Tingting Han

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tingting Han ("TH") 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?

TH : I studied graphic design and got Bachelor of Arts degree, then I worked as a graphic designer and interior decorator for 6 years. After that, I went to Japan to study fashion design in Bunka fashion college and Esmod Tokyo. In 2015, I transferred to Esmod Paris and graduated from Novelle couture traditional. Now I work as a freelancer in both fashion and graphic design industries, and at the same time, I work on the first ready to wear collection of my own brand "Nicole Hon".

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

TH : I want to change the world in my way. So I think to become a designer in a solution.

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

TH : I chose to be.

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

TH : I do fashion design, graphic design, interior decoration, and illustration. I love to design everything when I have a chance to do.

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

TH : Do more research and open your mind.

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

TH : I think a good designer can do a good job and a great designer could make a work become a piece of art.

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

TH : I think it depends on whether it suits human or project for a long time.

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

TH : Because I think the good design could make people's life more comfortable and easier. It worth to invest more money.

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

TH : I really want to design some haute couture dresses for a movie or a live.

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

TH : Maybe it's my own collection.

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

TH : Think more, try more.

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

TH : Alexander McQueen and Christian Dior.

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

TH : Glass products and items of furniture by Emile Galle, architectures by Gaudi. I love art nouveau style so well.

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

TH : I think my next design will be the greatest one. The best is always the next.

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

TH : Study more and work harder.

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

TH : I can't image my life like that.

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

TH : I consider art as a nature langue, which nobody needs to learn but could feel and understand it with heart. And the design is one of the expressions of art which people use their imagination and technique. As we live with other animals and plants, we got a lot of inspiration from them, then we found a langue to talk about it in our way.

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

TH : My professors taught me a lot of technique and knowledge. And my boyfriend is always being my side and supports me for very long time.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TH : Have a dream and want to make it come true.

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

TH : Laziness.

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

TH : I think the designer is the best person to present their work, they know the process and industry situation.

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

TH : I'm working on my new ready to wear collection now.

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

TH : To be a famous designer and make some artwork deathless.

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

TH : Maybe they could just expect me to work harder and make more designs.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TH : Good design could make people more convenient to live.

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

TH : I'm designing an embroidery work now. It's for another competition.

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

TH : The next one. Because I'm really hard to be satisfied.

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

TH : I hope people could open mind with their daily garments, their choices could be more diversified, not follow the popular trends but have their own thought.

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

TH : China, of course.

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

TH : It depends on the project and the client, normally a project cost me maximin 3 months.

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

TH : Research always comes first. Know thyself know yourself。

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TH : Work hard, play hard.

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

TH : At first, I thought design sets the trends, but during these years, I found the trends sets the designs. But I don't think it's correct. Maybe after several years, people won't scare off future anymore and don't lost their way. The design will set the trends again.

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

TH : Technology is very important to my design, it's just like sugar to a cake.

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

TH : Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign.

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

TH : The color is like the flavor, materials are like the flour and the ambient is like the plate presentation to a cake.

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

TH : How did I make the leather sculpture with iron.

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

TH : How to improve it.

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

TH : I don't have one. But I believe if you meet a person really understand each other and could improve each other, co-design is not a bad choice.

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

TH : My professor Franck Josseaume. When I'm doing a design work, I always remember he said: "I saw it before". It couraged me to make a totally new design.

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

TH : Bunka textbooks.

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

TH : Keep following the new design and new technique.

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

TH : Alexander McQueen, Emile Galle, and Gaudi.

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

TH : It's my first time to win a design award, so for me, it's really hard.

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

TH : My favorite color is black, favorite place is where I'm living, favorite food is butter lobster. I love four seasons. I love cat and accessories. Alexander McQueen is my favorite brand.

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

TH : After watched an exhibition or a show, as I always believe I can do better, I would have more motivation with my creative work.

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

TH : When I was a little child, I always preferred to read or draw at home then play outside.

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

TH : I love science fiction movie quite well. So I think maybe thousand years later, people will live in a totally different form. There's

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

TH : Please pay close attention with my brand and coming collection.