Interview with Xinyi Huang and Chenyang Yu

What motivates us to design stems from our shared journey at the University of Pennsylvania's Stuart Weitzman School of Design. Here, our fascination with the interplay between social dynamics and design's influence on public spaces flourished. This mutual interest inspired us to pursue careers in design, where we delve into the intricacies of human-space interaction across different scales. As our curiosity expanded to encompass social science, we recognized design as a powerful avenue for translating our passion into meaningful impact.

We choose to become designers (or forced by our own interest in design to become designers)

Product, furniture, architecture.

While we appreciate the sentiment, we're not design legends yet! However, for aspiring young designers, we believe in the importance of dedication, continuous learning, and embracing curiosity. Building a strong foundation in design principles, exploring diverse perspectives, and actively seeking opportunities to apply creativity and innovation are crucial steps toward making a lasting impact in the field.

Distinguishing between a good designer and a great designer lies in their approach to problem-solving and innovation. A good designer may excel in sharing functional or aesthetic ideas, while a great designer creates original solutions to address societal issues.

We believe in the integration of function and aesthetics as the cornerstone of good design. A successful design is one where both elements are harmoniously combined, each enhancing the other.

A good design not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the environment but also contributes to the efficiency and functionality of society.

The general public

A ski resort

Stay observant.

We drew inspirations from a lot of architects.

Noguchi Lamp

We are proud of all our designs.

For us, design is not just about aesthetics; it's a powerful tool for addressing both existing and unforeseen challenges within spaces, whether public or private. It serves as a direct solution, mitigating problems or bringing them to light. Design, to us, is a celebration of life, harmonizing both form and function to enhance the human experience.

Its functionality

We are co-designers.

We find that creativity often blossoms after engaging in thoughtful conversations and collaborative brainstorms. Additionally, we've noticed that moments of relaxation can spark unexpected bursts of creativity. Whether it's through lively discussion or quiet reflection, we embrace these diverse sources of inspiration to fuel our creative process and bring fresh ideas to life in our designs.

Not at all

Our design team embodies the collaborative creativity and passion for three-dimensional space of Xinyi and Chenyang. Our mission is to explore the potential of geometry and space, unlocking new possibilities for human interaction. Through experimentation and innovation, we strive to create environments that engage and inspire.

For us, design is not just about aesthetics; it's a powerful tool for addressing both existing and unforeseen challenges within spaces, whether public or private. It serves as a direct solution, mitigating problems or bringing them to light. Design, to us, is a celebration of life, harmonizing both form and function to enhance the human experience.

We are passionate about creating designs that prioritize human interaction. Our work is not static; it actively engages with its environment, inviting people to interact with it. We are committed to fostering unique and stimulating interactions between our designs and individuals, enriching the overall experience and fostering a sense of connection and discovery.

Our debut design as a team, Omni outdoor furniture, embodies our deep comprehension of open spaces, adaptable forms, and the requirements of outdoor environments. It reflects our commitment to creating furniture that seamlessly integrates with its surroundings, offering versatility and functionality while enhancing the outdoor experience.

Our current material of choice is durable plastic, engineered to withstand the rigors of outdoor environments without succumbing to weathering or degradation. With the advancement of 3D printing technology, we're exploring exciting possibilities for pushing the boundaries of form and presentation in outdoor furniture design. This innovative approach allows us to create unique, customizable pieces that combine durability with aesthetic appeal, ensuring our designs stand the test of time while making a statement in any outdoor setting.

We find that creativity often blossoms after engaging in thoughtful conversations and collaborative brainstorms. Additionally, we've noticed that moments of relaxation can spark unexpected bursts of creativity. Whether it's through lively discussion or quiet reflection, we embrace these diverse sources of inspiration to fuel our creative process and bring fresh ideas to life in our designs.

Our design philosophy revolves around prioritizing functionality and addressing existing problems. We believe that by focusing on solving practical challenges, the form and aesthetic appearance of our designs naturally emerge. Our process is driven by a commitment to ensuring that our creations not only look good but also serve their intended purpose effectively, resulting in designs that seamlessly marry both form and function.

A mix of contentment and anxiety.

We feel fulfilled, and at the same time motivated to improve more.

A design is successful when it exposes or resolve a certain issues or concerns. A design is also successful when it makes the designer content.

