Xuesong Li

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Xuesong Li ("XL") 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?

XL : I graduated from Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, industrial design, from an early age love art, in the middle school like the product design. During the University, under the influence of the teacher, after graduation to become a university teacher, continue to engage in product design education, to achieve their ideals.

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

XL : My teacher taught me to do things carefully and diligently. I like the products of life, they let me concentrate on thinking. It's my motivation to become a designer when I see my design work come true.

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

XL : Design is one of my interests, and I love the job I do.

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

XL : Outdoor product design. Out of the room is outdoors, we are eager to outdoor freedom, by car, walking, crossing, etc., this is a very large design area.

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

XL : Learning with an open mind, serious experience of life.

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

XL : The great designer is not just a design work, but through the design work to lead people's lives, the master's work is thoughtful, forward-looking.

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

XL : Good design can inspire people to think about the meaning behind the product.

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

XL : Good design can make people live a better life, good design can better coordinate the relationship between human and product environment. The sustainable development of the society.

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

XL : The first is simple and efficient, with good economic value. Secondly, we design the products that reflect the connotation of Chinese traditional culture.

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

XL : There are many, many designs waiting for us to explore.

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

XL : Design comes from life, so the design needs to experience and accumulate. Active communication can promote the design of the program.

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

XL : I like the works of Fukazawa Naohito, from which I can appreciate the meaning behind the products of different times. I also like the works of Daniel Simon, rich imagination and aesthetic form of admiration.

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

XL : I like the works of Fukazawa Naohito, from which I can understand the meaning behind the products of different times. His works are simple and full of life.

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

XL : I like the design is the recent completion of the "disappearing umbrella", the life of the little bit are inspired us to think about the relationship between people and products, people and the environment.

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

XL : I am studying for a master's degree, I want to continue to learn the knowledge of various fields, improve their cultural quality, which is an important foundation for a good designer.

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

XL : I like the product design, and I also like to study history. Being a teacher is my dream.

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

XL : Product design is based on the function of the premise to meet the needs of users for the purpose. Good design can make people think, this is my pursuit of the goal.

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

XL : My parents, who supported me to study at Academy of Fine Arts, and chose my favorite product design. Although the study of the road is difficult, but my parents encouraged me to become a teacher, a designer.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

XL : I am not a great designer, I am still studying on the road to work hard.

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

XL : Life experience is an obstacle to become a good designer, every young designer should learn to live, proactive.

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

XL : Good works to focus on the use of the product situation, designers can use a variety of means, such as product animation to express design ideas.

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

XL : The next design project is "brand-based custom products."

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

XL : The designer's goal is to create more social values.

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

XL : From an artistic and commercial point of view, Steve Jobs is my favorite. In the field of design, he created an era. The perfect presentation of art and technology in front of people.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

XL : Good design to expand the people's awareness of the traditional, the introduction of advanced technology into the lives of ordinary people, and promote the development of society.

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

XL : Private customized products based on brand.

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

XL : I like the design is the recent completion of the "disappearing umbrella", the life of the little bit are inspired us to think about the relationship between people and products, people and the environment.

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

XL : People pay more attention to the results created by designers, product design is not only concerned about the commercial value, but also pay more attention to people's psychological needs.

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

XL : China has entered the aging society, care for the elderly in the field of product design is China's urgent need to consider the field of design.

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

XL : About one month.

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

XL : Starting with a mind map.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

XL : Keep yourself modest to people, no matter you are just a novice or a master.

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

XL : Interaction between products and people is the focus of future design breakthroughs. Once the virtual reality technology breaks through the bottleneck of technology, it will usher in a new revolution.

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

XL : Technology is often my latest consideration, it will directly determine the basis of product design.

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

XL : A variety of 2D and 3D auxiliary design software, I advocate the development of multi platform software.

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

XL : They are related to the external experience and psychological factors.

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

XL : Design a new way of life.

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

XL : Often the details of the shape of the product will make me moved.

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

XL : I believe that a good design partner will make the design process very interesting.

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

XL : My college students, he is now a listed company, his thoughts and opinions gave me a lot of inspiration.

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

XL : 《Design education and education design》

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

XL : As a designer, it is important to learn how to design management. The experience of working in a joint venture benefited me a lot during my college education.

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

XL : I am very happy to discuss the interesting things in life and discuss the various problems of design.

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

XL : A fair and just international award is a matter of great importance to me, and for me, the award represents the work that has been recognized and inspired me to work harder. For the enterprise is the best advertising.

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

XL : I like the orange on behalf of the sun. I also like to carry a backpack to go on a long journey, find the unknown things, intentions to feel. In the place where I live, the four seasons, I like the colorful autumn. As for the favorite brand, it is difficult to say clearly, but I am interested in Apple products more and more interested in the office, really convenient.

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

XL : I used to have a two chance to study the effect of the product under the guidance of Mr. Shimizu Yoshiharu. I was impressed by his witty and humorous teaching. He used a feather fan to clean paper debris, tiny movements clearly reflect the Japanese culture, I'm impressed.

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

XL : Every day engaged in the teaching of product design work, in the face of the students, I always think of me, when I go to school, if I work harder, I will be more today.

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

XL : When I was young, I didn't know what the designer was. At that time, I like a person quietly do what I like, such as painting. Perhaps this is the character that made me who I am today.

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

XL : I think the future of people's lives will be more intelligent, based on the study of neural networks in the brain will lead to great changes in life now. For example, we do not have to worry about traffic jams, intelligent transportation units will be delivered to the destination in time. Of course, in the high-tech era, once the simple life will make people more nostalgia. Now the scenes in commercial movies will become reality in the future.

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

XL : I hope to be able to design as the master Fukazawa Naohito, the design of the product is both beautiful and practical, but also can cause emotional resonance. That's what I'm after.