Kay Jiaqi Zhou

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kay Jiaqi Zhou ("KJZ") 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?

KJZ : I did my Product Design diploma in China Academy of Art and I finished my Product Design master degree in Birmingham Institute of Art and Design in the UK. Before I start up my brand POPORCELAIN, I worked in a watch design company in the UK.

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

KJZ : I didn’t know if I would like to be a designer when I was little. When I was about 16, I was facing the issue about choosing a major to study in school. I wasn’t sure will I be good at science, maths or languages, but I was quite sure I like drawing. I didn’t want to give up this hobby so I decided to go for the art and design route.

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

KJZ : I was quite sure I would like to be a designer when I was about 17. No one forced me. On the contrary, I convinced my parents about my choice.

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

KJZ : I design porcelain jewellery. I wish to design more fashionable or bridal jewellery and accessory pieces.

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

KJZ : Be open-minded, be humble, be concentrated, be cheerful, be patient.

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

KJZ : A good designer can try to make things perfect, while a great designer can accept things which aren’t perfect.

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

KJZ : Apart from the aesthetics and functionality, I feel a good design should under a healthy developing process, which includes environmental friendly, designers and workers friendly. Not abuse using materials. Not over-pressured on designers nor under-valued on workers.

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

KJZ : The value of good design, not just about the value of the material, or brand effect. The value of it can be considered as the time and story behind the product. I feel to invest in good design is like to protect the pure wish from our mind, because every good design has been deeply considered and refined by the designer.

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

KJZ : mmm….a porcelain watch for Swatch.

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

KJZ : Bridal accessories and fashion accessories, such as hair accessories and handbags

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

KJZ : Ask myself ‘why’ and ‘why not’

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

KJZ : Carl Fabergé, Domenico Dolce, Stefano Gabbana, Alexander McQueen

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

KJZ : Piuma chair by Piero Lissoni for Kartell: beautiful shape, super light weight, material innovation Revolve sofa bed by Numen/ForUse for Prostoria: multi functional, practical, cute, cosy Wood sparrows by Novoform: lovable shape, handmade, light-hearted Black Dancing Rose limited edition watch by Uma Wang for Swatch: artistic, creative

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

KJZ : It’s hard to say which one the greatest design. If I have to name one, I would possibly say the Porcelain Daisy Stud earrings. For the audience, the earrings are simple, pretty, practical – easily go well with different outfits. For the materials: durable, environmental friendly. For the making process: handmade and unique.

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

KJZ : to be more open-minded, see more, feel more, think more.

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

KJZ : I possibly would like to be a cook or baker or a florist.

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

KJZ : ‘Design’ for me is like an approach which helps me to discover and understand the world.

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

KJZ : My tutors, my parents and my husband. It’s absolutely hard to say who was my biggest supporter, they are like the different links on the chain, I don’t think I can reach these heights without any of them.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KJZ : Good education, aboard studying and working experience, support from my families and friends.

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

KJZ : The uncertainty of my work and life were the main obstacles I faced.

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

KJZ : be responsible, be easy understandable

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

KJZ : 2018 summer collection; more jewellery collections and possibly fashion accessory collections

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

KJZ : To be a designer influencer. Not only developing my own brand, but I would like to help young design students or designers, also craftsmen.

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

KJZ : Alternative thinkings

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KJZ : Designs can lead people’s thinking and understanding. Good designs can lead people to understand and adapt eco-friendly and aesthetic concepts and products.

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

KJZ : Summer jewellery collection. They are fun and cheerful.

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

KJZ : Plum blossom statement ring. It has been on my sketchbook for a long time. Because of the technical issue, material issue and assemble issue, it has taken a long way to develop, although these more or less happened with other pieces too.

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

KJZ : I would like to see the design industry is going to be more respected, more supported, more invested and more affected.

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

KJZ : I think design field is possibly getting more and more crossover. Design projects could be happened among different background professionals, or different culture etc.

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

KJZ : Usually it would take a few months. Sometimes the final result would be developed into quite a different product compared to the original idea. Even sometimes the final shape or the materials of the product is pretty much the same as the original, I would still leave it for a while before it is launched, because I feel like to give it some ‘brewing’ time.

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

KJZ : Could start from the new trends, or new materials, or new components

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KJZ : Form follows fun, if not fun, why do it.

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

KJZ : They sets or affects each other.

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

KJZ : Technology plays an absolutely key role for me. And I believe it is possibly the same for everyone. For myself, the new technology ceramic kiln (electric kiln) allows me to access this industry a lot easier than some decades ago. Different software and apps are must-have no matter for design purpose or social purpose.

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

KJZ : Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Wacom.

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

KJZ : For a new design, I possibly consider the shape, texture and materials first. Colours or patterns come next. Unlike product shapes and materials, in fashion industry, colour itself doesn’t seem to have ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. I usually begin my design with white colour.

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

KJZ : What are the differences between your design and the mass-produce pieces.

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

KJZ : Could be the using scenario, or the making process behind the scene.

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

KJZ : Someone who appreciate handcrafted and creative work. Yes, I believe so.

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

KJZ : mmm….cannot name one for now….

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

KJZ : Serious Creativity by Edward de Bono. This was one of the books on the master course booklist. Another one is the Chinese old book Tao Te Ching. They affected the way that how I think.

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

KJZ : Haha I don’t think I deserve the title of master designer yet. The way that how I develop my skills is to force myself to learn and do something I haven’t tried or I was a bit afraid before.

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

KJZ : Irrelative of time and space, but also related to ‘time and space’, definitely Professor Stephen Hawking.

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

KJZ : I don’t feel it’s much different after I am awarded. Maybe that is because I am still not famous haha.

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

KJZ : Colour: White Place: home Food: Chinese food, Season: summer (in Europe)/spring (in China) Thing: my hands Brand: lots….D&G, Alexander McQueen, Swatch, IKEA…

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

KJZ : My first designer job interview email sent by my manager went into the junk box. I nearly missed my first formal job in my lifetime. I checked my junk box very occasionally, however I was lucky enough just saw the email in the right time.

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

KJZ : Get up at the good time; go to bed at the good time. Try to do things one by one, try to easy one first.

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

KJZ : No, I don’t think so. But it was quite obvious I like drawing since I was little.

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

KJZ : Oh….do you mean when the sun becomes a black hole? Then I guess human maybe develop into ‘hype-human’…

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

KJZ : I would like to thanks to all my families, friends, fans, and collaboration partners, without you, I would not be me. I appreciate all the supports, kind words and hard works you have done for me. I will carry on to deliver more good designs for you all.