with various specialists, and continuous refinements to achieve the optimal solution. Upon completion, both the client and end-users expressed immense satisfaction, making this a truly successful project in my view.

What makes this project particularly special is its ability to evoke an emotional connection with the space—a quality I believe defines exceptional design.

My favorite architect is I.M. Pei, who redefined the relationship between art and humanity through his mastery of geometric precision and luminous architecture, innovating spatial experiences with materiality and light. Among his works, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art stands out as my personal favorite - where Pei's pioneering use of triangular geometry created an architectural paradigm that influenced generations of subsequent designs.

If granted the opportunity to converse with any departed design visionary, I would choose Pei without hesitation. I'd ask how he convinced clients to execute his then-radical visions - those initially unpopular yet ultimately groundbreaking schemes that changed how we perceive space.

I love Shenzhen - this is where I've chosen to live and create. To me, music is an inseparable part of the creative process; I always listen to music while designing, believing that powerful melodies can touch people's souls just like profound spatial experiences do.

Great design creates emotionally moving spaces that resonate like masterful paintings or soul-stirring music - it heals, inspires, and elevates. In residential spaces, exceptional design manifests as quality of life; in commercial environments, it becomes invisible productivity. This is why I believe good design isn't just desirable, but essential for societal progress.

Working with me isn't easy—I'm intensely dedicated and demand excellence. Currently working independently, I acknowledge collaboration with me can be equally challenging. I deliberately choose partners who share my philosophy of total commitment to their craft.

The central challenge of my profession lies in consistently securing quality projects. What defines an exceptional designer, in my view, is:

• The discipline to continuously analyze both successes and failures from past projects

• Meticulous attention to every undertaking down to the smallest detail

• Proactive communication with clients at every stage

• The relentless pursuit of achieving optimal final execution

This uncompromising approach ensures each delivered work meets our exacting standards of satisfactory realization.

I believe my way of giving back to the community is through creating energy-efficient, eco-conscious art designs that blend traditional local craftsmanship with contemporary design approaches, incorporating material recycling and creative reuse.

While I don't consider doing pro bono work, I define good design by two key criteria:

1. Its effectiveness in solving the identified problems

2. Its ability to create spaces that resonate emotionally with users

I actively support fellow designers by:

• Sharing my design perspectives and professional standards

• Providing opportunities through project referrals

• Fostering meaningful collaborations within our design community

This approach allows me to contribute to both environmental sustainability and the growth of our design ecosystem.

Participating in the A' Design Award serves as an exceptional platform to connect with outstanding industry peers. Such accolades represent professional recognition from the design community while simultaneously enhancing project presentations for clients - ultimately creating significant advantages for securing future commissions.

Design awards and my career development exist in a mutually reinforcing cycle:

• The honors validate my professional expertise

• This recognition leads to higher-quality projects

• Improved portfolios enable more competition participation

• Further awards elevate my practice to new levels

Being an award-winning designer fills me with profound honor and joy. Your recognition serves as my enduring motivation to push creative boundaries. This virtuous cycle continues to propel both my skills and career forward.

The fluid spatial philosophy employs a dual-circulation layout, with the central collaborative hub surrounded by window-side quiet zones to minimize distractions. By visibly integrating corporate culture into product and workspace design, employee creativity is enhanced—drawing inspiration in part from sci-fi cinematic aesthetics and research on future workplace behaviors.

The workspace is divided into collaborative dynamic zones and quiet static areas, allowing employees to immerse themselves in a sci-fi-inspired yet naturally comfortable environment that enhances both work experience and efficiency

The future demands redefining the relationship between people and workspaces as soon as possible through cutting-edge technologies and innovative materials

I spent fifteen days working on it.

The client hoped to integrate the product with the office environment, and the business model of the outsourcing party provided excellent inspiration.

Yes, I have worked on design projects for numerous other companies, and my designs are currently being implemented by the client firms that commissioned them.

Each project involves different clients with unique design purposes

Project clients for hotels, apartments, and residential properties worldwide

This design integrates product display with work settings, distinguishing itself from conventional office space concepts.

The project name is determined by the client.

Pinterest、Photoshop、AutoCAD

The design employs advanced materials and innovative technologies, while optimizing spatial arrangements.

