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Luo Dan - DDA

ChinaInterior

Interviews with Luo Dan - DDA

Read the interviews with Luo Dan - DDA: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Design Legend Interview

49 questions

Sure.Well,I have been studied art since high school.I graduated from Changsha University of Science & Technology(CUST) as an art & design major student.After graduation,I continued my further study in this field in…

Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

Sure.Well,I have been studied art since high school.I graduated from Changsha University of Science & Technology(CUST) as an art & design major student.After graduation,I continued my further study in this field in Polytechnic University of Milan(POLIMI)and got my master degree in 2012.

What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

I've always been crazy about art and design,I got satisfaction by achieve good designs.Honestly,designing makes me happy.Yeah...I've always dreamed to become a good designer since I know I'm in love with art and design.

Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

Of course I chose to be a designer,it’s been my dream job since i was in school.

What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

Hotel design.

What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

Keep learning and do well what is worthy right now.

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

A great designer is not only good at designing,but also a life photographer,a wisdom thinker.

What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

Design originality,functional practicality,design materials

What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

A good design brings attention and investments, and also bring benefits more easily and faster.

What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

I design hotels,my clients would be well-known brand management companies and stable investors.

What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?

Four season hotel.

What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

Insist on my design style and always keep learning.

Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

Ieoh Ming Pei

What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

Glass Pyramid.

What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

Wyndham Grand Foshan.The lobby design is unique and magnificent with exquisite details and fine craft and technology.And the solar wind-power system is another design success.

How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

A designer must keep learning new knowledge and technology,experience as much culture as possible and keep thinking.I always like reading book and traveling around the world as much as I can.

If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?

I would be an artist.

How do you define design, what is design for you?

Design is a creative and inspiring work,it’s a great way to turn those creative ideas into reality,just like making dreams come true,it’s all about innovation,beauty,speciality,practicality.Design can truly improve life quality,change our life style.

Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

My teachers at school and those design masters I learned from.My family is my biggest supporters.

What helped you to become a great designer?

Learning from others and the past,different life experiences helped me have a better understanding of different cultures.

What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

how to keep creative ideas and design originality.

How do you think designers should present their work?

keep your own design styles.

What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

Howard Johnson Hotel Qujing,Yunnan.I plan to build more subsidiary companies both in China and abroad.

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

To achieve more excellent design and improve life standards.

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

More great works.

How does design help create a better society?

Design helps to improve people’s life qualities and the living environment.

What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

Howard Johnson Hotel Qujing,Yunnan.

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

Wyndham Grand Foshan.Because it’s a huge and challenging project and it’s China’s top 10 city landmark.

What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

I would say that design is developing into more common thing in life,and the technology is helping more in this field.

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

I think it could be used in any industry.

How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

Around 4 months for hotels,sometimes even more.

When you have a new design project, where do you start?

I usually start from concept scheme design.

What is your life motto as a designer?

Do what is worthy and do well.

Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

Well,sometimes design can become a fashion,and sometimes trends can decide what design is needed.

What is the role of technology when you design?

It’s very important and helpful.

What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

CAD,Photoshop,BIM,3D MAX,SketchUp.

What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

It’s the basic elements for design.

What do you wish people to ask about your design?

what’s special about my design.

When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

I want to know what’s great part of this design and learn from it.

Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

my best partners are my team.Co-design is a good way to save time sometimes.

Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

I think every clients helps me to become better.

Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

A Galaxy of World Brands Hotels.

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

Keep learning and experience more.

Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

Ieoh Ming Pei

How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

Well,I’m enjoying my design and it’s not easy to stand out in this huge industry,it’s time-consuming and needs hard work.

What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

black and white,summer,my own design,my own brand

What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

Keep learning and experience more.

When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

I would say yes.

What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

Design is becoming more common and specific.With the economical development,people are pursuing more higher life standards and qualities,which can bring design a new higher level,I think we would see more design in the future,in every industry,even daily life requests design.

Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

Just visit my website:www.luodandesign.com

Designer Interview

40 questions

Sure.Well,I have been studied art since high school.I graduated from Changsha University of Science & Technology(CUST) as an art & design major student.After graduation,I continued my further study in this field in…

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?

Sure.Well,I have been studied art since high school.I graduated from Changsha University of Science & Technology(CUST) as an art & design major student.After graduation,I continued my further study in this field in Polytechnic University of Milan(POLIMI)and got my master degree in 2012.I've always been crazy about art and design,I got satisfaction by achieve good designs.Honestly,designing makes me happy.Yeah...I've always dreamed to become a good designer since I know I'm in love with art and design.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

Yes,DDA/Dan Design Associates is a professional organization specializing in high-end design worldwide,we provide planning, architecture, interior, art furnishings design and supply,project engineering as one-stop design and consultancy services for customers.Since the establishment of DDA, it is aim to produce sustainable, timeless and fashionable art workin hotel design. DDA, up to now, has worked with many famous international hotel brands,such as Starwood, IHG, Accor, Wyndham, Argyle etc.

What is "design" for you?

