Interview with Jiaxing Guo
Sean Jiaxing Guo is a multidisciplinary designer and artist based in Los Angeles, CA. He received his BS in Product Design and BEng in Petroleum Engineering.
Designer of the Day Interview
5 July 2024
I've been a industrial designer for about eight years. In China, I've worked on Beijing Design Week for two years, then I came to Los Angeles, started my career as a designer in the US. In here, I've worked with some well-knowned clients such as Kelly Wearstler and WGSN.
I was studying engineering before I even heard of design. After graduated, I got a job as a industrial designer in a maker lab, mainly working with 3D printers. After three years I decided to study design more systematically to valid my design process. And that was why I came to Los Angeles to study product design.
Technique and style are both important to me. The top three aspects of my design process are concept, excecution and presentation. For all my projects, the particular important part is a good presentation. For digital tools/techs or hands, I need them both because I do digital renders as well as the physical models sicne they have different purposes. For a new project, I would start with the brief.
The most exciting part for myself is to figuring out the perfect concept and solution. I like the feeling that I sketched out the forms I like or satisfied. During the execution process, sometimes I feel a bit tired. But I would be energized when I finish the process.
Apart from my design degree, I also have en engineering degree, which is extremly helpful when I design the product. My engineering background really gives me a unique perspective when I look into design problems.
Currenly I'm still at my early stage of my design career. I don't' really have a clear future plan. Let's just see how it goes! My dream design project would be a shelter for everyone!
Be brave. Don't be afraid to break the rules (but make sure you aware of teh rules). Also remember to learn everyday. The design world changes so fast and we need to keep an eye on it.
Everyone has their unique skills. You don't have to be like some else. As a professional creative individual, it is important to find your own/unique position and perspective.
Well...I always try not to mix my work with my life. We need a normal life to experience. I have some daily reading list before I start my design work, just to warm up. If you get bored...grab a drink you like!
I have some daily reading list before I start my design work, in order to know what's happening in the design world. Trends do matter, but I try not to follow them because I need to follow my own design language. To me, trends are more like research, just to know what people are seeing now.
I don't have a specific criteria for a well designed project. Normally when I feel some thing it's well designed, there is a vibe on that project. But well designed doesn't mean it's a good design. Good design requires the interaction with the audiences.
If you have time or resources, you can always improve or iterate a design. A good designer should know how to stop the process. For me, It's always about deadlines. Deadlines make successful projects.
My biggest design work is Silver Siren Speaker. Since the whole product is hand-made- it realy took me a lot of time to make everything perfectly excecuted. It brought me some design recgonition and exhibition. Currently, I'm making it into a collection that shares the same concept.
My favourite designer is Philippe Starck and my favourite peice by him is Alessi Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer. I really like his style and design philosophy.
I live in Los Angeles so I would say LA is currently my inspiring city. Art is part of my creative process. Sculptures, painting...they are all connected to my design philosophy.
Normally I prefer work along...but I do like collaborate with other people, which would benefit the project, also I can learn from others.
I would not consider pro bono design work because designers should be paid for their contribution. But good design would make impact for the society.
I feel really good being part of the A' Design Award community. I have more chance to show my work to the industry and I got more recognitions.
Interview about Silver Siren Speaker Design Interview
Design Legend Interview
4 July 2024
I was studying engineering before I even heard of design. After graduated, I got a job as a industrial designer in a maker lab, mainly working with 3D printers. After three years I decided to study design more systematically to valid my design process. And that was why I came to Los Angeles to study product design.
My desire of creating. I think being a designer is great way for me to execute my creative skills.
I chose to become a designer. I came across industrial design after I graduated. It was a book by Naoto Fukasawa.
For the most of my time now, I design shoes, either functional sneakers and casual shoes. For the rest of my time, I also design furniture and lighting. I with I could design some pop-up spaces.
Be brave. Don’t afraid to break the rules.
A good designer designs objects. A great designer designs experiences.
There is a sweet spot……It’s really hard to tell. Although every designer has their own criteria, but when you know it, you know it.
Good design makes impact. Actually I don’t think everyone should invest in good design. Just like a stock, if everyone should or could invest it, something bad would happen.
I would design cups, purely for drinking. And I would design for my cats.
It would be a shelter for everyone.
“Only one step forward.”
The first one was Naoto Fukasawa. I study product design because of him. Also Philippe Starck. I like his style.
Alessi Juicy Salif Citrus Squeezer by Philippe Starck. It's not functional at all but nobody cares lol.
My Silver Siren Speaker design. I think it is a great representation of the concept of form+function.
Talk to other people. Know more about people's life.
Probably a singer. I like singing and I can sing pretty good.
Design is creating experience for people. To me, it's a way for me to talk to my audience.
