Interview with Nancy Zhang

Being a designer/creator wasn’t a big decision but a natural heritage from my family, both of my parents used to be designers. Ever since I was a little child, I started to read my father’s textile pattern book references as the children’s book. And these memories are in my blood no matter which path I would choose.

First priority is the concept, which information want to deliver to the costumers, would it be helpful for people?
Styles and techniques are equally important, new techniques could make some style ideas become true or make it easier. I accept all kinds of new technology, Techniques are like grammars for speaking, style is like how you speak, but most importantly is what you want to say.

Designing is a new meditation for me. Usually I was quite focused while I was creating, detached from the reality.

My major used to be animation making in the academy. animation film making, painting, illustrating…all these experiences helped me to understand what design really is. Design is a way to combine art and our daily lives together. Design contents endless knowledges, my exploring journey of design is still at the beginning .

As I mentioned above I comes from a designer family. Despite my parents, almost all the other family members could paint well also although some of them chose other occupations. They have influenced my aesthetics and always push me to be a better creator.

Emotional stability is important. Design is a team work, we need to communicate with each other a lot to achieve the same goal. I still remembered what my colleague said to me many years ago, “ We have to keep a calm, professional attitude to deal with changes. “

I always believe that people’s creativity comes from the personal experiences. Usually I won’t give any specific advice because people could only learn things properly from the mistakes. Enrich the life experience is the key to be creative, that’s all I want to say.

A simple day started from a cup of coffee in the morning then working(meeting/writing/drawing/etc). I do follow up the industry news during my spare time. I only feel excited when I deal with some challenging projects that I never came across before.

I am the person who doesn’t care about the trend much, no matter which kind of trends. As a Designer we need to learn from the past , also think more about what the future needs.

A good design’s definition could be judged subjectively. Personally I think the “details” is the most decisive standard. It doesn’t mean the appearance decoration details, but the structure of concept, efforts of the functionality, accuracy of techniques, all these little things built up a good design.

I don’t think a designer should focus on the product success too much while we were working on the progress. We should think from a creator and others(reader/audience/customers/clients )perspectives, whether we like it or not. If the results could make both sides satisfied, then it’s ready.

The most significant project to me is my latest 3 projects: “ Encounters” , “ Lightseeker” and “60 Days”. The first one is connected with my personal memories, the second is connected with my principals and the third one is connected with my identity and culture background.

Anni Albers. Also I would like to talk with her if she’s still alive.

From my opinion every city has their own history and charms, it’s not comparable. Ever since I was a child, I have been obsessed with original ancient cultures a lot (My dream used to be a historian). For example as a Chinese artist who’s based in Germany, my current project is inspired by Chinese ancient philosophies, which presents a dynamic, harmony perspective between the nature and human societies.

Collaborations built the human society. Although I work as an individual creator, we could not finish a entire work without the collaborations from other procedures. Working with many different professional collages means you need to understand other people’s perspectives as well then make your own decisions. It could be quite challenging but we all have to balance it.

As an artist, I would like to be a “ Lightseeker”, keep seeking for lights and deliver lights through my works. “Light” is a heritage, we took the torch from the last generation, we will bring it to the next generation also.

Getting to know so many talented designers from different industries was the most positive experiences. It’s also a great chance to follow up the contemporary worldwide creative topics. International design competition is not only a good stage for global designers showing their talents, but also maintain the global connections under this big era.

For me being a designer is not really a big choice but a heritage thing from my family. Design is one of my ways to express my ideas.

In fact my parents expected me to do something else instead. Yet I still decided to be a creator because I feel like I was born for this.

Concept art design for film, illustration design for publications and textile design for fashion. I love doing all kinds of visual things, they are just not comparable.

Be confident and don’t be scared to make mistakes or face to the failure.

I think it’s the experiences and perspectives.

I think “ details “ are the most decisive standard. It doesn’t mean the design’s appearance decoration details, more like something invisible but you could tell when you touch it: the structures of concept, the accuracy of the shape & texture, the creativity you expressed…..all these things you couldn’t see it directly, but you could feel it when you see it.

A good design is timeless, investing a good design not only makes your lifestyle better but also enriched our aesthetic experiences.

I have achieved what I want to design for the people I love(my family) by illustrations and textiles. Every book I made and every design I made are all paid tribute to them.

Actually I don’t really have dream project but the project I expected to participate in future if there’s chances. One is the stage art designs, the other is the game design.

I am the cook who have very simple recipes and cook very simple dishes. There’s no secret ingredient, I was just concentrated on foods a lot and enjoy cooking so much.

Anni Albers and Joseph Albers I love their colorful geometric designs.

Nature itself is the most incredible design, the beauty and accuracy of each creatures are just flawless.

Personally I don’t think I have the greatest works but the most significant works that I put a lot of efforts in : my personal illustration project” Encounters” ,” Lightseeker” and “ 60 days” , some of them are like personal memories sharing, some content my principles.

Not get influenced by the trends so much and focus on what you want to create.

If I hadn’t become a creator I would probably choose my childhood dream to be a historian.

Design is tangible art.

I appreciate all the people who cares about and push me to become a better self.

Maybe it’s timing because I think I am still a emerging designer.

