Jin Zhang

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Jin Zhang ("JZ") 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?

JZ : I graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University. I am industrial designer and working for years.

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

JZ : I love the trend of Chinese culture which motivates me to design. I have been fond of drawing and creating things since childhood, which made me a designer.

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

JZ : I choose to become a designer.

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

JZ : I design furniture. I hope to apply modern design methods to Chinese traditional design and incorporate more Oriental aesthetics.

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

JZ : I suggest young designers explore their cultural background.

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

JZ : I think whehter they have philosophical thinking.

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

JZ : I like the work that can inspire people. Because it's interesting and can inspire people to think more.

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

JZ : Good design can satisfy people's spiritual needs. Everyone has their own preferences, so they deserve the design they like.

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

JZ : I design the furniture. I design for companies or people who share my interests.

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

JZ : My dream project is do some research and experiments on a new material and new form.

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

JZ : My secret recipe and secret ingredient of my design is Oriental Aesthetics and philosophy.

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

JZ : Issey Miyake

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

JZ : The clothes designed by Issey Miyake. His design has a strong Eastern culture, so you have to think about him.

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

JZ : May be the next one.Because I've been working hard, and I'm making progress.

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

JZ : I like oriental philosophy very much and I have been studying these books.

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

JZ : Maybe I will be a teacher.

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

JZ : On the one hand, the design meets people's spiritual needs. And on the one hand, it needs to solve some problems in life. All my designs are like that.

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

JZ : My friends who have given me help.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JZ : My experience helped me to become a great designer .

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

JZ : This obstacle may be the understanding of life.

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

JZ : Designers can take part in competitions and participate in exhibitions.

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

JZ : I'm making a set of tea room furniture. I want people use them more conveniently and feel their inner peace.

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

JZ : My ultimate goal as a designer is to push forward design history.

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

JZ : I think people expect different designs which to make them joyful, to solve life problems, and to represent their vision.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JZ : Our designs also need to be friendly to the environment and society.

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

JZ : When there is a brilliant idea, or my design realised.

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

JZ : The product design project done with space design is most satisfying to me. Because specific products also need specific space.

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

JZ : Intelligent technology will affect various industries in the next few years, including furniture.

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

JZ : I think we will pay more attention to humanities and technology on the field of design.

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

JZ : It usually takes a month to finalize a design project.

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

JZ : I'll start with the design research first.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JZ : self-discipline and social commitment

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

JZ : I think it's mutual influence. It's not sure who sets whom.

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

JZ : Technology has been running through the design. First of all, we need to use design software to express our designs, and we need technology to realize our design.

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

JZ : I used CorelDRAW and rhinoceres to express my ideas on the computer.

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

JZ : My field is furniture. The changes in color, material and ambient create completely different effects on furniture.They are part of the soul of the furniture.

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

JZ : I hope people will put forward their own requirements, and then my design will meet this requirement.

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

JZ : I'm going to have a lot of inspiration.

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

JZ : My husband is my ideal design partner. I believe in co-design.

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

JZ : Every time I encounter people who have great influence on me, I appreciate.

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

JZ : Chinese Taoist philosophy books, and some books on Ming and Qing furniture

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

JZ : I work hard to complete every work, and every project. My design ability is strengthened in the course of the project.

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

JZ : I want to meet Da Vinci. How did he have so many wonderful ideas.

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

JZ : There are many designers who have won the prize nowadays. I don't care if I'm not famous. I think it's most important to be myrself.

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

JZ : I like black and white best. I like summer and I like in subtropical cities.My favorite brand is Lssey Miyake.

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

JZ : Tell you a little secret, I will get inspiration from children's graffiti.

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

JZ : Become a designer that I like. Do the design that I like.

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

JZ : When I were a little child, it was obvious that you would become a great artist.

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

JZ : Smart technology will affect any industry in future. At that time, At that time, designer robots were everywhere. So designers are too precious to be protected.

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

JZ : My designs are the window to understand Chinese philosophy.I hope I can do it.