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Guangzhou Pingtian Crafts Co. Ltd

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Interviews with Guangzhou Pingtian Crafts Co. Ltd

Read the interviews with Guangzhou Pingtian Crafts Co. Ltd: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Designer of the Day Interview

12 questions

In 2010, I led the local villagers of Pingtian together to open a studio in the village, about a dozen people in scale, they insisted on manual production, and the layers of craftsmanship were meticulous and solid.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

In 2010, I led the local villagers of Pingtian together to open a studio in the village, about a dozen people in scale, they insisted on manual production, and the layers of craftsmanship were meticulous and solid. From gathering into bamboo joints, planing into bamboo slices, subdividing bamboo filaments, weaving into bamboo weaving utensils, to deburring to mildew and insect control in the later stage. Dao Dao's manual operation, Pingtian's bamboo weaving products are all made by the village's masters with decades of bamboo weaving experience. I knit with these masters every day, that's when I first started designing.

How did you become a designer?

Out of interest and enthusiasm in art, l entered into college to study art.However with-in-depth study,I found art not aiming at solving problems as design, thus changed the major to design.But,as far as I know,art and design,of course,have something in common.For example,the imagination required by art is also most important for design.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

Human science and technology or humanization of science and technology may not be a style, making design closer to people and ignoring design is a design method.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

It is best to have calm after excitement.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

Guangzhou, China, before we tried our best to get close to our traditional culture, then we found that we needed to stay away to get closer, so-called

"I don't know the true face of Mount Lushan, only because I am in this mountain". Only when I look at my mountain from other mountains can I be more real. The current situation in China, from the perspective of various industries, is full of opportunities and the design is at the right time.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

We have paid close attention to some industries and hope to do some industrial design to lead design companies to the development path of enterprises.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

Sincerity and love may be the panacea for career development.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

Real design is something to be proud of, but we will face many fake designs without realizing it.

What is your day to day look like?

Imagination and criticism, ideal and reality, persistence and compromise coexist.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

Long-term research, calm judgment and honest implementation will lead to good results in design. Good design is the design that hides the design the deepest.

What is your biggest design work?

A thinking process is designed that can guide the design itself to requirements.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

Designers are equivalent to the director of a movie for products. They have social responsibilities both materially and spiritually, minimize waste of resources materially and advocate sustainable consumption spiritually.

Design Interview

Flex Multifunctional Lamp · 20 questions

Magnetic attraction and lever principle, Read that few lighting fixtures use natural materials. However, we believe that natural wood is a material that people are willing to touch, and reading lighting lamps rarely…

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

Magnetic attraction and lever principle, Read that few lighting fixtures use natural materials. However, we believe that natural wood is a material that people are willing to touch, and reading lighting lamps rarely have both large-angle adjustment and mobile lighting. Based on the research of existing products and people's hidden expectation of reading lamps, we have made such a design and implemented it in the most direct way.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

The main emphasis is on connection, angle adjustment mode, and mobile lighting function, especially what is to be realized: a high-power reading desk lamp design can be detachable, movable, rechargeable and upgradeable.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

Because it is a series design, more series products will emerge in the future.

How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

About 6 months, half of which we spent discussing the feasibility.

Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

Based on the research of existing products and people's hidden expectation of reading lamps, we have made such a design, which we have actively implemented.

Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

Is it your own work?

We produce and sell our own products. We present them to the market under our own brands, but we have cooperative sales companies.

What made you design this particular type of work?

Doubts about existing products, application missions of natural materials, and reasonable but different pursuits.

Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?

Some designs in Japan and Germany are inspiring to us, mainly because of their daily attention.

Who is the target customer for his design?

We hope that the target customers will be as broad as possible. If we have to make choices, we hope to pay more attention to the quality of life.The crowd chose the design.

What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

Different functional concepts, scene concepts, and different material pursuits.

How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

Inhabit. Like birds, they perch on branches and are free. They can stay still, jump and fly.

Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?

Basic graphic and stereo design software are used, and 3D printing and hand tools are used.

What is the most unique aspect of your design?

It should also lie in its unique magnetic attraction connection and angle adjustment.

Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?

We have a consistent tradition of teamwork, in addition to industrial designers, there are also professionals in electrical engineering and material processing.

What is the role of technology in this particular design?

Make the design accurate and smooth implementation.

Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

We do not have a special data research team. Based on our sensitivity to the industry, we collect data extensively through the Internet and conduct long-term daily research, and then make judgments. The Internet is really a good data collection tool. It is inconceivable without the Internet.