I think most of the obstacles come from within. As a creator, we have to honestly face to our egos, ambitions and concerns.

Nowadays social medias provide big stage for everyone to present themselves, for designers and artists also.

As Illustrator and graphic designer, my new project still focused on publications the most, the new book “60 days” will be released next year, also my new season textile collaboration with Johnstons of Elgins are coming soon on December as well.

There’s no specific ultimate goal for me because I believe the goals will change when people achieve on the different stage. However, bringing lights and beauty of creations are the thing I would do for my life time.

Usually people expect designer or creator provide them a clearer projection to see the true self.

Creativity is the best gifts, no matter which forms of art creations, they all help people create a better society.

I just finished my new project last month, recently started to sketch in my head a new project with stories.

There’s no most satisfaction so far, the most significants are 3 of my personal visual projects:”Encounter”, “Lightseeker” and “60 Days”.

Unknown changes is my expectation.

Cyberspace.

Depends on whether the collaboration, manufacturing and shipping going well.

Concept is the basic and also the most important. I would spend more time to make my concept structure comprehensive and then creating will be much easier.

My life motto is being a good creator, design is just one of the ways.

Design set the aesthetic trends, but technology trends push design forward.

Design results is my story and technology is the grammar to help me express my words clearer.

The most basic software and drawing tools just like others have.

If you look at a design as a actual person, material is the bones and skin, color is the personality, ambient is the outfits.

They could ask everything they want.

It comes out sparklingly.

It depends on how you define the word” co-design”. Collaboration built the society, we still need people from different fields helps although we could finish one certain procedure alone. An ideal partner should be professional, experienced,, responsible and understandable.

My parents, they have been influencing my aesthetic ever since I was born I guess.

Poems and theories, the most emotional and the most rational,

Developing and learning is a life time journey and also I am far from a master currently.

Gilgamesh, if he did exist in history.

Everyone could get famous shortly nowadays because of the social medias. I am more focused on how to become a better myself as a creator.

Red,Ocean,Well made foods,Summer,traveling.

There are too much lovely and unforgettable memories to share so that I wrote & illustrated a book project called “ Encounters” .

Despite working time, my favorite moments is doing sport and spending time with friends no matter doing sports or traveling.

My childhood dream used to be a historian and discover the ancient ruins. I always thought my parents were such talented designer and I won’t be as good as them, actually I still think they are more skillful even nowadays although they retired long time ago.

Either we live in the other dimensions or we moved to other planets.

Let’s seek lights together.

I have a personal art studio combines the visual art projects and design projects together.

Tangible art pieces.

Graphics & Textiles.

So far my most favorite design is about my upcoming illustration book “60 Days” , from the concept making, researching, illustration drawing, writing and actual book design, I have put the most effort in it.

Character designs for film making.

From my personal opinion, the classic natural materials are always the most sustainable and stable.

Usually after I had a unforgettable dream in the morning time.

Detached from the reality world.

Usually very calm and I would be slightly happier if the results came out better than I imagined.

Timing, society needs and creativity.

The concept of a design.

How to make the products in a sustainable way or how to use the graphics to deliver questions to the people.

The design field evolving rely on the society circumstance changes and technology developing. People’s creativity has no time or progress limits.

My latest design collaboration works was shortly exhibited by A design award and I was really honored. So far I am focusing on finish my new publication.

Everything in the world could feed my creativity especially natural phenomenons. It could be my dream, a sparking of conversation or a piece of snow flake.

Colorful, minimal and joyful. I would like to share this emotional connections with the costumers through these design works.

Currently I am based in Berlin as an artist. Indeed my drawing style was slightly get influenced by Bauhaus aesthetics.

Generally I take offers from clients and work remotely recent years.

It depends on which goal the company wants to achieve and what kinds of customers they are looking for. Designer and the company is partnership, matching is the most important thing.

Concept, researching, sketching, discussion the availability with team and make samples, going to manufacture progress after everything confirmed.

The whole apartment interior arrangements, blankets, basket vase, lamp and my chairs.

A simple day started from a cup of coffee then focusing on the working list I have to do. I prefer late afternoon or evening time during the week because I could relax and have fun with the people.

No suggestion generally, everyone’s character are different and what they need are also different, Youth supposed to be passionate, idealistic and make many mistakes then everything will work out.

There’s no specific positives or negatives in any kind of field from my opinion. Everything changes all the time base on the environment and society changes.

Maintain the emotion and creativity, that’s the only advantage of human.

Open mindedness.

Either classic drawing tools or digital.

Use the time when I am on the way. I bring my notebooks and sketch book with my all the time.

It depends on each specific project, it could take years, also could take months.

How did you draw this and which kind of tool you use. I simply don’t like these kind of technical questions because I think the basic concept is far more important than making progress.

My life experience.

Because all the clients are important and respectful, so it not fair if I only choose few to write.

It used to be fashion design of course but nowadays I am also very much into architecture designs.

Plans always change so I keep it quietly.

Yes we do collaborate as a team remotely.

My new book’s cover design and the chapter arrangements.

info@nancy-zhang.com

I think these questions almost covered everything I would like to talk about. Thank you for everything. In the end I hope my new works could meet everyone soon.