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Jie Yang

ChinaPackaging

Interviews with Jie Yang

Read the interviews with Jie Yang: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Design Legend Interview

50 questions

I am in Shenzhen, China. This is the design capital of China. Now we are more and more recognized. I graduated from the Chinese Academy of Art, but I am particularly interested in international design concepts and art…

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

I am in Shenzhen, China. This is the design capital of China. Now we are more and more recognized. I graduated from the Chinese Academy of Art, but I am particularly interested in international design concepts and art, so I also read a lot of books.

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

I began to study fine arts at the age of five, such as sketch, watercolor, oil painting and so on. In fact, I was very naughty when I was a child. My parents didn't have time to look after me, so they sent me to the holiday art class and let the art teacher take care of me. Then found that i have a special sensitivity to art, and then I never give up my art study until I finish my studies and enter the social work. It is logical that i become a designer. I think my most suitable job is design, which will bring me endless happiness and satisfaction. I love design very much.

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

This is a happy and correct choice in my life.

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

I like emotional design, I hope my design can make people happy or sad tears, touching

people's hearts.

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

Study hard and live conscientiously

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

It's like two people: one is beautiful, and the other will come into your heart.

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

To understand and understand the design you want to do, I see excellent design will say: "I see this design, I am particularly happy."

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

Good design can make everyone like it and sell the product better, so that's why everyone is willing to invest in good design.

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

I will design a poster to convey peace, and I will design a poster for people suffering from war, so that they can live hopefully.

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

Creation with International Designers

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

Find design inspiration in life and integrate design into life.

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

Mr. Traut and Mr. Jin Diqiang

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

They like the design that is full of vitality, and I like it too, because it gives you the power to move up freely.

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

My greatest design is the tea packaging for my father, because it represents my love for my father.

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

I will share my design results with them and they will be very happy to hear about it.

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

I don't know, because I haven't thought about it, I think I was born for design.

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

The core of the design is to facilitate people's lives and bring people the enjoyment of beauty, I have been doing so.

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

My wife, she is not only my teacher, but also my supporter. I love her very much. Without her, there would be no achievement for me today.

What helped you to become a great designer?

I want to create more beauty for people's lives.

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

It takes a long time and rich experience to become a master of design. The word "give up" is the biggest obstacle.

How do you think designers should present their work?

Let the public judge

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

The next design project is China's agricultural products, because I want to bring them better sales through excellent design.

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

Be recognized and appreciated by everyone.

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

Hope to help them do more good design, so that the product sales better.

How does design help create a better society?

Let design convey positive energy information, so that people can achieve a better understanding.

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

Designing every project is something that excites me.

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

I am most willing to help the design of vulnerable groups, because I hope they live a better life.

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

I hope more collisions and exchanges between Eastern and Western cultures.

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

I think it should be designed to make people's life more convenient.

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

Depending on the design project, it is difficult to have specific time.

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

I will first communicate with the project side in depth, find the entry point, and then start other work.

What is your life motto as a designer?

Kindness, integrity and perseverance

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

Design determines trends

What is the role of technology when you design?

Technology is just the expression of design ideas.

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

CDR, AI, PS, etc., Apple Computer or DELL

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

What kind of environment decides what kind of color and material we use; for example, in a solemn environment, we need to use stable color and thick material, while in an amusement park, we should use bright color and fashionable and creative material.

What do you wish people to ask about your design?

What is the final impact of this design?

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

My thoughts will immediately enter the scene of the author's creation, and I will feel that I am on the scene.

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

My ideal design partner, hope is knowledgeable, not necessarily understand design. I Believe

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

I like to talk to entrepreneurs, they will tell us their difficulties, we can better reflect on how our design helps them. I also like to talk with my colleagues and learn more about the different opinions of my major.

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

Traut's Position

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

I keep learning and trying different ways of life, because I think good design must come from life.

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

I want to talk to Van Gogh, not about design, of course, but about his greatest insight into life.

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

Thank A'Design very much for giving me this honor. I think it's too difficult to be famous because the competition is too big. Everyone wants to be famous.

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

I appreciate all kinds of colors, like quiet places, like Chinese food, like spring and autumn, more like sports brands.

Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

When I first came out to work, I had no working experience. I remember designing an image poster for a children's wear brand, which should be pasted on the wall. When it was printed out, it was found that it was several times larger than that wall, because the size problem was simply ignored. It impressed me deeply.

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

Take the design work as your own pleasure.

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

I never thought I could be a great designer. When I was a kid, I was naughty and thought I was a person who nobody dared to hire.

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

Full of hope for the future, a thousand years later, do not know whether the design industry still exists? In fact, they are all unknown. I like the unknown, because it represents infinite possibilities.

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

I hope they understand that there are more wonderful stories behind good design.

Designer Interview

40 questions

I began to study fine arts at the age of five, such as sketch, watercolor, oil painting and so on. In fact, I was very naughty when I was a child.

