Ling Zhou

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ling Zhou ("LZ") 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?

LZ : Graduated from the Department of interior design, Chongqing University of architecture, China

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

LZ : Has been very fond of design

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

LZ : My pleasant choice

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

LZ : I have been hoping to break through traditional design thinking. I'm brave in the face of different types of design

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

LZ : Young designers should learn more and explore more new things

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

LZ : Great designers always treat and solve problems with international heights

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

LZ : The accurate positioning of the direction of the product will become a very good design and a good design can drive the marketing thinking of the operator through the design.

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

LZ : The value of a good design lies in the ability to break through the existing way of thinking and to see the direction of future design. So I think the design leads us to see the future

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

LZ : If I have time, I will design my own paradise

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

LZ : Of course it's my holiday resort

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

LZ : Keep trying and see a higher level of design

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

LZ : I get inspiration from everything in my life

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

LZ : What I like most is books, because books will give me more knowledge

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

LZ : Chongqing resort, this is a great resort, people in the sun bathed in the spring breeze, feel the natural beauty of the light of landscape.

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

LZ : I think I can improve myself better only if I keep seeing my own shortcomings.

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

LZ : I'm lucky to be a designer

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

LZ : The design is the accumulation of life and the elevation of the vision, and my design is infinitely wide.

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

LZ : My good friend, Xianghao Zhang, the designer of Taiwan

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LZ : The spirit of continuous exploration

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

LZ : Of course, how to go beyond the limits of your own

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

LZ : I think I should show my work through all the ways you can see it.

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

LZ : My next project is an imported fresh exhibition hall, expecting this work to go beyond the height of my existing design

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

LZ : The ultimate goal of a designer is to speak for the city on the international stage.

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

LZ : Of course, I hope his design is getting better and better

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LZ : Improve the international awareness of the city through the design

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

LZ : There are still a lot of design projects being done and better designs will be presented.

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

LZ : I think every project in the future will satisfy me, because all of the existing designs can be surpassed.

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

LZ : I hope to see the design more natural and environmentally friendly in the next few years

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

LZ : I am not sure what is the change in the design field, but I believe that our design industry will be getting better and better

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

LZ : 1-3 months, even longer, depending on the design project

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

LZ : When I have a new design project, I will first relax myself and then find a design point different from the past.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LZ : My motto: see design and go with it

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

LZ : I think so.

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

LZ : Design technology will make the design more complete and beautiful

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

LZ : AUTOCAD and Google SketchUp

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

LZ : They are inseparable important elements, reasonable use will be more beautiful design

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

LZ : of course

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

LZ : I would think: who designed it so well, how he did it

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

LZ : The advantages and disadvantages can compensate each other is my ideal partner, I believe that the common design

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

LZ : Taiwan designer Xiangxiang Zhang

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

LZ : The history of modern design

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

LZ : Continuous learning, continuous communication, and constantly surpass themselves

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

LZ : Taiwan designer Xiangxiang Zhang

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

LZ : I'm very happy to get this award and get recognition

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

LZ : I like grey and gold best, Italy Milan, steak, spring. Men like to play with cars and I'm no exception. Favorite Porsche Car

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

LZ : The most memorable is that a friend and I together in school design, work together. Open a design company together

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

LZ : I often look at interesting things, and get design inspiration from everything.

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

LZ : I think so.

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

LZ : In the future I believe that my design level will be more and more good, I will see different myself

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

LZ : I want them to see my design and my professional faith as a designer.