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YunFen Wang

United States of AmericaFine Art

Interviews with YunFen Wang

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

Designer Profile

Designer of the Day Interview

10 questions

I was born in Taiwan and started learning to draw and paint in the studio at the age 13. Since then painting and drawing has become a part of my life and I dream of becoming an artist.

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

I was born in Taiwan and started learning to draw and paint in the studio at the age 13. Since then painting and drawing has become a part of my life and I dream of becoming an artist. After graduating from the Fine Arts Department of Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, I became curious about how artists can produce works under the influence of different environments, so I came to San Francisco, Academy of Art University to study and graduate in 2021.

How did you become a designer?

I want to be an artist because I find the impact of painting more attractive than words. In thousand of years of art, we can find how art in different eras and environments reflect the artist's state mind, which makes me want to try what kind of art I can provide the public in today's society.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

To start a work, the most important thing must be the subject matter. I like to find the subject matter from life, because no matter what, it is inseparable from life. After researching a specific theme, I sketch it out on paper and study the composition as well as the color arrangement.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

It's like a process of releasing pressure, very relaxing.

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

Since I was a child, I liked drawing very much. If there is not enough paper, I would just put it on the wall or on the table, which gave my parents a headache. However, I also found out that I am very patient when drawing picture. I think that 's when I developed a passion for art.

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

Enjoy, and enjoy. Some works could be going smooth and fast, sometime could be challenging and requiring a lot of time and research, but you must learn to enjoy in the process, maintain enthusiasm and patience.

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

No matter what you're doing, don't stop it and don't be afraid to make mistakes.

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

First, it should be given to what effect the design or art work can bring, and what it can offer the viewer.

Who is your favourite designer?

YiLan Liu is a Taiwanese artist, and her works have inspired me a lot. In her work you can feel the richness and subtlety of emotion, which also influences the way I interpret my work.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A' Design Award?

For a professional award like A'Design, I was happy to be able to attend and honored to win bronze award. It makes me feel encouraged and warm, also gives me more energy for the next challenge.

Design Interview

Interpreting Discomfort Oil Paint · 20 questions

I like to find inspiration in my life, it can be recent events or my feelings. I like to convey feelings to viewers through my works, so as to achieve the function of communication and resonate.

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

I like to find inspiration in my life, it can be recent events or my feelings. I like to convey feelings to viewers through my works, so as to achieve the function of communication and resonate.

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

This work explores the invisible pressure of life and how they are formed. The work uses the unusual combination of hands and eyes, making people feel uncomfortable is exactly what I want to convey.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

I will continue to explore and research this topic, maybe through different methods or media to add more depth to the work.

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

There are currently ten works in this series, and it took a year from the idea to these ten works.

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

This work has a lot to do with me personally. I am a sensitive person and easily feel pressured by other glances or actions. Sharing these thoughts is also a process for me to relieve stress.

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?

If there is any opportunity to cooperate in any form, I would very much welcome.

What made you design this particular type of work?

This series of works is presented in a surreal way. After many discussions and designs, I feel that the surreal way of presentation can maximize the tension of the picture and attract the viewer's eyes.

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

YiLan Liu is a Taiwanese artist, and her works have inspired me a lot. In her work you can feel the richness and subtlety of emotion, which also influences the way I interpret my work.

Who is the target customer for his design?

Interested collectors.

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

In this work, I combined my own cultural background and living environment, and it is a work that is difficult to reproduce.

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

The name is really a difficult question, and it bothered me a lot in the early stage of creation. When I understand how my pressure is formed, I also reinterpret this pressure in the work, so the name "Interpreting Discomfort" is very intuitive to me and fits my work well.

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

Oil paint.

What is the most unique aspect of your design?

The hand and the eye are inspired by the Thousand-Handed Avalokitesvara, the story of Avalokitesvara is teaches people to love and care, but too much attention is a trouble for a shy person like me.

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

I develop my projects on my own.

What is the role of technology in this particular design?

Technology is important in this design. In order to avoid unnecessary association during viewing, the accuracy of hands and eyes is required.

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

In the early stage of the creation, in addition to my own ideas, I also collected the uncomfortable feelings of many people around me. In addition to the presentation of pictures, color is also a main research direction.

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

The technical aspect is a challenge, in order to make the work look more realistic, I practiced hundreds of hands. And then thinking about how can this idea resonate with the audience.

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

I want to share my work with more people, but also to tell people who feel in the same way that they are not alone.

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

Practice and not be afraid to make mistakes.

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

No, thank you.

Designer Interview

35 questions

I studied painting and drawing as a major at Academy of Art University and graduated in 2021. Since childhood, I have liked to use pictures as a method of expression, and always have wanted to be a designer or an artist.

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 studied painting and drawing as a major at Academy of Art University and graduated in 2021. Since childhood, I have liked to use pictures as a method of expression, and always have wanted to be a designer or an artist.

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

I work by myself as a freelance painter. I mainly find the themes through my own observation of environment, and convey my views through my works.

What is "design" for you?

Design and art are a medium of communication for me, I like to connect with people through my work.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

Most of my works are based on surrealist oil painting.

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

My favorite piece is Interpreting Discomfort series. In this series of works, I shared my own experience in life. However, I didn't expect that I was not the only one facing this feeling. This work has created an unimaginable connection and resonance with others.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

Oil paint/ Facebook and Instagram

When do you feel the most creative?

When I saw the many other artworks of different artist.

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

Every time I do I look for themes in my life, maybe my feelings, or interesting discoveries in daily life.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

It's like a process of releasing pressure, very relaxing.

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

It feel like I solved a problem and got a sense of accomplishment.

What makes a design successful?

Something related to the human.

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

First, it should be given to what effect the design or art work can bring, and what it can offer the viewer.

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

Every design or artwork is made for human society, so it should be able to cause discussion and find answers.

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

I think it's going to the direction of being more convenient for humans. In my case, I want to create more new things that you haven't seen or thought about.

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

My last exhibition was in San Francisco Women Artist Gallery. The next exhibition will be in September this year at CICA Museum in Korea.

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

It comes out from all kinds of media. movies, games, music video, etc.

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 like to present my work in sample and direct way, so people can clearly feel what I want to express.

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 was born in Taiwan and currently live in the US. My works are influenced by Taiwanese culture and the American environment, which allows me to come up with more different viewpoints.

How do you work with companies?

I mainly work on my own.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

1. sketching for the proper layouts 2. color practice for the work 3. makes detail for more goes with the concept.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

My cat, I-phone, paint brush, canvas and TV.

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

Everyone can be a designer or artist, just find your own way and stick to it.

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

Being a designer or artist is not only you make create something new but It help other people. Negatives are you are becoming more sensitive person.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Find what interests you and enjoy the creative process.

What skills are most important for a designer?

To be open-minded and learn from the mistakes of the past.

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

I usually use oil paint. And my tool box is usually filled with various photos, movies and all kind of books.

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

To make daily schedule every day and to try to keep it punctually.

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

It takes about three to four weeks, depends on the size of the work.

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

Where did you get this idea?

Who are some of your clients?

Mostly individual collectors.

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

Surrealist painting. Because they make me feel like I am looking at a completely different world than others.

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

I plan to try to combine different media in my works to develop more attractive paintings.

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

I usually develop my projects on my own.

How can people contact you?

Please send me an email: wyfen18@gmail.com

or you can also contact me by Instagram: yunfen_fine_artist

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

Nope, thank you.

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The design interview data shown in our design interview page with YunFen Wang regarding Interpreting Discomfort Oil Paint comes from the Design Interviews platform, where leading designers, architects and brands are interviewed regarding their award-winning designs, products and projects.