Interview with Kaijie Chen
Kaijie Chen, a surface & visual designer living in the US, was born in Shanghai in 1991. She pushes her works to make a real impression by solving a problem from multiple perspectives and in ways…
Designer of the Day Interview
19 March 2018
I was born in Shanghai where is still rapidly changing and contains both historical and futuramic vibes. I graduated with aB.S. in Textile Engineering & Designand taught Textile Design and Styling courses as a lecturer afterwards. While pursuing M.S. in Surface Imaging, I pushed my works to make a real impression by solving a problem from multiple perspectives and in ways previously unimaginable, not only reconciling different materials with innovative technologies, also blending art, craft, science, business savvy, and an astute understanding of customers and markets.I'm currently living in NY. As a surface & visual designer with diverse backgrounds, I develop concepts and designs forcolor, textile, wallpaper,flooring, furniture, product,packaging, visual merchandising and showroom.
My father was a architect. I have many sweet memories of doing projects with him together. I think I never decided to become a designer. Whereas, it just happened naturally as it has been already in my life for so long.
Concept usually comes first and I'm quite a digital heavy person, however I'm also a big fans making with my hands. Thus my style is mixed with digital design and material manipulations.
I feel purely pleasant when I am designing as I'm eager to learn new things and try to find new elements for existing stuffs.
My engineer background helps a lot for me as a designer, thus I have a more broaden and comprehensive view while I'm creating works.
I wish I would have even broaden platform to collaborate with artists and designers from all kinds of background.
Keep trying when you feel lost because it's the only way you could find out if you like it, good at it or not.
Try your best to explore life, thus you will get much more broaden inspiration and understanding from different resources.
I usually go to see a movie or hop into galleries and museums if I could.
My personal time is quite fragmented. I don't usually have time for reading, but I enjoy chatting with friends and went to art talk and movies. Like last month I just went to a night of philosophy in Brooklyn Public Library.
It really depends on case to case. Before designing a product or project, you must to take time to understand the purpose and target customers.
To let design "sit" a while, then go back to review it.
I started as an textile engineer and designer, thus after I shifted to surface design, I was still in love with materials and cutting edge technologies. I had a “Neo Skin” series which contained 3 different collections: “Nature Force”, “Haptics” and “Living Skin” while I was exploring unimaginable and bespoke in/exterior architecture products by integrating digital media, materials and technologies.
It's hard to pick a favorite designer as I love amazing designers and artist from all aspect. I like visual artist James Jean, avant garde fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, Installation artist Olafur Eliasson and so many other outstanding artists
My designs usually influenced by Japanese design vibe and my own whimsical and creative thoughts.
I work very well while alone since I have more control about timeline. I'm also enjoy working with other talents which usually emerges more intriguing ideas and brings more diverse resources. Especially transdisciplinary design approach allows me to collaborate and help companies build creative products and culture.
I am always fascinating about the story behind the design, blend design and art, thinking about phylosophy and psychology. I want to make good designs not only for practical purpose. To create an ambience, more accurately, to capture and reveal something which is created by human being ourself however not usually self aware.
Attending the A' Design award would let more people to see my designs which is very important to me because design is not a unidirectional activity. I need more feedback from different audience which helps me reaudit my works.
Design Legend Interview
19 March 2018
I was born in Shanghai where is still rapidly changing and contains both historical and futuramic vibes. I graduated with a B.S. in Textile Engineering & Design and taught Textile Design and Styling courses as a lecturer afterwards. While pursuing M.S. in Surface Imaging, I pushed my works to make a real impression by solving a problem from multiple perspectives and in ways previously unimaginable, not only reconciling different materials with innovative technologies, also blending art, craft, science, business savvy, and an astute understanding of customers and markets. I'm currently living in NY. As a surface & visual designer with diverse backgrounds, I develop concepts and designs for color, textile, wallpaper, flooring, furniture, product, packaging, visual merchandising and showroom. Transdisciplinary design approach allows me to collaborate and help companies build creative products and culture.
I am always fascinating about the story behind the design, blend design and art, thinking about phylosophy and psychology. I want to make good designs not only for practical purpose. To create an ambience, more accurately, to capture and reveal something which is created by human being ourself however not usually self aware.
My father was a architect. I have many sweet memories of doing projects with him together. I think I never decided to become a designer. Whereas, it just happened naturally as it has been already in my life for so long.
Try your best to explore life, thus you will get much more broaden inspiration and understanding from different resources. Keep trying when you feel lost because it's the only way you could find out if you like it, good at it or not.
It really depends on case to case. Before designing a product or project, you must to take time to understand the purpose and target customers.
