Interviews with Blend Design

I studied for diplom degree in visual communication design in Germany. After graduation, I have several years of German working experience and returned to China to operate a studio with like-minded partners for ten years. Most of our clients are cultural and art institutions: Confucius Institute, Central Conservatory of music, Goethe Institute, Hanns Seidel foundation of Germany, Beijing reading festival, etc. These customers accompany us to grow together, we trust each other and achieve each other.

Becoming a designer and taking design as a career is mainly due to academic background and my own love. I just came back to China and did a few commissioned projects well, so I persevered.

First of all, we must consider the industry attribute of the project (the first choice for cultural and art projects), then comprehensively evaluate the workload and pay back, and the embodiment of communication cost and designer value is also an assessment standard.

It's easy to get excited about the projects that we are interested in, and we'll do our best to do it with confidence. However, no matter what project we sign the entrustment agreement, we will keep a happy attitude to face it. Otherwise, the design process will be boring. The final implementation results are executed according to the design plan, and we will have a full sense of happiness.

My love of fine arts, my experience of studying in Germany, fortunately to meet the partners of studios who are complementary and have different skills.

I majored in design in China. After getting my bachelor's degree, I studied for diplom degree in visual communication design in Germany. After graduation, I have several years of German working experience and returned to China to operate a studio with like-minded partners. In the future, we plan to do the product design of the Blend brand, and apply the graphic design to daily life, such as notebook, mobile phone shell, bag. The dream is that Blend brand products are accepted by many people.

It's better to go to a large design agency just after entering the industry, to understand the process of design rationalization and enrich design thinking; It must be determined to insist on independent work for designers who already have some design experience.

Everyone has different standards of success. Only by liking and sticking to them can success be possible. You should follow your heart, and integrate design into everyday life.

The business has been basically saturated. Once in the studio every day, we will first sort out the progress of the project in our hands, track the time nodes, summarize the problems, then have a cup of coffee to quietly look at the listed problems, and find reasonable solutions one by one to enter the daily work. I browse the social information during the noon break. On the weekends that are not busy, I will take a look at the design industry information. When the business is not much, do something II like, travel, read, cook, grow flowers.

We don't follow the design trend deliberately, but we must understand the aesthetic changes of the public, the emergence of new technologies, the emergence of new consumption mode. Designers should always maintain their sensitivity to the society, and the cognition of beauty is classic,

Design is not a skill, but a sense ability and insight ability to capture the essence of things. Design basically has no power of self-expression, and its foothold is more focused on society. The essence of design is to solve the problems that most people in the society face together. In the process of problem-solving, that is, the values or spirits that human beings can feel together in the process of design, as well as the feelings caused by it, this is the most attractive part of design.

As for the readiness, I judge more by designing and displaying the effect after implementation. I am not satisfied with merely conveying information to people, and I hope that people can have a strong feeling for the content and respond positively.

Biggest? It should be the most socially significant design. We are responsible for the visual design of the three Frankfurt Book Fair attended by Confucius Institute. The first is to introduce Chinese children's picture books, the second is to introduce Chinese food, and the third is to introduce Chinese architecture. The nature of the project is what I like and am good at, and we share the same vision with the team of conccept and organization. Through this project, Chinese culture has been presented on the world stage, so that people around the world can increase their understanding of China. It's a very fulfilling thing. Good design requires not only function, aesthetics and attitude, but also emotion, memory and enough humanistic care.

My favorite graphic designer is my professor Niklaus Troxler. The posters of the Jazz Festival he made are colorful, lively and have strong visual impact. His innovative ideas and persistent spirit of design have a great impact on me. I also like the design of architect Zaha Hadid. I admire her as an Iraqi female designer who has a place in the history of world architecture, and has ruled out the difficulty of putting ideas that are cleverly conceived into reality. In addition, I also love the works of Xu Bing, a Chinese artist. His works integrate the eastern and Western cultures cleverly, which is profound and thought-provoking.

I live in Beijing now. Beijing is the center of Chinese culture. At the same time, it integrates a wide range of international culture, art and design resources. There is a lot of information about the latest art, design activities and exhibitions. It is a city with international perspective, national judgment and feelings. So the reason of occupation, life art, art life.

Design creates culture, culture shapes values, and values determine the future. We like to work with people who share common values, love design and have fun, and strive to make our consumers' lives better and easier.

I hope to participate in the design of some projects related to children, and I hope to plant the seeds of beauty and design cognition in the young mind.