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 began to study fine arts at the age of five, such as sketch, watercolor, oil painting and so on. In fact, I was very naughty when I was a child. My parents didn't have time to look after me, so they sent me to the holiday art class and let the art teacher take care of me. Then found that i have a special sensitivity to art, and then I never give up my art study until I finish my studies and enter the social work. It is logical that i become a designer. I think my most suitable job is design, which will bring me endless happiness and satisfaction. I love design very much.

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

After ten years of work, I started to set up my own studio, because I have accumulated a lot of experience, and many friends support my decision. I think setting up my own studio is the way I have to go. Now the studio has been six years, more and more people recognize us, we began to go international, and more friends to discuss design.

What is "design" for you?

My design is life.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I like to design natural, free and emotional design.

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

I don't have a favorite, because there will always be better design works, so I think they are worth to appreciate and learn.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

The first thing is to get in touch with his founder and find out what's beneath his appearance and deep inside his soul.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

I like paints and brushes because they are the things closest to you in the process of creation.

When do you feel the most creative?

My most creative time is when everyone is off work or resting, because I like quiet.

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

I am concerned about the accuracy of the information expressed in the design, not just the beautiful pictures.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

When I think of a good idea, I get very excited and start writing key words or drawing some drafts right away.

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

Just as happy as seeing my children, I will put them on my display shelf.

What makes a design successful?

Success comes from a deep understanding of the project and teamwork.

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

Good or bad is not absolute, I think, depending on which angle we look at, I seldom use good or bad to evaluate a design.

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

Designer's responsibility, should bring people's life beautiful and convenient, should be the flashpoint in the environment.

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

In the field of design, we should lead the progress of the times and try to find a new sustainable development direction in the future.

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

I'm sorry that I haven't held a personal exhibition yet, but I have published my works in design books, but I believe there will be a personal exhibition soon.

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

Design inspiration, I think, stems from the understanding of life, in order to make better creativity, so I will try a variety of different ways of life, contact with different people, with their hearts to feel them.

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?

My design style is simple and trendy, because people don't like too complicated design. The main feature of my style is a brand new feeling. The method used in the design will not be similar to the same style. This is what I have always followed.

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 Shenzhen, China. Of course, the culture of our country will affect me, because design needs to coexist harmoniously with human beings. In China, design is actually very interesting, because China has thousands of years of cultural accumulation, these long history and culture, will make designers easily "kidnapped" by culture, but the advantage is that there are endless elements to stimulate your design inspiration.

How do you work with companies?

Our country has a formal system of cooperation, and all people will abide by these rules. We will select companies that have a certain understanding of design and attach importance to design to cooperate.

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

This is actually a difficult problem. In the process of China's transformation from a big manufacturing country to a big creating country, it means that Chinese entrepreneurs need to know more about design at the same time, which is often more difficult than running their companies. I would recommend that they seriously talk to the design company, because in the course of the conversation, they can find out whether the design company has noticed the core issues that the enterprise needs to solve, rather than constantly comparing the design manuscripts. So we never take part in the competitive tender work.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

When working on a design project, I don't get into the working phase very quickly, but I think about ideas whenever I want, and maybe I'll travel. When you have creative ideas that excite you, you will enter the working state.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

Vase, tea table, table lamp, wine rack, desk

Can you describe a day in your life?

After waking up in the morning, I had breakfast, took my daughter to school, went back to the studio to have a meeting to discuss the work to be done that day and the arrangements for the next few days. Tea making, calligraphy writing, chatting with visiting guests, asking about the team's progress before work, and discussing her affairs with her daughter when she returns home. I like this kind of natural life, I think a good family together can make my design inspiration more loving.

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

Young designers need time to settle down and not be too anxious. I suggest that when you are young, you read more books, read excellent designs, live a better life, and get along with the people around you more harmoniously.

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

Actively, you can guide your employer to have a good idea and implement it well; negatively, you are afraid that it will affect your design and give you more unprofessional opinions, so design is actually a job of communication and understanding.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

The principle of subject-predicate-object satisfies the expression of the first information element, and then the second and third.

What skills are most important for a designer?

comprehension and communication skills

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

I call the knowledge base needed for design. The existing knowledge is the knowledge base, but I never confine myself to the existing knowledge to find these answers, so we need to add the library to find the desired content from other places. I may be looking for unrelated books.

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

I will plan the time node for this work, when I want to be creative, when I want to find information and when I want to finish the manuscript.

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

It usually takes 30 to 60 days.

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

How do you need us to help you?

What was your most important job experience?

From school to society, it was a very hard time, let me know what is insistence, adhere to the design is correct.

Who are some of your clients?

OPPO, Hengdian Group and Corps are all well-known enterprises in China, of course, there are also small start-ups.

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

I like works that can express people's feelings. I think design is an indispensable part of life, which can make our life better.

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

My future plan is to become a top design company in China, help more enterprises to have a good brand image, and then I will get more awards to prove that I can help them, which is the partner they should choose.

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

We work as a team.

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

There's a lot of work going on, but I'd like to take a long time to answer this A'Design questionnaire seriously, because it's something to be happy about.

How can people contact you?

Telephone or Wechat, it's very convenient.

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

I hope A'Design is getting better and better, and I hope I can win more awards.

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Data Source

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