Problem-solving. That is also the most challenging and enjoyable part to me.
It's hard to pick a favorite designer as I love amazing designers and artist from all aspect. I like visual artist James Jean, avant garde fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, Installation artist Olafur Eliasson and so many other outstanding artists
Unusual Beauty Print won the Bronze A' Design Award in Graphics and Visual Communication Design Category, 2016 - 2017. It was inspired by the crazy and beautiful side of mental disorders to encouraging and inspiring people to optimistically see what had been passively seen.
Using design language properly to convey a concept or provide a better solution, from improving a tool, to macroscopically, everyone could access the tool equally.
My engineer background helps a lot for me as a designer, thus I have a more broaden and comprehensive view while I'm creating works.
Transdiciplinary Design is the future.
It depends. But none of them are realized at the first time. There's always coming back and forth. Especially when you are working with some other field talents, both of you would realize the limitations and possibilities on the other side later.
Concept usually comes first and I'm quite a digital heavy person, however I'm also a big fans making with my hands. Thus my style is mixed with digital design and material manipulations.
It definitely has risen in a spiral.
I love motion graphics, also always being excited to explore different materials and new technologies. I usually combine visual and physical elements in ways previously unimaginable.
I probably will have stendhal syndrome, being speechless and gasping with admiration. Then try to figure out where it comes from, how does it work out...
I always wanna be a designer. Even now, every time the designs are realized, I still feel like a child find a beautiful sea nail on the beach.
Designer Interview
12 July 2018
I was born in Shanghai where is still rapidly changing and contains both historical and futuramic vibes. I graduated with aB.S. inTextile Engineering & Designand taughtTextileDesignandStyling courses as a lecturer afterwards.While pursuingM.S. in Surface Imaging, I pushedmy works to make a real impression by solving a problem from multiple perspectives and in ways previously unimaginable, not only reconciling different materials with innovative technologies, also blending art, craft, science, business savvy, and an astute understanding of customers and markets.I'm currently living in NY. As a surface & visual designer with diverse backgrounds, I developconcepts anddesigns forcolor, textile, wallpaper,flooring, furniture, product,packaging, visual merchandising and showroom.
KAIJIE CHEN is a studio that designs and fabricates bespoke products for architects and interior designers by integrating digital media, materials and technologies, also provides solution for our clients on creating unique in/exterior products by leveraging their new materials and technologies. Our goal is to advance your living experience in ways previously unimaginable.
Using design language properly to convey a concept or provide a better solution, from improving a tool, to macroscopically, everyone could access the tool equally.
I love motion graphics, also always being excited to explore different materials and new technologies. I usually combine visual and physical elements in ways previously unimaginable.
Definitely branding research.
According to the customer, how to visualize the concept to final design or product properly.
Excited and anxious.
Always feel like a child find a beautiful sea nail on the beach.
It really depends on case to case. Before designing a product or project, you must to take time to understand the purpose and target customers.
I am a visual person. An aesthetic design would be more likely to attract audiences. Then people would look into more details.
Transdiciplinary Design is the future.
Everywhere. Because you never know something you just had a glimpse would give you unexpected idea later.
My designs usually influenced by Japanese design vibe and my own whimsical and creative thoughts. I started as an textile engineer and designer, thus after I shifted to surface design, I was still in love with materials and cutting edge technologies. I had a “Neo Skin” series which contained 3 different collections: “Nature Force”, “Haptics” and “Living Skin” while I was exploring unimaginable and bespoke in/exterior architecture products by integrating digital media, materials and technologies.
Concept usually comes first and I'm quite a digital heavy person, however I'm also a big fans making with my hands. Thus my style is mixed with digital design and material manipulations.
Try your best to explore life, thus you will get much more broaden inspiration and understanding from different resources. Keep trying when you feel lost because it's the only way you could find out if you like it, good at it or not.
Problem-solving. That is also the most challenging and enjoyable part to me.
It depends. But none of them are realized at the first time. There's always coming back and forth. Especially when you are working with some other field talents, both of you would realize the limitations and possibilities on the other side later.
I am always fascinating about the story behind the design, blend design and art, thinking about philosophy and psychology. I want to make good designs not only for practical purpose. To create an ambience, more accurately, to capture and reveal something which is created by human being ourself however not usually self aware.
I wish I would have even broaden platform to collaborate with artists and designers from all kinds of background.
I work very well while alone since I have more control about timeline. I'm also enjoy working with other talents which usually emerges more intriguing ideas and brings more diverse resources. Especially transdisciplinary design approach allows me to collaborate and help companies build creative products and culture.
storyteller.kjc@gmail.com