Kaijie Chen

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kaijie Chen ("KC") 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?

KC : 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.

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

KC : 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.

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

KC : 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.

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

KC : 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.

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

KC : 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.

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

KC : Problem-solving. That is also the most challenging and enjoyable part to me.

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

KC : 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

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

KC : 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.

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

KC : 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.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KC : 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.

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

KC : Transdiciplinary Design is the future.

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

KC : 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.

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

KC : 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.

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

KC : It definitely has risen in a spiral.

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

KC : 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.

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

KC : I probably will have stendhal syndrome, being speechless and gasping with admiration. Then try to figure out where it comes from, how does it work out...

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

KC : I always wanna be a designer. Even now, every time the designs are realized, I still feel like a child find a beautiful sea nail on the beach.