Zhiyan Huang

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Zhiyan Huang ("ZH") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

DL: Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

ZH : My BFA degree is in Visual Communication Design from Parsons School of Design, The New School, and my MFA are in Graphic Design from Yale University School of the Arts, and the MA degree in University of Chicago, Division of Humanities, in Art History.

DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

ZH : I became a designer, at first I just wanted to solve my life needs, such as making some beautiful decorations for myself. Over time, I realized that I have a great passion in the field of design and art, so I considered developing it into a career.

DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

ZH : I chose to become a designer myself. And I also have a Master's degree in Art History at the same time, which has helped me a lot in my design identity.

DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

ZH : I have a lot of design and artistic experimentation. For example, as a visual artist, I've made experimental graphic designs, book covers designs, and experimental films. After returning to Beijing, I came into contact with intangible cultural heritage, therefore, I'm considering the use of modeling to make jewelry in combination with intangible cultural heritage techniques.

DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

ZH : I think the prerequisite for good design is to know yourself clearly. Tap into what you are good at, explore from a variety of areas, and practice well. Don't be afraid to take a long time to explore if you can. Every attempt becomes a seed for success.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

ZH : The difference lies in the ability to push the limits of the self, and push the boundaries of various industry sectors. Outstanding designers always dare to try.

DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

ZH : Good design can also pose new questions to the design community.

DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

ZH : Design is a way of life that can make our lives better. Good design can subtly influence the way people see things.

DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

ZH : I want to design products for Chinese craftsmen, so that on the one hand, we can protect and record the ancient and excellent skills, and on the other hand, we can combine them with design to produce good design works.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

ZH : I want to make documentaries on design and designers.

DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

ZH : I like to find new inspiration from research papers in various fields.

DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

ZH : A lot of it, generally from artists, and Chinese cultural heritage.

DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

ZH : Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh. Their knowledge of images, and the techniques they use to process them are very clever and recognizable. I love designers who combine photography and graphic design well.

DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

ZH : I don't have my most satisfying design yet, but winning design Dunhuang collection met my expectations.

DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

ZH : Forget about being a designer and do something that interests me. These experiences will allow me to make great work.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

ZH : Probably an antique dealer, or an art historian. It's also possible to have an antique or clothing store at the same time.

DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?

ZH : Design is the visual language for thinking about life.

DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

ZH : My family, and the faculties I met while studying at Yale.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

ZH : Thinking about things from a different perspective, as well as forgetting that I'm a designer.

DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

ZH : I had a bottleneck in graduate school. Mainly trying to find a design style that works for me.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

ZH : Before presenting your work, try to explain in one sentence length what your design is and what problem you need to solve. On top of that, tell a compelling story.

DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

ZH : Continue to do the fashion jewelry line under the Liang Xing brand. I am looking for good craftsmanship as well as visiting more artisans.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

ZH : To be an ambassador of intercultural communication in culture and art.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

ZH : Chinese designers want the world to see more designs that represent China. Maybe our new generation of designers can do that.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

ZH : I think it's a great proposition. Designers taking their work seriously might be a good place to start.

DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

ZH : I am currently starting a new jewelry line with Beijing Enamel Factory.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

ZH : The progress of my brand so far is all to my satisfaction. Because I can take full ownership of these creations, I can also strike a good balance between art and business.

DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

ZH : I'd like to see more designers develop their own clear personal portraits like artists do. Each designer has a clearly defined, strong style.

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

ZH : Designers build their own brands and have a stronger field of crossover attempts.

DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

ZH : One month to six months, depending on who I work with.

DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?

ZH : Read articles written by other scholars and look at other people's research for inspiration. Sometimes watch interviews with famous people in different fields, or documentaries.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

ZH : Being a lover of life is the foundation of being a good designer.

DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

ZH : I think it's mutual. But good designers can't blindly follow trends.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

ZH : Technology is the language and tools for expressing design thinking.

DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

ZH : Everything from Adobe, and modeling software. And a high-resolution camera.

DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

ZH : Like technology, it is a language and tool for expressing design thinking.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

ZH : I want my audience to be able to talk about what my design reminds them of from their area of expertise. It could also be what valuable life experiences come to mind through my designs.

DL: When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

ZH : Curious what people not in the design field would think of good design work. And whether these works can actually impact people's lives.

DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

ZH : Good design often emerges and is accomplished in conversation. My partners come from practitioners in different design fields.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

ZH : Practitioners in the arts. Includes art historians, artists, art critics, curators, photographers, etc.

DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

ZH : Books on art history, and ancient Chinese philosophy.

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

ZH : Record more things with my camera when I travel in general.

DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

ZH : Philosophers written in history books. And women who weren't written in history but changed the development of history.

DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

ZH : It's not hard to be famous, it's hard to keep making good work after I'm famous. And whether I can challenge myself and deny what's already established when I'm particularly famous.

DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

ZH : Celestial blue, spring and fall, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Serge Lutens.

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

ZH : I'm actually a graphic designer and visual artist. I do fashion jewelry brand just because I want to put the unique Chinese, some beautiful techniques in my design work. Graphic designers spend most of their time using print as their medium, so I wanted to switch it up and make some nice looking jewelry to wear.

DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

ZH : I want my ideas to be seen by more people. And to find partners at work who appreciate each other.

DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

ZH : When I was a kid I thought I was going to be a great artist, specifically a painter. So becoming a designer is pretty much the same dream I had as a kid.

DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

ZH : Maybe in a thousand years there will be a globally unified language that will allow all people to communicate without barriers. Visual expressions can transcend the boundaries of time and space. Perhaps people 1000 years from now can communicate with people of any age without barriers.

DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

ZH : I hope that those who like my work will follow the Liang Xing brand, and I will continue to release more pieces in the series and make them available globally.