The process of participating in A'Design Award is a little complicated. But I got a lot of exercise in the middle. During the preliminary evaluation, I learned how to conduct design performance more completely to improve our preliminary evaluation score; during the nomination confirmation stage, the process was rigorous, and the copyright, declaration and permission were carefully checked. Let me realize for the first time that such a professional competition needs to pay attention to these materials. After the award is confirmed, there are many preferential activities, such as joining the club free of charge, industry interviews and so on. I am looking forward to the follow-up results.

Before the design of this project, the environment and platform must be considered. Frankfurt Book Fair is the largest publishing industry exhibition in the world. It has become an influential cultural platform in the world, a grand event in the world book industry, and also known as the "world cultural wind vane"! The Confucius Institute headquarters held the China children's picture book exhibition at the world's largest book exhibition to promote China's excellent children's books and picture books to go further to the world. Visually, it needs to balance the cognition of international audiences and the uniqueness of regional culture, embody the children's theme of the exhibition, and fully integrate culture, art, children and design.

The core visual style is based on the oriental ink wash, respects the theme of illustrator's picture book creation.It maintains the same style in the design and display, and the added design elements are more attractive and communicable in the landing display, so that more audiences can understand the Chinese style children's picture book.

The award is the recognition of the design work, let more people understand our design, Chinese design.

It took about 45 days to communicate with the client about the planning theme and the builder about the details of the space.

The determination of visual design style is to find a reasonable fit with the overall planning theme scheme of customers, and the application expansion design needs more professional display of designers.

This project is commissioned by the client. The copyright belongs to the client. We authorize it to display the work.

The project has children's interest and contains profound culture, so that the world's wider children can understand Chinese culture.

The direction and some details of the design were suggested by my studio partner, which further strengthened the design style of this project.

He is a partner of our studio, and our clients are basically the same, but according to the nature of the project, the needs of the clients, he is good at itemized responsibility . He faces more Chinese customers.

Mainly because of the theme and display environment, combined with the designer's analysis behind the illustration. It is international and maintains the national regional culture.

The name of the project is chosen by the client. I have read more about the content behind "China", "children" and "pickture book " in the name. My understanding should be to reflect the Chinese children's longing for beautiful things and future life.

General design software (Photoshop, Indesign) plus painting tools (brush, Chinese paint, rice paper)

Combining rice paper and watercolor to try different blooming effects. The first is to add design elements and unify the style of illustration, and the second is to experience the ink painting skills of Chinese painting.

I work together with the studio partner, who is also a professional designer. We have a division of labor for the project, and there will be a communication to sort out the design direction before each new project is launched. There is also illustrator Liang Peilong, whose ink painting style inspired us a lot.

Technology does not play a decisive role in creativity, but it helps to design better performance.

Generally, data analysis is not taken into account, and occasionally individual projects consult certain associated data.

It was not easy to determine the direction. At that time, it took some time to persuade customers to adopt the direction of ink and wash. In addition, it was to communicate with the builder remotely and coordinate the details of the exhibition.

Works that you think are satisfactory hope to be submitted to international design competitions for a higher level of professional recognition.

The deep excavation of regional culture, the combination of design with excellent national culture, makes the work more vivid, and the design plays a greater social significance, so that the regional culture can be spread and exchanged.

The design industry is an industry that finds itself, finds its own process and develops its vision.

I got my bachelor's degree in design in China. After that I studied communication design at Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart, Germany, and studied with Niklaus Troxler, the international poster design master. Pro.Troxler organizes students to visit well-known designers and design studios around the world every semester, which has a unique teaching method. This let us to know the different ways of life and work of different designers and their different creative processes.

The overall design can exercise the designer's ability to integrate multiple information and sort out the logical relationship within the project. This experience and exercise is fun. My limited skills and love of design profession make me a designer.

Mainly like

At present, it is mainly visual design, and we will gradually try to develop design products. We hope that the design is close to life and accepted by the public.

From the heart like design is a prerequisite. It won't last long just to be a career of making a living.

He should have aesthetic cognitive quality and solve problems for customers through design.

The premise of good design is that designers and customers have a common goal and vision for the design results, and the rest is to fully trust the designer's profession and reduce interference. Whether a good design clearly conveys information and has aesthetic visual realization is easy to remember.

Good design brings economic benefits to customers, better communication effect and reputation for the project, and affects the participation and preference of the audience.

I want to design interesting daily necessities, such as notebook, mobile phone case and bag. The main target is young people, who are more likely to accept fresh and designed daily necessities. It is very important to cultivate their judgment and feeling of beauty.

To develop free brand (Blend)design products, integrate design into daily life, and integrate functions, technical and materials perfectly.