What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?

The combination of natural materials and industrial materials requires a lot of time to experiment and explore, which is a challenge.

How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

Our team is international.

What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?

Calm research, trust your own judgment, then carefully test, once determined to actively push forward.

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

No thanks.

Design Legend Interview

49 questions

Our team members are all graduated from art and design colleges and universities, with academic qualifications ranging from specialized to undergraduate.

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

Our team members are all graduated from art and design colleges and universities, with academic qualifications ranging from specialized to undergraduate.

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

We make design plans according to the research and judgment of the industry market. Because of the professional reasons and love of design, we have become designers.

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

It is all because of choice, a choice without regret.

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

We mainly design luminous products. If we have the opportunity to go further, we want to do some format design combining lighting and energy industries.

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

Sincerity and love may be the panacea for career development.

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

The difference lies in why the design.

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

Long-term research, calm judgment and honest implementation will lead to good results in design. Good design is the design that hides the design the deepest.

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

A good design conforms to the goal specially determined at the beginning of its design. The design has the logic of antecedents and consequences. A good design is the realization process of this logic. A design loyal to the goal reflects the value. This design is worth investing in.

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

Design an industrial model, specially designed for the replacement of industries.

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

We gave up some interesting design angles found in traditional handicrafts because it was not in the same direction as where we went.

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

This is totally something like echoes, but we need to stand further and higher to look at what we are doing now and criticize it.

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

Some Japanese designs have inspired us, but the inspiration given to us by the design circle is far less than that given to other categories, such as science and philosophy.

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

Some Japanese designers have unique vision.

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

We exercise our ability and patience to find opportunities from ordinary times. The idea of magnetic attraction linkage adjustment in this design comes from the most common observation, but it is very suitable and great here!

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

Think like a philosopher, study like a scientist, and then step by step with down-to-earth feet.

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

It may be a kind of craftsman.

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

Design is a process of thinking and realization with clear goals. First, it is close to people's needs, second, it is close to industry and commerce, and then it is close to other things, such as thoughts and feelings.

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

Teamwork is very important.

What helped you to become a great designer?

Different angles of thinking and a mentality that can compromise for the actual situation.

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

Create a wider design space.

How do you think designers should present their work?

Go to the show through normal.

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

The project will become more and more exciting. It is cross-industry and worth looking forward to!

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

New designs keep popping up.

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

Don't listen to what you say and watch what you do. It doesn't matter who it is. What matters is whether the design is worth looking forward to.

How does design help create a better society?

Sincere design, good design.

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

Study a new industry and find some exciting angles.

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

This design is very satisfactory to us. If you have used it, you will know that it is worthy of pride and satisfaction.

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

Design more for the industry, not for the sake of design.

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

It is bound to move closer to the industry, and designers are bound to become a profession in the industry.

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

There are both lengths and lengths. We hope that the design will be presented at the right time and the market needs it.

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

Industry research.

What is your life motto as a designer?

Questioning and denying.

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

Although good design may guide the trend, it is only a guide.

What is the role of technology when you design?

Technology is the foundation of design.

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

Basic design software is used.

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

The design of the final scene is related to these factors, which serve the use of the scene.

What do you wish people to ask about your design?

Yes, we are doubting ourselves.

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

Yes, design must be multidisciplinary.

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

Basic scientific researchers or some craftsman with special expertise.

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

Philosophical books and scientific magazines.

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

Consider the problem in an all-round way and sort out feasible clues.

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

Einstein, many questions need to be asked to him.

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

This is only a kind of recognition. There are many forms of recognition.

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

Black, Quiet Corner, Vegetarian, Autumn, New Technology and New Materials Conference, Some Brands Bravely Developing Application Design from Basic Research, such as Huawei and DuPont.

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

It was found that design really did not belong to a strict industry.

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

The design can be sold and loved. Attention to the ordinary from an unusual angle can bring new senses.

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

No, it's more artistic.

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

Design will become very common, as common as a thousand years ago, and even more common in a thousand years.

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

We have more stable channels of understanding than I do our online shop.

Designer Interview

39 questions

Out of interest and enthusiasm in art, l entered into college to study art.However with-in-depth study,I found art not aiming at solving problems as design, thus changed the major to design.But,as far as I know,art and…

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?

Out of interest and enthusiasm in art, l entered into college to study art.However with-in-depth study,I found art not aiming at solving problems as design, thus changed the major to design.But,as far as I know,art and design,of course,have something in common.For example,the imagination required by art is also most important for design.

