Kaijie Chen

Specialized in Design.

Kaijie Chen

About Kaijie Chen

Kaijie Chen, a surface & visual designer living in the US, was born in Shanghai in 1991. She pushes her works to make a real impression by solving a problem from multiple perspectives and in ways previously unimaginable, not only reconciling different materials with innovative technologies, also blending art, craft, science, business savvy, and an astute understanding of customers and markets. With her diverse backgrounds, Kaijie develops concepts and designs for color, textile, wallpaper, flooring, furniture, product, packaging, visual merchandising and showroom. Transdisciplinary design approach allows her to collaborate and help companies build creative products and culture.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with Kaijie Chen

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 Shanghai where is still rapidly changing and contains both historical and futuramic vibes. I graduated with aB.S. inTextile Engineering & Designand taughtTextileDesignandStyling courses as a lecturer afterwards.While pursuingM.S. in Surface Imaging, I pushedmy works to make a real impression by solving a problem from multiple perspectives and in ways previously unimaginable, not only reconciling different materials with innovative technologies, also blending art, craft, science, business savvy, and an astute understanding of customers and markets.I'm currently living in NY. As a surface & visual designer with diverse backgrounds, I developconcepts anddesigns forcolor, textile, wallpaper,flooring, furniture, product,packaging, visual merchandising and showroom.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
KAIJIE CHEN is a studio that designs and fabricates bespoke products for architects and interior designers by integrating digital media, materials and technologies, also provides solution for our clients on creating unique in/exterior products by leveraging their new materials and technologies. Our goal is to advance your living experience in ways previously unimaginable.
What is "design" for you?
Using design language properly to convey a concept or provide a better solution, from improving a tool, to macroscopically, everyone could access the tool equally.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I love motion graphics, also always being excited to explore different materials and new technologies. I usually combine visual and physical elements in ways previously unimaginable.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
According to the customer, how to visualize the concept to final design or product properly.
What makes a design successful?
It really depends on case to case. Before designing a product or project, you must to take time to understand the purpose and target customers.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I am a visual person. An aesthetic design would be more likely to attract audiences. Then people would look into more details.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Everywhere. Because you never know something you just had a glimpse would give you unexpected idea later.
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 designs usually influenced by Japanese design vibe and my own whimsical and creative thoughts. I started as an textile engineer and designer, thus after I shifted to surface design, I was still in love with materials and cutting edge technologies. I had a “Neo Skin” series which contained 3 different collections: “Nature Force”, “Haptics” and “Living Skin” while I was exploring unimaginable and bespoke in/exterior architecture products by integrating digital media, materials and technologies.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Concept usually comes first and I'm quite a digital heavy person, however I'm also a big fans making with my hands. Thus my style is mixed with digital design and material manipulations.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Try your best to explore life, thus you will get much more broaden inspiration and understanding from different resources. Keep trying when you feel lost because it's the only way you could find out if you like it, good at it or not.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Problem-solving. That is also the most challenging and enjoyable part to me.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends. But none of them are realized at the first time. There's always coming back and forth. Especially when you are working with some other field talents, both of you would realize the limitations and possibilities on the other side later.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
I am always fascinating about the story behind the design, blend design and art, thinking about philosophy and psychology. I want to make good designs not only for practical purpose. To create an ambience, more accurately, to capture and reveal something which is created by human being ourself however not usually self aware.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I wish I would have even broaden platform to collaborate with artists and designers from all kinds of background.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I work very well while alone since I have more control about timeline. I'm also enjoy working with other talents which usually emerges more intriguing ideas and brings more diverse resources. Especially transdisciplinary design approach allows me to collaborate and help companies build creative products and culture.

