Li Hui

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

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

LH : My parents are both teachers, which made me have a good education since I was a child. When I was in college, I chose the industrial design major combining technology and art according to my interest in painting. After graduation, I first went to work in a famous international trust and investment company in China. Because it was inconsistent with my major, I quit my job and started my own design company two years later. In the mid-1990s, under the influence of my father, he thought that electric vehicles would become the development trend in the future. From then on, I began to study technology. I have been engaged in this industry for many years, working, studying, designing and paving the way.

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

LH : When I was a child, I liked painting, making model airplanes, model cars and model boats. Because of these hobbies, I chose the major of industrial design combining technology and art when I was a child. Finally, I became an industrial designer. I hope that the products designed by the combination of art and technology can be really used by human beings, so I am very happy to finally become an industrial designer Because it's my dream since I was a child.

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

LH : I volunteered to become a designer, which is my dream since I was a child, and I have been working hard for it since I became a designer, so as to pave the way for becoming an excellent designer.

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

LH : My favorite vehicle design is electric vehicles. I plan to make two or three more products in the next two or three years.

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

LH : I hope that young designers don't think that they are arrogant. They should strive to learn their own professional skills, have a broader vision, have a profound understanding of their products, learn to think, can't exaggerate their feelings, seriously study and precipitate in the professional field, and patiently become a qualified professional designer.

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

LH : Excellent designers will first of all like this profession, will have favorite products, at the same time have their own ideas and understanding of products, have enough knowledge to achieve product design.

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

LH : A good design is full of innovation. A design that really starts from customers or users can be appreciated by almost everyone. Everyone will recognize your work very much. This is a successful design.

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

LH : The value of good design is to meet the needs of customers and be recognized by customers. Everyone has a need for good design.

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

LH : In the future, I will work hard to make my products recognized by more people. I dream of being able to design a more perfect electric car and make it a classic product for everyone to recognize.

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

LH : The secret of a successful design is to know what you like and what you need?

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

LH : My favorite designs are all kinds of different concept cars, and what I'm good at is designing electric cars, because they are related to my work and can inspire me.

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

LH : To learn new knowledge, with innovative thinking in reality to complete some of their own ideas.

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

LH : I will continue to be a designer to meet all the conditions.

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

LH : Design is the conception and planning of things. My design is to solve the problem of travel, so that more people can freely walk through the buildings of the city.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LH : I think it's the support of my family that allows me to do my best to complete my design.

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

LH : Show your work on some big platforms.

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

LH : The next design project is still an electric car. It will be an electric mini super run. It will be very cool.

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

LH : Design a product that is in line with everyone's mind and get everyone's appreciation.

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

LH : I think what people want of me is that they expect to keep up with the standard.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LH : I think designing a perfect electric car can make people travel more convenient and environmentally friendly.

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

LH : At present, I am doing electric vehicles. I feel very excited every time I solve some technical problems.

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

LH : I like the design of vehicles very much. My job is to design electric vehicles. Now I am very satisfied with the design of electric vehicles.

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

LH : It can bring about a new trend and change the inherent thinking.

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

LH : At the same time, it is more artistic. Life is improving, the society is developing, and aesthetics is improving. Only the higher and better integration of art and design can meet the needs of many parties.

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

LH : About a year

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

LH : Start with practicality.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LH : Let yourself be satisfied first.

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

LH : I think the two are inseparable. Good design can lead the future trend, and the design conforming to the current trend is good design.

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

LH : Verify the feasibility of the design.

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

LH : I use the software PS, alias, CATIA

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

LH : By understanding the future technology and design trends, I will refine these elements to improve the beauty and practicability of the works.

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

LH : Improvement measures.

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

LH : Consider what style the design or product will look like if it was designed by yourself.

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

LH : My ideal design partner is excellent designer. I believe that working with excellent designers can produce more sparks.

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

LH : Interact with customers and understand their needs.

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

LH : Continuous learning, continuous progress.

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

LH : Myself 20 years ago.

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

LH : These are not the end points.

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

LH : To be full of love for life, constantly accept new things, usually watching concept design and listening to music can also give me some inspiration.

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

LH : When I was a child, I loved drawing and making models. At that time, I dreamed that I could be a designer when I grew up. Of course, I have been working hard for this ever since.

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

LH : The future is very uncertain. What will happen in a thousand years, I think, will depend on what we are doing now.

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

LH : I hope you can pay more attention to my company and design works. You can also contact me by email 87024653@qq.com .