We partner with metal wall system manufacturers, assembling specialized technical teams with diverse expertise for each project.

Higher-precision installation and implementation

Yes, optimal wind speed, temperature, and illuminance—especially airflow direction and lighting angles—significantly impact human comfort.

New material applications may face initial implementation challenges.

I hope to connect with top-tier industry peers while gaining visibility and recognition for my design work.

Focusing on new technologies and materials, then quickly applying them to designs can make a significant difference.

That's all

My early training was in fine arts, where I initially focused solely on painting—back then, I had no real concept of “space.” It was only when I discovered interior design that I essentially stepped out of the canvas and into physical space. I completed my specialized design education domestically, then honed my skills through hands-on practice.

Creative passion drives my design work. I strive to craft spaces that resonate emotionally, much like a masterful painting or moving melody. Through design, I seek to transform lives—both in public realms and within my own home. This relentless pursuit of meaningful change is precisely why design is my perfect vocation.

From reluctant designer to passionate creator—my journey began when painting studies led me to design by necessity, only to discover it was my true calling all along.

Specializing in medical aesthetic spaces, I aspire to create more transformative environments where individuals rediscover confidence through design.

Passion for design comes first—only through genuine love for the craft can one devote full commitment to every project, delivering works that satisfy both creator and client. With such consistent dedication, success follows as naturally as water flows downhill.

Good designers follow trends; great ones create them, transforming how people live.

Great design harmonizes all technical elements—lighting, materials, scent, temperature—to evoke emotional resonance with space. Any creation that achieves this spatial empathy qualifies as good design. My criteria? Whether it solves the intended problems, and whether it moves its audience emotionally.

Exceptional design creates spaces that move people, orchestrating emotions with the healing power of a masterpiece painting or symphony. In homes, it manifests as quality of life; in commercial settings, it operates as invisible productivity. Investing in design isn't about aesthetics—it's about elevating how we live and work.

Given the opportunity, I would design a bespoke home for my family—one that transcends mass-market real estate, where each space embodies its occupant's unique aspirations.

My dream project is to personally build a home for my family—one that fulfills each member's unique vision of dwelling. Yet without access to suitable land, this remains suspended in the realm of dreams.

The secret to design success lies in relentless focus, treating each project with meticulous care, accumulating hard-won expertise, mastering details, and ultimately crafting spaces that resonate emotionally.

I.M. Pei revolutionized architecture through geometric precision and masterful light manipulation—innovating with space, materials, and illumination to redefine the dialogue between art and human experience.

Among I.M. Pei's masterpieces, the East Building of the National Gallery stands as my favorite—where his virtuosic deployment of triangular geometry not only achieved architectural perfection but also pioneered innovative design approaches that influenced generations to come.

None of my works qualify as “great” in my eyes—though some are decent, they fall far short of greatness. One particular project revitalized a derelict old house: while preserving original materials, we adapted its functions for contemporary needs, creating new cultural connections

Travel extensively—immerse yourself in diverse cultures, landscapes and environments. Let alternative ways of living become your wellspring of design inspiration.

Had I not become a designer, I would likely have pursued a career as a financial advisor—after all, I currently dedicate time to strategic investments, which has grown into a genuine passion.

To me, design is about crafting emotional spaces—experiences that stir the soul like a haunting melody. It's a visual language that articulates the beauty born where spatial forms and human emotions collide.

One of my clients, a chain business owner, entrusted me with a series of projects—from new constructions to heritage renovations. It's precisely this demand for continuous innovation within similar typologies that has driven my creative evolution and shaped my professional achievements.

While I don't consider myself a great designer, my continuous growth stems from: rigorously analyzing successes and failures from past projects, approaching each commission with meticulous care, mastering details, maintaining proactive client communication, and ultimately delivering satisfying realized works.

Translating design into reality is an intricate dance—a complex interplay of budgeting, multidisciplinary coordination, and even client preferences. Like dancing in shackles at first, each successful project loosens constraints as trust accumulates with clients

Design isn't created in isolation—it thrives through engaging with peers, experiencing exhibitions, exposing work to broader audiences, and most crucially, listening to diverse perspectives.