Designer of the Day Interview with Kaijie Chen

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I was born in Shanghai where is still rapidly changing and contains both historical and futuramic vibes. I graduated with aB.S. in Textile Engineering & Designand taught Textile Design and Styling courses as a lecturer afterwards. While pursuing M.S. in Surface Imaging, I pushed my works to make a real impression by solving a problem from multiple perspectives and in ways previously unimaginable, not only reconciling different materials with innovative technologies, also blending art, craft, science, business savvy, and an astute understanding of customers and markets.I'm currently living in NY. As a surface & visual designer with diverse backgrounds, I develop concepts and designs forcolor, textile, wallpaper,flooring, furniture, product,packaging, visual merchandising and showroom.
How did you become a designer?
My father was a architect. I have many sweet memories of doing projects with him together. I think I never decided to become a designer. Whereas, it just happened naturally as it has been already in my life for so long.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Concept usually comes first and I'm quite a digital heavy person, however I'm also a big fans making with my hands. Thus my style is mixed with digital design and material manipulations.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
I feel purely pleasant when I am designing as I'm eager to learn new things and try to find new elements for existing stuffs.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
My engineer background helps a lot for me as a designer, thus I have a more broaden and comprehensive view while I'm creating works.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
I wish I would have even broaden platform to collaborate with artists and designers from all kinds of background.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Keep trying when you feel lost because it's the only way you could find out if you like it, good at it or not.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Try your best to explore life, thus you will get much more broaden inspiration and understanding from different resources.
What is your day to day look like?
I usually go to see a movie or hop into galleries and museums if I could.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
My personal time is quite fragmented. I don't usually have time for reading, but I enjoy chatting with friends and went to art talk and movies. Like last month I just went to a night of philosophy in Brooklyn Public Library.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
It really depends on case to case. Before designing a product or project, you must to take time to understand the purpose and target customers.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
To let design "sit" a while, then go back to review it.
What is your biggest design work?
I started as an textile engineer and designer, thus after I shifted to surface design, I was still in love with materials and cutting edge technologies. I had a “Neo Skin” series which contained 3 different collections: “Nature Force”, “Haptics” and “Living Skin” while I was exploring unimaginable and bespoke in/exterior architecture products by integrating digital media, materials and technologies.
Who is your favourite designer?
It's hard to pick a favorite designer as I love amazing designers and artist from all aspect. I like visual artist James Jean, avant garde fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, Installation artist Olafur Eliasson and so many other outstanding artists
Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
My designs usually influenced by Japanese design vibe and my own whimsical and creative thoughts.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
I work very well while alone since I have more control about timeline. I'm also enjoy working with other talents which usually emerges more intriguing ideas and brings more diverse resources. Especially transdisciplinary design approach allows me to collaborate and help companies build creative products and culture.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
I am always fascinating about the story behind the design, blend design and art, thinking about phylosophy and psychology. I want to make good designs not only for practical purpose. To create an ambience, more accurately, to capture and reveal something which is created by human being ourself however not usually self aware.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Attending the A' Design award would let more people to see my designs which is very important to me because design is not a unidirectional activity. I need more feedback from different audience which helps me reaudit my works.

Extended Interview with Kaijie Chen

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I was born in Shanghai where is still rapidly changing and contains both historical and futuramic vibes. I graduated with a B.S. in Textile Engineering & Design and taught Textile Design and Styling courses as a lecturer afterwards. While pursuing M.S. in Surface Imaging, I pushed my works to make a real impression by solving a problem from multiple perspectives and in ways previously unimaginable, not only reconciling different materials with innovative technologies, also blending art, craft, science, business savvy, and an astute understanding of customers and markets. I'm currently living in NY. As a surface & visual designer with diverse backgrounds, I develop concepts and designs for color, textile, wallpaper, flooring, furniture, product, packaging, visual merchandising and showroom. Transdisciplinary design approach allows me to collaborate and help companies build creative products and culture.
How did you become a designer?
I am always fascinating about the story behind the design, blend design and art, thinking about phylosophy and psychology. I want to make good designs not only for practical purpose. To create an ambience, more accurately, to capture and reveal something which is created by human being ourself however not usually self aware.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
My father was a architect. I have many sweet memories of doing projects with him together. I think I never decided to become a designer. Whereas, it just happened naturally as it has been already in my life for so long.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Try your best to explore life, thus you will get much more broaden inspiration and understanding from different resources. Keep trying when you feel lost because it's the only way you could find out if you like it, good at it or not.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
It really depends on case to case. Before designing a product or project, you must to take time to understand the purpose and target customers.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Problem-solving. That is also the most challenging and enjoyable part to me.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
It's hard to pick a favorite designer as I love amazing designers and artist from all aspect. I like visual artist James Jean, avant garde fashion designer Iris Van Herpen, Installation artist Olafur Eliasson and so many other outstanding artists
Who is your favourite designer?
Unusual Beauty Print won the Bronze A' Design Award in Graphics and Visual Communication Design Category, 2016 - 2017. It was inspired by the crazy and beautiful side of mental disorders to encouraging and inspiring people to optimistically see what had been passively seen.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Using design language properly to convey a concept or provide a better solution, from improving a tool, to macroscopically, everyone could access the tool equally.

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