Interviewe mat Tammy Lee

When I was young, I was inspired by a magazine about design, after which I have been passionate about design.

When I was a child, I dreamed of being an excellent designer recognized by the public. Even though friends around me are not so supportive about my decision, I am really interested in being a designer.

Ordinary as I am, I think hard-work and passion can make a difference. Once you get started, you must put all out.

I would like to become an artist, a cook or a dancer.

My best friend has been supporting me all the time.

The creed of my life is “live a life and get down to work.” As an optimistic person, I pursue the beauty of life and take things seriously.

I am not quite sure about my next project, but I will try my best to create an innovative one.

In my opinion, there is no ultimate goal to a designer. What I would do is to try my best and keep on improving.

It is an ordinary magazine which was read by me as a little girl, but I forgot its name.

Yes, the goal of being a great designer was very clear in my mind.

Our design team is made up of post-80s’ and post-90s’ who are active, optimistic, enthusiastic, full of imagination, ready to take actions, staying true to themselves, and never ceasing their pace to move ahead. Young as we are, we are full of courage, responsibility, innovation, and motivation. Our passion for design and ability to think independently have gathered us together to form Chummy.And CDI ( Shanghai Chummy Design Inc.) or Chummy is a company founded in 2018 committed to creativity, aesthetics, art and, most importantly, originality of design. Innovation, variety and no homogeneity are at the core of CDI’s pursuit.Concept: Customize design according to customer needs. Make every work unique in the world. Rigorous with quality, active in project cooperation, immediate in cooperation and careful with every detail.

To me, “design” is completed via long-term research, exploration, test and thinking. It can bring convenience to users, create value and benefits to property owners, and exert a positive influence on society.

I have never confined myself to any specific type of design. Instead, I have been trying novel design to dig more potential of myself.

I am interested in many designs. So far, the one impressed me the most has been the British architectural design in the Shanghai World Expo Hall. It is full of the sense of future, magic and imagination.

A friend's home.

I have no favorite materials. In my opinion, as long as a design idea is original and its material match is perfect, it would be a good design.

Maybe now is that time.

I have devoted lots of time and energy to study the light and shadow effect.

During the process of design, I am full of anticipation and eager to gain inspiration at that moment, put forward better suggestions and come up with better designs to win recognition of myself and others. I also hope that my idea can be perfectly implemented.

When I get inspired, I would feel very excited and happy, and get started immediately to do more things which could express my ideas. For example, I would draw down things I which could express my ideas.

A successful design should be original, explorative, practical, environmentally-friendly, and innovative. Apart from ingeniously using the design principle, it cannot be separated from the designer’s insight, detailed design, client’s recognition and support, material utilization, support of the construction team and rigorous process, etc.

First of all, it depends on whether it is customized for the client based on the client’s demand.

The responsibility of a designer lies in whether his design could bring positive influence to society and realize sustainable development of the environment.

Sometimes, I check design materials via the Internet. Sometimes, I refer to design books. Sometimes, I would recall the places, exhibitions or other interesting things I have visited, or things I have unconsciously observed in life.

I live in Shanghai. I have deeply felt that some historical characteristics can influence our perception of design, either positively or negatively. As to the positive aspect, the characteristic tiles on the roof and the wood plug structures as well as some complex relief patterns from ancient China are applicable to modern design practices. These designs can fully reflect our ancestors’ workmanship. As to the negative aspect, some designs of our ancestors might be too regular, thus lacking adequate imagination.

My colleagues and I usually work closely with each other. We can reach an agreement on different issues, distribute workload among us properly, and effectively communicate with each other in terms of any problem.

First, the companies should find out whether the designer is interested in design. Second, the companies should clarify whether the designer is responsible, endurable of hardships, ready to think and work with others.

I bustle around all day long, and can fully commit myself to a day’s work so that none can interrupt my thinking. However, during my spare time, I would find time to visit exhibitions or go traveling to discover more wonderful and novel things, and collect inspirations. Every day appears to me a journey of exploration. I am always longing for more discoveries and happy spending of every day.

To be observant.

Before a design starts, I make use of the flashlight, water, tin foil paper, clay and mirror to imitate the design effect. In the process of designing the sketch, I make use of CAD, Sketch Up, PS and AI. After I get the design inspiration, I will refer to relevant textual and image materials via the Internet and books. During the construction process, I collect all kinds of materials for comparison and find out the most suitable one to me.

I can fully devote myself to the work and arrange my work properly. I usually arrange my time according to the work priority. Those with a higher degree of priority will be started first. At the same time, I am good at gathering time fragments, such as during the journey. On the subway, I like searching materials using the mobile phone, and entrust some things to my assistant so that I can have more time to focus on more important things.

A month at least.

Most clients ask me about the design budget.

Previously, I worked in a famous design company. Though I was just a designer assistant, I was very busy, and stayed up late. However, the work atmosphere was favorable, and I quite enjoyed my work. Their aesthetic taste, pursuit of design, and rigorousness with work have deeply influenced me.

To come up with more meaningful design. I hope my works can gain recognition from the design circles.

I have just started up my own business. In this design program, I just work as an independent designer.

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