Interview with Xinyun Li

To me, design is a response. It begins with understanding real conditions and human needs, and then using our knowledge, creativity, and research to find a thoughtful way to respond to them. I see design not simply as creating a form, but as a process of understanding a problem deeply and finding the most meaningful way to address it.

I don’t have one particular type of design that I prefer. I believe every project has its own unique qualities, and its character should grow naturally from the site, context, and specific conditions that shape it. That uniqueness is what makes each design process interesting to me.

The first project I worked on professionally was the design of a large-scale shopping mall. It was my first opportunity to experience how architectural ideas are developed within the complexity of a real commercial project.

I feel most creative when I am relaxed and able to mentally place myself inside a space. Some of my best ideas come when I am walking, taking a shower, or simply letting my mind wander. In those moments, I imagine myself actually experiencing the space—how I would move through it, how it would feel, and what I would want or need from it. Once I begin to experience a design from the inside rather than just looking at it as a plan or an image, ideas tend to emerge much more naturally.

I pay particular attention to how people experience and use a space. Human experience is always central to architecture. At the same time, I consider how a project responds to its site and urban context, and whether it can reflect the cultural value or unique character of a place. These qualities, however, also need to work within the practical needs and realities of the project.

Designing often begins with a sense of excitement for me. I enjoy gathering different pieces of information, impressions, and ideas, and gradually seeing them come together into something tangible. Of course, there are also moments when the process gets stuck. I can become quite restless, turning the problem over and over in my mind and trying different possibilities. But that is also part of what makes design rewarding. When, through that process of testing and refining, I finally arrive at a solution that feels both right for the project and satisfying to me, there is a very deep sense of fulfillment.

I believe a good design is ultimately one that people genuinely like and connect with. It does not have to impress everyone in the same way, but it should create a positive experience for the people who use it. For me, success is not only about how a design looks or how clever the concept is. If people enjoy being in the space, feel comfortable using it, and find that it makes their lives better in some way, then I think the design has succeeded.

One of the first things I consider is whether the design makes people’s experience easier or more difficult. A good design should support the way people use a space rather than create unnecessary obstacles.

Architecture has a direct and lasting impact on people’s everyday lives. The spaces we create influence not only how people live, work, and interact, but also how they feel and experience their communities. In that sense, architecture has both a functional and a broader social and emotional impact.

At the same time, buildings exist at a significant scale and require substantial resources to construct and operate, so every architectural decision also carries environmental consequences. I believe architects therefore have a responsibility to think beyond the immediate design problem and consider the larger effects of their work. We should aim to create spaces that contribute positively to people’s lives and communities while making thoughtful and responsible choices about resources, environmental performance, and long-term impact.

As technology continues to evolve and become more integrated into the design process, I believe the future of design will place even greater value on distinctly human qualities—our creativity, sensitivity, and ability to perceive and interpret the world around us. Technology can expand what we are capable of doing, but ultimately, meaningful design still depends on our ability to imagine, feel, and create.

My most recent exhibition was in Barcelona. I do not have a specific plan for my next exhibition yet, but I am always open to the right opportunity and look forward to sharing my work with new audiences in the future.

My design inspiration often comes from a close perception of the site and its surroundings. It also grows from the accumulation of things that interest me in everyday life—images, places, objects, and small observations that may seem insignificant at first. I believe creativity is often built through this continuous attention to the subtle details of daily life.

Absolutely. I believe many things shape the way we design—our cultural background, the environments we live in, and the experiences we accumulate over time. All of these influence the way we see the world and, in turn, our state of mind. Design is often a reflection of that inner perspective. As our surroundings, experiences, and understanding of culture evolve, the way we think about space and design naturally evolves as well.

I usually begin by understanding the needs of the project and carefully observing the existing site and its context. From there, I identify the core idea or intention that should guide the design. I then explore different possibilities around that direction, gradually refining and developing the design in greater detail.

Stay curious, and be patient with the design process. I think curiosity is one of the most important qualities a young designer can have—not only curiosity about design itself, but about people, culture, technology, nature, and the world in general. At the same time, good ideas often take time to develop. Design can involve uncertainty, repetition, and many rounds of refinement, so patience is just as important as creativity. Keep looking, keep asking questions, and give your ideas enough time to grow.

I believe one of the most important qualities for a designer is sensitivity—the ability to perceive people’s needs, understand how they experience a place, and recognize how design decisions may affect them. Being attentive to these often subtle relationships allows a designer to respond more thoughtfully to both people and the environment.

Design is naturally very time-consuming, and I do not think it can always be managed within perfectly defined boundaries. Even when I am not actively working on a project, I often continue thinking about it in the background. What helps me most is setting clear deadlines and milestones for myself. Within that framework, I allow the design process to remain relatively open and fluid. Ideas often continue developing while I am walking, resting, or doing something completely unrelated, so for me, time management in design is less about strictly separating “work time” from everything else and more about giving the process structure without interrupting the thinking behind it.

What is your most favorite design?