Design is a creative and inspiring work,it’s a great way to turn those creative ideas into reality,just like making dreams come true,it’s all about innovation,beauty,speciality,practicality.Design can truly improve life quality,change our life style.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I have over 20 years experience of hotel design,especially those international hotel brands,such as Intercontinental, Accor, Wyndham etc. And I love what I’ve been doing in this field.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

Hmm...among all the designs I’ve made or been working on,Wyndham Grand Foshan would be my favourite design I think.It is an international platinum five-star hotel,a landmark project in China.The total height of the hotel is 168 meters and the area is nearly 80,000 square meters.The design inspiration came from the nature and local culture,which is the harmony between man and nature.The river nurtured generations of the local people same as the fish cannot leave the water.The fish,in Chinese culture,symbolizes prosperity and good luck.The river elements and the Canal Town culture were extended into the whole interior design.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

Pullman Baiyun Airport Guangzhou in 2007.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

My favourite material is marble and wood.I like interior design magazine,and my favourite technology is script-making design mode.

When do you feel the most creative?

Usually when I’m enjoying myself in music,I love singing and playing piano,and I’m pretty good at them.

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

Design inspiration,practicality,design materials.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

I feel excited and energetic.

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

I feel happy and satisfied,design always makes happy.

What makes a design successful?

A good design inspiration,a perfect use of materials,comprehensive communication with clients.

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

Design originality,functional practicality,design materials.

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

A mature designer must have the artist's quality, the rich experience of life and traveling, the business philosophy of operator, and the cost consciousness of a financial expert and sustainable environmental-friendly design philosophy.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

I think it is a necessary process of design to become more common and specific.With the economical development,people are pursuing more higher life standards and qualities,which can bring design a new higher level,I think we would see more design in the future,in every industry,even daily life requests design.

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

I didn’t have much time for my own exhibition.I spent a lot of time on my own projects and my company’s business.However,I definitely would have my own exhibition in the near future,probably next year.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

Well...my inspiration comes from the local culture and its marketing targets. I keep learning new knowledge and technology and I travel around the world to feed my creativity.I think my life experiences and different cultures are my sources of inspirations.

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 have worked with many international hotel brands,I’m familiar with the design standards of those brands,since most of my clients are Chinese,I’d like to add both Chinese and western culture elements in my design,so it’s a combination of Chinese and western styles. The market is there,customers want to see different styles mixed in a perfect way and they can also feel different cultural atmosphere in a comfortable way.The best way to keep this design style is to keep learning more,experience more and absorb more cultural things.

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 worked with many international hotel brands,I’m familiar with the design standards of those brands,since most of my clients are Chinese,I’d like to add both Chinese and western culture elements in my design,so it’s a combination of Chinese and western styles. The market is there,customers want to see different styles mixed in a perfect way and they can also feel different cultural atmosphere in a comfortable way.The best way to keep this design style is to keep learning more,experience more and absorb more cultural things.

How do you work with companies?

I have my own company,so I would say it’s a cooperation between companies based on mutual benefits.I would like to build a long term cooperating relation with other companies to bring more business for each other,or work as a strong team.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

The companies must know what kind of designer they need,how the designer’s skills fit for the companies and what the company can offer to keep the designer contribute more.It’s necessary to have a skill test for a designer and companies need to make a evaluation on a designer’s works in the past.,experiences are very important.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

First of all,I will go to check the project building for initial measurement and communicate with my clients to make sure what they need,give my suggestion from professional perspectives.Then I’ll make a concept design and planning,modify the scheme according to my clients’ opinions.After the planning design is done,it comes to the renderings design and construction drawing design,soft furnishing design is included if the clients need it.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

Pullman Baiyun Airport Guangzhou,Intercontinental Haitang Bay Sanya,Wyndham Grand Foshan,Zhongnan Center Suzhou,Beauty Crown Sanya,Grand Mercure,Guangzhou.

Can you describe a day in your life?

Most of the time I’m working,sometimes in office,sometimes on business trip.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

The greatest determination can produce the highest wisdom.Do one thing at a time, and do well.Design is a long-term job,designers must be patient and always keep learning new knowledge,no matter what difficulties you might have,just keep your initial heart for designing,because it’s worthy.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

People usually think being a designer is a noble and decent job,a designer is thought to be intelligent and is well respected,and as a designer,what we experience is more diversified,such as culture,history,civilization all over the world.However,we also come up against many difficulties and problems while designing,and it’s not easy to deal with those problems,which might cause negative feelings.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Any design should have a story,just like making a Hollywood movie.

What skills are most important for a designer?

Communication skills,creative thinking abilities,computer skills.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

CAD,PhotoShop,BIM,Pinterest,some design magazine,such as ArchDaily,Interior Design

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

I usually make a time scheme list to make sure every step is on the list,and at what time exactly need to be finished,marked the most important things to remind myself of what is emergency.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

It usually takes around 4 months to finish the design part for hotel designing.

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

What big successful projects did you design

What was your most important job experience?

I think it’s my design experience for Pullman Baiyun Airport Guangzhou in 2007.

Who are some of your clients?

Accor,Intercontinental,Wyndham,Argary etc.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

Hotel design is my favourite.I think hotel design is more challenging and I’ve been doing this type of design since I graduated from school.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

I plan to build more subsidiary companies both in China and abroad.The next step is to stable and spread my design brand worldwide as soon as possible.

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

I have a strong design team in my company,I take the role of team leader.

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

Recently I’m working on Howard Johnson Hotel Qujing,Yunnan.

How can people contact you?

Contact me by email:danluo98@163.com

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

No,thanks.

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The designer interview questions and answers published in our interview page with Luo Dan - DDA come from Designer Interviews, the international platform where world's top designers, star architects, creators and innovators are interviewed.