JINGYI CAI

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer JINGYI CAI ("JC") 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?

JC : I graduated from Guangzhou Acmdemy of Fine Arts in 2005. After graduation, I became a designer.

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

JC : I think design can bring me pleasure, so I try to be a designer.

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

JC : Of course I volunteered.

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

JC : I design offices and villas. I hope we can design some cinemas in the future.The cinema is also a place of joy.

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

JC : First of all, let yourself love the design, and then continue to love it.

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

JC : Master can not be copied.but a good designer can be copied.

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

JC : A good design is one that's reliable, straightforward to use, and easy to repair and maintain.

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

JC : Good design solves the right problem.Good design consists of a number of stages, which progressively elaborate the design.

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

JC : Maybe I'll design a kindergarten for kids, like a kindergarten in an amusement park.

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

JC : A kindergarten .

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

JC : There is no secret ingredient. It's just you.

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

JC : Kandinsky

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

JC : Ando Tadao.Tadao Ando's body of work is known for the creative use of natural light and for architectures that follow the natural forms of the landscape (rather than disturbing the landscape by making it conform to the constructed space of a building). The architect's buildings are often characterized by complex three-dimensional circulation paths. These paths interweave between interior and exterior spaces formed both inside large-scale geometric shapes and in the spaces between them. His "Row House in Sumiyoshi, a small two-story, cast-in-place concrete house completed in 1976, is an early Ando work which began to show elements of his characteristic style. It consists of three equally sized rectangular volumes: two enclosed volumes of interior spaces separated by an open courtyard. By nature of the courtyard's position between the two interior volumes, it becomes an integral part of the house's circulation system. This house is famous for the contrast of appearance and spatial organization, which allow people to experience the richness of the space within the geometry.

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

JC : My best design is the next project.

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

JC : Well, maybe they can be a better designer by doing more non-design things.

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

JC : I may become a chef, I love the delicacy.

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

JC : Design is the creation of a plan or convention for the construction of an object.It is an act of creativity and innovation.

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

JC : My family and colleagues gave me the greatest support.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JC : Family support.

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

JC : The biggest difficulty comes from myself.

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

JC : I do not think too much present.Do a good job of each design is the best way to promote.

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

JC : I would like to design a glass house. I hope you will like it.

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

JC : I hope my work can make you like, always like to go down, so it is enough.

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

JC : For some avant-garde experiments and design, I hope people can be more tolerant.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JC : To improve and stimulate the urban and natural environment by doing good design and feasible inspirations.

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

JC : There's no such thing as a special job. People can't always be excited.

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

JC : This year I designed an apartment, a small apartment, but it was fun. If there is a chance, I will show it to you.

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

JC : I hope that software technology can be developed easily. Let everyone be a designer.

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

JC : I haven't thought about it yet.

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

JC : About a month to 2 months.

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

JC : I generally investigate the background information.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JC : Losing is nothing，but learning is something.

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

JC : I like to try new techniques that can be fun.

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

JC : 3D max and photoShop.

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

JC : Colors and materials are tools designed to connect people's vision and touch.

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

JC : Design process.

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

JC : Exciting，I'm going to make a better design.

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

JC : Yes, I believe in co-design. I often work with colleagues to design a project.

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

JC : I like to communicate with other designers in the design process.

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

JC : 《Visionaire》

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

JC : I often go to different places to see other designers of excellent design.

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

JC : Antoni Gaudi i Cornet

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

JC : I don't care about being famous. I hope I can enjoy the process of every design project.

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

JC : I like too many things, really hard to enumerate. The designer should like all good things, or should be able to find all the good things.

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

JC : Once, I designed a villa. The owner insisted that I design a pink house for their Labrador, I think it's funny, you know dogs are color blind.

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

JC : This is my job, and I love my job.

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

JC : I think there should be No.

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

JC : One thousand years later? I can't imagine what it would be like.

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

JC : I want them to know that I never gave up being a good designer.