Love and persistence

My favorite graphic designer is my professor Niklaus Troxler. The posters of the Jazz Festival he made are colorful, lively and have strong visual impact. His innovative ideas and persistent spirit of design have a great impact on me.

Vision and professional background are different. I like a lot of styles. I like complementary and unique designs.

Cultural activities, visual design of events. The commercial level of return is not very high, but more artistic and cultural expression, which can give full play to the professional strengths of designers.

There should be a plan, but there should be no excessive utilitarian purpose. Follow your heart and work happily.

I might become a craftsman or pastry cook.

Design is a combination of art and business, insight and vision, empathy and economic indicators. The solutions are based on a deep understanding of the business logic and aesthetic experience of the target group.

Partner, family

Change of design environment and professional interest

Designers have many roles in society, and they have to face a lot of things that are not within the scope of design. The main energy and time are limited.

Exhibition and exchange in professional field; recommend the works in design field to potential target customers.

In the short term, due to the impact of the epidemic, several reserved projects cannot be designed at present. In the long run, I also hope to invest more energy in the design of free brand (Blend).

We will consolidate the business philosophy and foundation of the studio, pass it on from generation to generation, make more works we like, and participate in some matters of social significance and cultural development.

Expect the work to exceed their expectations

I hope to participate in the design of some projects related to children, and I hope to plant the seeds of beauty and design cognition in the young mind.

At present, because of the epidemic, we can only stay at home. We just spent a lot of time sorting out the works of recent years. We have done a lot of projects in retrospect. Most of the designs have some small regrets. We are looking forward to the birth of the next wonderful project.

The book world of Chinese children who won the prize in a'design award this time is one of the projects that we are satisfied with in price comparison. The first is that the theme and content are of great interest to us. Second, the whole design process, including communication with customer and builder, is very smooth. We have received a lot of understanding and support from our customer Confucius Institute Headquarters. We are very satisfied with the results of the design.

The whole society has improved the overall cognition of design, not only in the field of design specialty

Dynamic vision, multi integration, digital media

Each project is different and cannot have a clear timeperiod. But after signing the contract for each project, we will break down amount of work, specify a reasonable work time and core time point.

It mainly studies the needs of the project, the contents of communication. Who to say, what to say and how to say.

Only the design that you particularly like can make others like it.

Design is a commercial art, not a self-expression. Therefore, design is influenced by economic development, consumption habits and changes in social psychology.

Technology can extend the appearance of design and provide support for design innovation.

The tools are not certain, mainly some design general software, sometimes need some painting tools and photography tools.

Rich design, providing multiple possibilities for innovation

Understand the origin of my creativity

Admire and I want to know the logic behind the design.

My partner. Co-design must have one person as the final decision-maker. It is impossible to have a completely fair democracy in decision-making. Decision makers must have an inclusive mind and be good at listening to reasonable suggestions.

Design predecessors, elites in different industries

Design Psychology Series

Extensive involvement

I love the design of architect Zaha Hadid. She died of a heart attack in 2016. If I had the chance, I would like to ask her how to make a place in the world architectural history as an Iraqi female designer and put an ingenious idea into practice.

The prize is not for fame, but for professional recognition. It's not against fame

Blue, window position, cake, autumn, Oriental cultural and creative products, Cultural creation of the Forbidden City

During school time, I traveled with Professor Troxler and other students around the world to visit famous designers.

Through the works to get public praise, it bring more business, stable income, and can reach the state of selecting projects by myself. Listen to music, relax, relax, relax again.

Never thought about it, I never thought I would become a designer

There's so much information, new technology, new business models that the future can't be predicted

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www.blend69.com

I like painting since childhood. I got my bachelor's degree in design in China. After graduation, I hope to learn more about design so as to broaden my horizons. Then I studied communication design at Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart, Germany, and studied with Niklaus Troxler, the international poster design master. In addition to the study phase of the design, I have been working in the design industry for 15 years and will have been engaged in the design profession.

The studio was established in 2011 and changed to a company organization in 2017. We have an international design practice, an open attitude and a keen sense of art. We use the professional knowledge and experience gained from innovative cooperation with designers from different countries to design visual results suitable for different customers' unique communication purposes. We specialize in brand and event design, providing brand development, brand logo, books and publishing, illustration and printing design services. In each project, we strive to combine elegant design, best creativity and technological innovation. Our customers range from small start-ups to mature multinational institutions and organizations. We provide them with customized solutions based on usability, creativity, aesthetics and craftsmanship.

