디자이너 인터뷰
23 질문
I was born in Beijing, China, where I received a BFA in Visual Communication Design. While in college, I went to UC Berkeley and Yunlin Technology College (Taiwan) as an exchange student to explore fine art and visual…
Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I was born in Beijing, China, where I received a BFA in Visual Communication Design. While in college, I went to UC Berkeley and Yunlin Technology College (Taiwan) as an exchange student to explore fine art and visual thinking. Then, I went to Pratt Institute to get a Master’s degree in Communication Design. I am a graphic designer and illustrator, currently based in New York. I specialize in branding strategy, packaging design, interaction, illustration, and photography.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
I have 3 positons. I am a freelancer working in a home-goods company. I also work as an intern in a branding agency. Meanwhile I run my own design studio. We accept clients from all over the world. We do branding, advertising, photography and packaging.
What is "design" for you?
Using the simplest, most direct visual language to deliver the meaning of the products, the action and the thoughts, design brings people a better life.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
The most satisfying works has some challenges and can bring a more convenient and more comfortable life for people.
I like to design beautiful packaging with eco-friendly and functional structure developments and branding system that can deliver further meaning for companies.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I like my Bloom tea packaging. It connects function and beauty-appreciation, thinking out of box and giving people a favorable impression to the product.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
I developed a new package for a toy company. I used my design ability to help repackage a giant sponge puzzle and let costumers know the product through all-round redesign.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I like physical sketches and keep ideas anytime and anywhere. I use adobe photoshop and illustrator to do the edits.
When do you feel the most creative?
I usually feel energetic in the early morning or in the middle of the night.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I focus on research and concept development more during designing.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I feel energetic and passionate when I do research and come up with a concept and feel relaxed during the concrete designing.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
I feel really exited and achieve a sense of success.
What makes a design successful?
Deep thinking, accurate expression and simplicity.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
When I see a design, I always consider the function of the visual language and weather the information be conveyed clearly by the design.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
I think design is a very strong method to take responsibility for society. We can use design to change or affect thoughts and behaviors. Keeping the society viable and bring peace and harmony as well as provide environmentally sustainable development is my design direction.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
It’s great for designers keep evolving and updating expression methods. But the core rule of design is stable. The future of design will use more media and involve wider areas.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
My last exhibition was in New York Design Week 2016. I want to open in Shanghai next time.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I keep a habit of writing in my diary and visual journal, which is helpful for testing different expressions. I travel a lot. From modern cities to historical towns, from popular metropolitan areas to natural landscapes, my visual thinking has become richly and deeply influenced.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
My design is in a functional, emotional and artistic style because I have strong drawing skills and am an emotional and sensitive person. I want to create design with a high aesthetic and deliver accurate information.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in New York now. Yes; Chinese culture and drawings influence me a lot. I started drawing when I was six years old.I was first inspired by Chinese traditional drawing and then became interested in Western oil painting. The mixed drawing methods affected me in visual perception and observation philosophy.
How do you work with companies?
I have a freelance job. I go to the company to discuss the research and brainstorm directions and then communicate through email after each design and revision. I also work for another design agency. I take responsibility for the projects from the research to design and get advice from the art director and marketing team.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
The designer should have independent thinking ability, have passion about the project, be easy to communicate and be able to absorb advice in efficient design processes.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
First I make clear the costumer’s demands and analyze the project. Then do the research to dig for the deeper and further meaning behind this topic and do research for the market. After that I’ll do a brainstorm using sketches to keep a record. I talk with as many people as possible and get their feedback. Then after consideration I go into one unique direction and keep taping into the aesthetic capacity in design.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
The items I like best and can bring inspiration for me are Camera Sony a7r2, the drawing tablet, the delicate notebooks, the teapot, and the sound.
