Tammy Lee

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

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.

What is "design" for you?

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.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

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

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

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.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

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.

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

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

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

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.

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

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.

What makes a design successful?

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.

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

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

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

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

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

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.

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 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.

How do you work with companies?

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.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

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.

Can you describe a day in your life?

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.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

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.

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

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.

What was your most important job experience?

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.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

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

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

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

How can people contact you?

Contact the founder&project designer through website, WeChat official account or WeChat ID: lldccy