We believe in the integration of function and aesthetics as the cornerstone of good design. A successful design is one where both elements are harmoniously combined, each enhancing the other.

Designers have a responsibility to address social and environmental issues through their work. This responsibility spans various scales, from large-scale urban planning to small, everyday objects. By leveraging our skills and creativity, designers aim to create designs that contribute positively to society and the environment, promoting sustainability and social well-being in every project.

The future of design will involve the integration of advanced technologies with simpler, more streamlined forms. This fusion will enhance functionality while maintaining elegance and simplicity, resulting in designs that are both innovative and accessible.

Our design inspiration draws from the forms of clouds and water, which only stabilize when they meet their purpose. We nurture our creativity by observing and learning from natural forms and creations, allowing the organic beauty and functionality of nature to inform and guide our design process.

Our design style embraces simple forms that address existing issues. Each design prioritizes its primary function while maintaining its geometric integrity. The hallmark of our work is the dynamic interaction between space and people, creating environments that are both functional and engaging.

Living and working in the United States has profoundly influenced our design journey. The fusion of diverse cultures and the freedom to express ourselves have provided us with rich inspiration and the courage to innovate. This environment has nurtured our creativity, allowing us to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of design.

Any designer can excel within a company if they share the same interests and focus. The key criterion for selecting a designer should be the alignment between the designer’s work style and aesthetics and the company’s culture. When these elements click, it fosters a harmonious and productive working relationship, leading to successful and impactful design outcomes.

We started by observing daily lives to find out the need of people, and then go through a research to dive deep into the core of the problem, to nail down the "problem" our design is going to solve and the market that is currently in demand that our design can fill in. The design research process for Omni began during the pandemic, with a primary focus on understanding the evolving needs in the
furniture market. A comprehensive market research study was conducted to identify the specific requirements of the pandemic and postpandemic market. The findings revealed a growing demand for outdoor furniture due to the increased popularity of outdoor activities and a heightened emphasis on comfort and flexibility. Through an extensive study of public spaces, particularly public parks and college campuses, we meticulously examined the diverse activities taking place.Building upon these insights, our research delved into the typical forms and arrangements of public seating, examining the interactions between individuals and public seating, as well as the limitations in functionality and aesthetics commonly associated with such seating. This analysis provided valuable insights that guided our design direction.

Muji Bean Bag, Ikea utility cart, Haworth Chair, Hübsch glassware, Snow Peak Titanium Cup

It's hard to describe a typical day in our lives because each day feels different. It's never exactly the same—unexpected "accidents" happen, and interesting things are discovered daily (especially living in New York and Miami. These cities never fail to surprise us.) But that's the beauty of life.

Although we are still young designers in the field, we will say that experimentation is never wrong.

On the positive side, being designers allows us to see the world differently, appreciating the beauty in the small details of everyday life that often go unnoticed by others. We learn to cherish these little things. However, the downside is the challenge of gaining recognition and the difficulty of selling our work.

Focus on functionality and problem-solving.

Ability to communicate. Communication between needs and design is the most important skill for a designer.

Our tools may vary from project to project, but the most important one for us is the sketchbook. It allows us to record ideas from daily life and facilitates the development of our designs, making it an essential part of our creative process.

We know that during the design process, we might get lost in the design and ignore the time. So time allocation and setting up goals is important during the initial planning period.

The idea generation process took shape around 3 months during pandemic. Then the polishing process took 6 months to a year.

How do you balance functionality and aesthetics in your designs?

Experience at architecture offices. Working at architecture firms allows us to approach furniture design with a unique perspective, integrating architectural principles and enhancing functionality, aesthetics, and spatial harmony in furniture creation.

We enjoy furniture, product, and architectural design. It's fascinating to switch from designing a large-scale building to focusing on a lamp, as they often complement each other. This dynamic approach allows us to see designs more holistically and find balance between these disciplines.

As designers, we strive to stay open-minded to opportunities we encounter in daily life, that is to say we plan to pursue furniture and product design along with architectural and interior design. Our focus will remain on producing genuine designs characterized by originality, creativity, functionality, sustainability and aesthetics.

We work as a team and also develop individual projects.

instagram @janechyy @xiiiiiiinyih

More design ideas in the oven. Feel free to reach out if you're interested!