My family.
Curiosity and empathetic.
I was studying engineering before I became a designer. There were basically two differen mindsets whick took me a while to transfer to one from another.
Good design needs great presentaion. But great design doesn't.
It will be a collection of "normal" daily objects. Should be boring and fun at the same time.
To be a better person.
People want good design and they don't need to know who's behind it.
Design creates good experience for people. And the experience of people decides if it's a better society.
I'm working on my 3D printing footwear. It's the future of footwear design.
My Silver Siren Speaker project. It was hand-made by myself and the most annoying and satisfying part was sanding. It was like medication.
I wish designes could make more money.
The times are various based on the complexity of the projects. Could be days or years.
I would start talking to my clients or users. I'd like to know what they really need on the products.
"Be brave."
For the most of the cases, trends set the designs. For other cases, great designs set trends.
Teh technology would be an essential aspect when I design. Either for the design itself, or the excecution of the design process.
I use my desktop and laptop. For the most of my work, I need to do 3D. So I use Blender/Keyshot/Rhino for the most of the time.
If design is a person, the basic design is the body. The CMF and ambient creates the personalities.
I want peopel talk more about their own feelings that I or my design brought, instead my design.
WOW! How did she/he design it?
I don't know yet...to be honest I don;t believe in co-design. I believe in collabration thought but not co-design.
My peers from my design school. They inspired me a lot.
It's a book that shows the portfolio of Naoto Fukasawa. This book brought design to me.
I need to learn every day. Especially for my 3D skills because they are new things come out everyday.
Philippe Starck. He doesn't speak English and I cannot speak French. I just want to see what would happen if I meet him.
It's really hard because it takes time and effort.
Green/My car/Pizza/Winter/music/Coca-Cola!
Sometimes your clients could be too much dominat. Once I designed a logo for a start-up brand, during the design process, basiclly my client was making all the font choices.
The right answer is I have a new design coming. The wrong answer is a new payment from my client.
Not at all. I had no idea what design is when I was little.
For the most of our things, the future would be reletively the same as what we have now.
I also do art! I paint, and I sculpt.
Designer Interview
11 December 2022
My first degree was a bachelor of engineering, so I have the training in science and technology. After I graduated from the first university, I realized I have a strong sense of self-expression. Because I was not a really good talker, so I thought design could be a great tool for me to achieve something from my perspective.
So I started working as a 3D prototyper for a design company. I worked in the maker lab with other designers, engineers, to **build prototypes.** After 2 years, I realized I need to know more about design systematically to be a “legit” designer, and that’s why I came to LA, to study industrial design.
So I started working as a 3D prototyper for a design company. I worked in the maker lab with other designers, engineers, to **build prototypes.** After 2 years, I realized I need to know more about design systematically to be a “legit” designer, and that’s why I came to LA, to study industrial design.
Now I’m freelancing in LA. I’ve worked in product design studios, interior design studios, and fabrication labs and developed innovative approaches and experiences at the intersection of industrial design, technology, and fashion.
It’s a tool, a language, or a way of processing the world.
I’m focusing on digital creation and product design.
Probably the Tŷ Nant water bottle by Rose Lovegrove. It just good and beautiful.
It was a product for scooters. I’m glad they made the real prototype.
Human Skin.
It’s pretty random.
The concept and the execution.
It’s hard to say. Depends on what kind of product I’m working on.
Energized.
The concept.
I think as human, we all have the same responsibilities for society and environment.
The process of achieve a thing could be seen as the process of designing. The definition of design is getting more vague.
It was at my gradshow in LA.
I get most inspirations from nature.
I would say irrational and emotional. I don’t want to be a designer who can only solve problems.
LA, California, but I’m from China. I don’t really feel the cultural heritage, maybe because of my design education.
Communication.
Better communication and trust. They cannot select, because they have to try.
A Good design process includes 4 steps, critical thinking, attention to detail, and visual communication, execution. I think I have the ability to see the bigger picture, while not losing sight of the details. I can create and deliver a concept at a certain level while also understanding the execution difficulties from an engineering perspective.
My adidas OZELIA shoe, my Yeezy Gap hoodie, a book by Jeff Staple, iPhone SE, and toilet paper.
I don’t have a typical day that I can describe.
Be bold, be crazy, be patient.
+: be able to design. -: Sometimes you have to listen to someone else.
Detail, detail, and detail.
Visualization
I use my mind to find the right tools. There is no specific one.
I would some time management tools, and a to-do list.
It depends.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It is right now, which is being a freelancer.
Kelly Wearstler, Simplifyber, Crosby Studios…
Projects that I can make decisions.
Getting more projects. Go big.
Mostly by myself.
I’m designing some digital clothing.
My website: https://seans.works/