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

PTLIFE is an innovative company focusing on luminous products design, with a creative and enthusiastic team of designers and engineers . It hopes to design and manufacture the products combining the modern science and technology with nature and traditional culture,organically and perfectly,using which people can enjoy the convenience of science and technology ,feel the gracious calm from nature and touch textures of the nation’s traditional craft.

What is "design" for you?

Design is an opening and a solution. Design is the result of a dialectical thinking process. Design makes the past newer, the present better and the future have a way to follow.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I like to design works that are not paid attention to in daily life but have great room for improvement. I like to think from different angles.

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

I like simple and powerful works that really touch the essence of needs and conform to subconscious habits.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

A thinking process is designed that can guide the design itself to requirements.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

Natural materials and comfortable experience are combined with photoelectric information technology to make science and technology present as human beings.

When do you feel the most creative?

Finding a new angle and entering the early stage of a design project are the most passionate.

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

Pay great attention to whether the design pays attention to the nature of the demand. For example, lighting is sometimes not for brighter, but for darker.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

It is best to have calm after excitement.

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

After a good design is implemented, when you see the satisfactory results, you will have a kind of astonished divine emotion: this is what God guided me! ?

What makes a design successful?

Try to think thoroughly, practice the operation, often stand on their own opposition, it is easier to make the design successful.

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

Whether it is really satisfied with the use, and whether it is really liked by people.

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

Designers are equivalent to the director of a movie for products. They have social responsibilities both materially and spiritually, minimize waste of resources materially and advocate sustainable consumption spiritually.

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

The design field has been changing all the time. It changes according to the changes of various industries. The future of design lies in industrial design.

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

We have an exhibition in Shanghai in September 2019 and an exhibition in Shanghai in September this year, every year.

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

Design inspiration comes from participation and careful observation of life. Constantly changing angles and learning different knowledge are ways to maintain imagination and creativity.

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?

Human science and technology or humanization of science and technology may not be a style, making design closer to people and ignoring design is a design method.

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?

Guangzhou, China, before we tried our best to get close to our traditional culture, then we found that we needed to stay away to get closer, so-called

"I don't know the true face of Mount Lushan, only because I am in this mountain". Only when I look at my mountain from other mountains can I be more real. The current situation in China, from the perspective of various industries, is full of opportunities and the design is at the right time.

How do you work with companies?

We will try our best to choose companies with complementary and technical backgrounds to cooperate.

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

Adhere to your unique development path and choose designers who can persist and dare to break through to cooperate.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

Research Industry-Narrow Scope-Find the Right Point-Design Intervention

Can you describe a day in your life?

Imagination and criticism, ideal and reality, persistence and compromise coexist.

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

Real design is something to be proud of, but we will face many fake designs without realizing it.

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

The negative is that you will experience many failed designs and know many failed designers. The positive is that we are still full of hope and stick to it.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Keep thinking and always doubt.

What skills are most important for a designer?

Cognition of essence and handling skills of beauty misguided and trivial matters.

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

Common design software will be used, but it is more important to know that tools are only tools, not the design itself.

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

Design is a work that is inseparable from life, so design is a part of life, but the design task of project initiation requires strict time planning and management.

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

There are both advantages and disadvantages. Some designs last for several years, because the implementation of the design cannot be too advanced or lagging behind. The design needs the support of the market.

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

Is that the only way?

What was your most important job experience?

Recognizing that design must be attached to the industry, design is a job in the industrial chain.

Who are some of your clients?

We hope that our customers are directly from thousands of households. We do not pursue the individuality of design, but the universality.

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

I like works that skillfully solve essential problems, because ingenuity requires wisdom, while seeing essence requires philosophy.

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

We have paid close attention to some industries and hope to do some industrial design to lead design companies to the development path of enterprises.

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

Everyone is limited and must work in a team.

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

The design currently in progress is about the improvement of traditional conventional products, hoping to find market space and improve the way to solve the problem within the existing scope.

How can people contact you?

Warmly welcome cooperation and contact, our address: 2, Block C, No.143 Yansha Road, Dongcun Village, Luopu Street, Panyu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province

Layer B, Contact: Kaka, Tel: 020-84584011, 18626348901, Email: PTLIFE@126.com, WeChatPTLIFE@126.com

Public Number: PTLIFE_

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

No thanks.

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The design interview data shown in our design interview page with Guangzhou Pingtian Crafts Co. Ltd regarding Flex Multifunctional Lamp comes from the Design Interviews platform, where leading designers, architects and brands are interviewed regarding their award-winning designs, products and projects.