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Haolai Francis Zhou

United States of AmericaGraphic

Interviews with Haolai Francis Zhou

Read the interviews with Haolai Francis Zhou: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Design Interview

Option Poster Design · 15 questions

People still have their own thoughts, voice but fear to speak out. They lives in the painful world of Silence, especially for Women Right issue.

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

People still have their own thoughts, voice but fear to speak out. They lives in the painful world of Silence, especially for Women Right issue.

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

Looking for an appropriate visual language is main focus since that's the way how people can communicate with the poster, and how they read this poster in deep. Finally, I found sometimes a simple iconic graphic means a lot, and it's easy to convey the main message of design.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

Always being critique and improve the design.

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

It takes my 2 months to draw many sketches and ideas, but never figure out the best visual language.

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

Just like the message of design is about speaking out you own voice, I also feel I need to make design speak to people who need help, who need a hint, and it's the way that how I can convey my own thoughts.

What made you design this particular type of work?

A powerful language speaks to the core of the problem. I think instead of using tons of visual imagery, Iconic graphics is powerful, creative, meaningful, intriguing, and so on.

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

The main visual graphic is not a image/photo, and the big challenge and great point is using iconic language speaks to the sensitive topic.

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

The "Option" is the deep voice when people facing difficulties and problem. The language and the main message is giving people a voice that they've known, but hard to choose, and make action on it. Also, it happened on my design process, which I don't know how to pick a best visual language from all of my design ideas and sketches. However, you have to make an option.

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

Pen. I like to draw lots of sketches to see my visual idea. The way you draw is the way how you're thinking of the design.

What is the most unique aspect of your design?

I think it's the visual look of the Iconic. Sometimes, a wonderful image, a creative illustration could be telling a lot, and intriguing. However, I found a single icon is not only be served for user experience or function, but also it has its own feeling and voice to convey and represent a lot.

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

I did the design by myself, but I do need to thank you all of the friends, and people who are interest at my design to contribute their personal thoughts about Women rights. Also, thanks for all people who participated in my research/survey process.

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

Listening. I was trying to chat and discuss different age groups of people to collect and deeply understand their voice about Women Rights. The diversity of the thoughts for Women Rights gave me a lot inspiration, and it makes the determination to fully push harder to myself to explore and present this series of design.

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

Finding a good visual language to present this sensitive global issue, and how to communicate with people, and evoking their deep feeling.,

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

It also is a way to communicate with more and more people, and help people who needs a warm and a powerful voice to encourage them.

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

Self-critiquing is happening during the all process. How to make option is not hard, but it's not easy. There is no the best design, just like there is no correct answer for people's lives. Just do it, and make it to be an answer.

Design Legend Interview

24 questions

I had totally 10 years graphic designer experience, and I love the fine art as well, especially Illustration, Sketch, Oil painting and so on.

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

I had totally 10 years graphic designer experience, and I love the fine art as well, especially Illustration, Sketch, Oil painting and so on.

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

Never thought about a graphic designer until move to college. I found out that there is another simple, straight forward art language to do storytelling, and voice out for people, and World—Graphic Design.

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

Yes, I chose to be a designer.

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

Brand Identity System, and Illustrated visual communication

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

Stay thinking, stay drawing, and free up your deep thoughts.

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

Experience, and thinking.

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

3-seconds rule—understand the core message of the design in 3 second.

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

A good communication, a better visual language could change people's live.

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

Posters, for the people, and community of the World.

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

3-seconds rule—understand the core message of the design in 3 second.

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

Paul Rand

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

Sketching and thinking.

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

A fine artist.

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

A way to tell you how to thinking.

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

Everyone in my life.

What helped you to become a great designer?

Put an eye on the world.

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

Changing the World, and make it better.

How does design help create a better society?

Telling more and more good story, and lead people to the new World.

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

Sketching my initial ideas.

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

They both happened at the same time.

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

Adobe Creative, iPad Pro.

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

Just do it.

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

No, you never know you will be a designer until you experienced more and more in your life.

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

The man always in Chaos.

Designer Interview

39 questions

I had totally 10 years graphic designer experience, and I love the fine art as well, especially Illustration, Sketch, Oil painting and so on. Never thought about a graphic designer until move to college.

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 had totally 10 years graphic designer experience, and I love the fine art as well, especially Illustration, Sketch, Oil painting and so on. Never thought about a graphic designer until move to college. I found out that there is another simple, straight forward art language to do storytelling, and voice out for people, and World—Graphic Design.

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

A brand laboratory focus on presenting love and ideas on the critique. Creating design brands, products and experiences for community and cities. Taking care of the public issues around the world, and presenting visual voice is to develop solutions for a better tomorrow.

What is "design" for you?

The powerful visual language.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

Brand Identity System, and Illustrated visual communication

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

Paul Rand's Poster design is my favorite. Powerful language is leading to the core message, and affectively convey the voice to public or business-wise.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

A poster design for a special event.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

Brand Magazine, and Pinterest.

When do you feel the most creative?

At night, and the day I may not have a good mood.

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

Visual language & Graphics

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

Passion, Chaos, and need to calm down a bit.

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

Appreciated, thankful, and happy

What makes a design successful?

Critique, and Just do it!

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

3-seconds rule—understand the core message of the design in 3 second.

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

Find a way to convey the hidden voice, and please a good/beautiful communication.

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

Diversity, Cooperation. Always finding the needs for society, and people.

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

Next one will be on end of 2020.

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

Multiple art formats, Reading, and put an eye on the details.

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?

Iconic, Straight forward, Powerful, and visualization.

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?

San Francisco, and Nanjing, China. The difference of culture, the contrast of the language. It affects me a lot on design thinking.

How do you work with companies?

Creative, no boundary, and open for different voice

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

Better to know what's the advantages and disadvantages of the designer, and always put your trust on designer.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

Sketching, and thinking is always my first step.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

Cat toy, apple keyboard, table desk, pencil, and sketch book

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

Stay thinking, stay drawing, and free up your deep thoughts.

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

Help and communicate for clients, public and world, but not only for themself(designers).

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Design, and speak a needed idea. Not about what's your thoughts.

What skills are most important for a designer?

Sketching.

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

Adobe Creative, iPad Pro, sketch book.

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

keep thinking and critiquing everywhere, anytime so that you can save time to sitting down for blank idea sheet.

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

It depends on the requirements and topic.

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

Do you love design, and do you think designer is so tired?

What was your most important job experience?

San Francisco Ballet. Knows better for learning marketing.

Who are some of your clients?

Jins, San Francisco Ballet, Kolmostar, PBlock, etc.

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

Logo design.

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

Keep working, keep thinking, keep finding the way lead to the answer of my life.

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

For sure, team is always the best, but you have to be able to make your own part as basic skill.

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

I'm working on developing the idea of Chaos. It could be more artistic project.

How can people contact you?

franciszhou216@outlook.com

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

Everything is good to me, many thanks!

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The design interview data shown in our design interview page with Haolai Francis Zhou regarding Option Poster Design comes from the Design Interviews platform, where leading designers, architects and brands are interviewed regarding their award-winning designs, products and projects.