My upcoming project focuses on a medical aesthetics center primarily for women. The challenge lies in creating a “fashion-forward yet tech-integrated, warm and comfortable” space for beauty-seeking clients—a holistic test of emotional resonance, functionality, and meticulous detailing. I'm determined to innovate beyond conventions.

Ultimately, I aspire to become the most trusted and liberated designer—one who is entrusted with meaningful projects offering full creative freedom, allowing maximal realization of my design vision.

People expect a competent designer to handle diverse projects while prioritizing energy efficiency and sustainability—making tangible, albeit modest, contributions to society.

Design holds the power to heal our relationship with the world—whether by humanizing medical spaces into warmer, more comforting environments, enhancing urban charm through thoughtful color interventions, or seamlessly blending structures into nature via eco-conscious materials and planning.

A medical aesthetic project primarily targeting women. Designing a "fashionable, technology-integrated, warm, and comfortable" space for individuals with beauty aspirations presents a comprehensive challenge encompassing emotion, functionality, and meticulous details.

The sales space designed for a chain jewelry store faced significant challenges: a small and difficult-to-utilize area within a shopping mall, while still needing to maximize revenue per square meter. The final design not only provided customers with a fresh and comfortable shopping experience but also contributed to a substantial increase in the company's sales performance.

Hope that design will no longer indulge in superficial extravagance, but instead focus on solving real problems; hope that designers will no longer be obsessed with self-promotion, but rather become more down-to-earth, dedicating themselves to the essence of design.

The design field will embrace cutting-edge technologies and materials, leveraging innovative tools to liberate designers from labor-intensive tasks. Just as AI integration allows designers to focus more on exploring creative possibilities, this evolution mirrors the paradigm shift from hand-drawn blueprints to computer-aided design.

The process from concept to execution typically takes 45 days to six months, depending on the project scale and collaboration model. More complex projects require more detailed preliminary information, which directly impacts the overall project timeline.

The process begins with understanding the preliminary design requirements, project location, and the spatial characteristics of the site itself.

Design transforms lives, and we approach every project with meticulous dedication

I believe trends shape design, because good design harnesses trends – leveraging their momentum to create solutions that truly resonate with contemporary needs, rather than forcibly altering people's lifestyles and habits.

I believe technology serves as an essential foundation for design execution, while distinctive designs establish one's signature creative identity.

Software: AutoCAD, SketchUp, D5 Render

Hardware: iPad, Computer

Inspiration Tools: Pinterest

Color shapes emotions, materials define spatial comfort, and environment sets the overall ambiance – their synergy creates an immersive space that resonates emotionally.

I hope they ask: "How do you integrate technical solutions to achieve the desired spatial experience?" rather than inquiring about specific forms, materials, or design techniques.

Seeing it is like hearing a moving song that touches my soul. I find myself wondering: What resonates so deeply? What spatial elements compose this emotional experience? And how might these principles inform my next design?

An ideal design partner should complement my skills and compensate for mutual weaknesses. I believe in co-creation - recognizing that individual capacity and expertise are inherently limited. Only through teamwork can we achieve designs that are faster, better, and more elevated.

I believe I.M. Pei has influenced my design philosophy the most. His mastery of geometric articulation and light manipulation creates architecture that not only dialogues with history but also redefines the relationship between art and humanity through innovative spatial configurations, material selections, and lighting techniques.

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind traces the evolution of human habitats and architectural styles from primitive to modern times, examining how different communities developed distinct requirements for their living environments throughout history.

Maintain perpetual reverence for every project, dedicating full commitment to each endeavor. Fuse client needs with design flexibility, all while upholding uncompromising standards for your own work.

I want to meet Li Bai and ask him: "What inspired your boundless poetic imagination? How did you transcend the ideological constraints of your era?"

First, I must thank the client. Though the design fee was modest, it was their substantial subsequent investment that brought my visionary work to life. As the saying goes, "Fine wine needs no bush" — exceptional work inevitably garners recognition.

Blue is my soul's hue, Tibet's pristine skies haunt my dreams, and sashimi offers gustatory nirvana. Summer sunlight ignites my creativity, while a Range Rover isn't merely a vehicle—it's a mobile observatory that unveils the plateau's wonders. Each passion embodies my yearning for freedom and uncharted horizons.