Design is a combination of art and business, insight and vision, empathy and economic indicators. The solutions are based on a deep understanding of the business logic and aesthetic experience of the target group.

Cultural and artistic activities, overall visual design of events. Such projects give designers more space to play.

My favorite is the NUDE dress rack designed by Chinese designer Shen Wenjiao. It has won the red dot award. It is simple, beautiful and easy to assemble, using the principle of mortise and tenon structure commonly used in ancient Chinese architecture. And designers have made a lot of efforts in the process of original design of enclosure. The story behind it moved me.

We have been entrusted by Goethe Institut to design the activity program manual and were responsible for the overall design of the ConTempo Composition Competition of the Central Conservatory of Music in China, this activity has been done for 10 years.

Paper, diverse and energetic team or platform with independent ideas, commonly used design software.

There is no fixed time, but there must be a quiet space to listen to your favorite music as the background.

The needs of the project, the core content of communication, the experience of the audience and the design performance of innovation.

Crazy because of not finding good inspiration, or anxious because of not objective design time.

I'm glad and helpless. I'm glad that the draft I like is adopted by the customer. But sometimes I feel helpless because the customer chooses or modifies the draft that I don't like personally.

I think the real success should reflect the social value of designers. We should synchronize the human desire with the emerging dream possibility, design and manufacturing technology support to meet the needs of the future.

Clear logical relationship, accurate information transmission, beautiful picture feeling

Design changes people's aesthetic and life attitude. It should make the environment more beautiful and life more pleasant.

Cross-border, cross-cultural, cross-technical and multi-field integration. We need to do well in our own areas and maintain an open and cooperative attitude. Good results come from close cooperation and common ambitions. By freely sharing ideas and seeking opinions, we can use each other's talents to make our work more complete and effective.

2015 poster theme exhibition, in a Art Center, in Xi'an China. It is a group exhibition of young artists, poster exhibition as an exhibition part.

Reading and travel

The integration of Eastern and Western culture. Just back to China in the early stage, I paid more attention to visual tension, simple and direct. It should be influenced by Bauhaus design education from Germany; after several years of design, the picture is more implicit, beautiful, Oriental flavor. It probably related to my travel to Japan. I like the Japanese Oriental style design very much. Strictly speaking, we don't have an obvious personal style. Business design is to solve problems for customers, and should not have its own unique style. Even if there is, it may be to seek the integration and balance of the two cultures of the East and the West.

I live in Beijing, China. With more and more working time, it will be influenced by the national cultural heritage. However, Beijing is an international metropolis, and the design information is also synchronized with the world. However, the professional cognition of the design needs to be improved gradually. The respect for the designer is conducive to the better performance of the designer.

An optimistic attitude helps to build a friendly working environment for more creativity and ability.

Common goals, free to share ideas

First, analyze project needs, disseminate core content, and extract keywords.

Second, free imagination, combing visual direction, sketching.

Third, lock in 2-3 different directions and improve the draft to about 70% to communicate with customers.

Fourth, explain the recommended design draft, confirm the direction, and complete the manuscript

I like too many designs and designers. When it comes to design products at home, NUDE clothes rack, IKEA trash can, French Staub enamel cast iron pot and Germany LAMY pen are all easy to use. Of course, things that are easy to use at home are far more than these.

We are a small design team. We don't spend much energy on design management and administrative management. Although we have fixed office space, we can work in different places at any time. Of course, the efficiency in the studio will be higher.

It's better to go to a large design agency just after entering the industry, to understand the process of design rationalization and enrich design thinking; It must be determined to insist on independent work for designers who already have some design experience.

The positive is easy to the reflect self-worth; the negative is the instability of work and overtime, and it is necessary to deal with work and life reasonably.

When it comes to the quality of our work and cultural cohesion, we will do our best.

The ability to communicate with customers, find the right foothold to meet the needs of the project, and the ability to be innovative.

The tools are not certain, mainly some design general software, sometimes need some painting tools and photography tools.

It is necessary to sort out and estimate the workload of the project and list the core time nodes.

Each project has different time periods according to its internal capacity and complexity.

What problems did the design solve for the customer? Did the commercial project increase the economic benefits to the customer.

Three years working experience in German agency RTS Rieger Team

Mainly for customers in the field of culture and art

I like works with both beauty and connotation.

We plan to produce some self-made design products in the next stage

Team work

These should be kept secret until the design is released

Email (gefang1008@126.com) and WeChat (13520779001) are my most common contact methods, and people can also get to know and contact us through our new website (www.blend69.com) and Behance (www.behance.net/BlendDesign-Beijing).