Years ago, I designed a chair that couldn't be sat upon – an absurd, whimsical creation that brought me immeasurable joy

Nothing jumpstarts my day like a simple cup of coffee—and when that's not enough, a fine cigar does the trick, its swirling smoke conjuring inspiration. Then, upon completing a project, nothing beats hitting the road in my beloved car toward dream destinations. This is my personal reward system, where every fulfilled aspiration makes life sparkle.

Not at all. As a kid, I thought I had zero artistic talent. It wasn't until I discovered painting that everything changed—the vast world within those canvases finally ignited my creative desire.

Frankly, I'm rather pessimistic about the future. A thousand years from now, humanity may be unrecognizable—technology will have radically transformed our living environments and ways of inhabiting space beyond imagination.

To me, it's enough that fans understand my work and are moved by my designs. As for my private life—I have absolutely no desire to share any of it with the world.

My journey from learning painting in my youth to specializing in interior design represents a transition from two-dimensional art to spatial creation. The endless pursuit of designing spaces that evoke diverse emotional resonances has become both my joy and motivation as a designer. Yes, my dream is to become a designer.

Our studio aspires to take on diverse spatial projects and refuses to be pigeonholed into any specific design category.

Design addresses genuine needs while creating emotional resonance to elevate the spiritual value of space.

The design pursues a balance between functionality and aesthetics, with spatial narratives that evoke meaning.

I.M. Pei employed geometric precision and masterful light manipulation to create architecture that not only dialogues with history but also redefines the relationship between art and humanity through innovative use of space, materials, and illumination.

A chair not meant for sitting

Pinterest

Travel-infused inspiration

Resonance between Space and Emotion

Immerse. Enjoy. Excel.

It feels like seeing my own child—especially when the creation earns recognition.

Dedicated and in-depth research

Functional rationality comes first, followed by its capacity to evoke appropriate emotions

We emphasize integrating indigenous craftsmanship with contemporary design, transforming reclaimed materials into sustainable art.

Emerging technologies and materials are driving design evolution, with future tech-digital art fusion reshaping the creation and impact of immersive spaces.

Based in Shenzhen since 2018, we're seeking suitable opportunities to host an exhibition this year.

Immerse in painting, sculpture, film, and beyond—constantly seeking works that challenge my imagination.

I aspire not for a conspicuously distinctive design style, but rather for an approach that authentically embodies each project while evoking profound emotional resonance.

Shenzhen, though not long steeped in China's ancient cultural timeline, benefits from the nation's vast multi-ethnic heritage that provides abundant design inspiration. The city's concentrated focus on design development, however, remains a relatively recent phenomenon.

We welcome collaborations on challenging projects.

Grant designers greater creative freedom.

Listen, decode, and gather design inspiration—transforming needs into orderly yet vibrant spatial narratives through design.

An adjustable-height desk, my son's piggy bank, a birdcage, my wife's storage cabinet, and my tobacco pipe

7:00 News digest

8:00 Client calls | Site solutions | Design forum engagement

13:00 Recharge break

15:00 Tea time & Intensive drafting

19:00 Fitness recharge

22:00 Nightly reflection

Embrace multidimensional inputs, endure creative solitude, and savor the design journey.

Relentlessly pursuing new challenges, yet forever haunted by the impossibility of perfection

Prioritizing the interplay of void and solid, while weaving spatial narratives.

Imagination

Pinterest、Photoshop、AutoCAD、IPad

Institutionalize structured communication and creative sessions to establish a mutually agreed workflow among all stakeholders.

Two to three months

Do you have prior experience with this typology of design?

Acquired critical design processes and delivery standards within a global corporate environment.

Retail Chain Operator、Hotel Property Owner、Master Tenant

Curating design inspiration through the study of exemplary works is a profound delight.

Rapidly integrate emerging technologies and innovative materials into design applications.

Self-developed

Currently specializing in healthcare space design, aiming to create environments that balance professionalism and comfort through warm color palettes and meticulous spatial planning

Email: 317233320@qq.com

Tel:+86 186 7676 7957