Luo Dan - DDA

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Luo Dan - DDA ("LD-D") 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?

LD-D : Sure.Well,I have been studied art since high school.I graduated from Changsha University of Science & Technology(CUST) as an art & design major student.After graduation,I continued my further study in this field in Polytechnic University of Milan（POLIMI）and got my master degree in 2012.

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

LD-D : I've always been crazy about art and design,I got satisfaction by achieve good designs.Honestly,designing makes me happy.Yeah...I've always dreamed to become a good designer since I know I'm in love with art and design.

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

LD-D : Of course I chose to be a designer,it’s been my dream job since i was in school.

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

LD-D : Hotel design.

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

LD-D : Keep learning and do well what is worthy right now.

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

LD-D : A great designer is not only good at designing,but also a life photographer,a wisdom thinker.

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

LD-D : Design originality,functional practicality,design materials

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

LD-D : A good design brings attention and investments, and also bring benefits more easily and faster.

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

LD-D : I design hotels,my clients would be well-known brand management companies and stable investors.

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

LD-D : Four season hotel.

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

LD-D : Insist on my design style and always keep learning.

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

LD-D : Ieoh Ming Pei

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

LD-D : Glass Pyramid.

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

LD-D : Wyndham Grand Foshan.The lobby design is unique and magnificent with exquisite details and fine craft and technology.And the solar wind-power system is another design success.

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

LD-D : A designer must keep learning new knowledge and technology,experience as much culture as possible and keep thinking.I always like reading book and traveling around the world as much as I can.

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

LD-D : I would be an artist.

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

LD-D : Design is a creative and inspiring work,it’s a great way to turn those creative ideas into reality,just like making dreams come true,it’s all about innovation,beauty,speciality,practicality.Design can truly improve life quality,change our life style.

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

LD-D : My teachers at school and those design masters I learned from.My family is my biggest supporters.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LD-D : Learning from others and the past,different life experiences helped me have a better understanding of different cultures.

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

LD-D : how to keep creative ideas and design originality.

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

LD-D : keep your own design styles.

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

LD-D : Howard Johnson Hotel Qujing,Yunnan.I plan to build more subsidiary companies both in China and abroad.

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

LD-D : To achieve more excellent design and improve life standards.

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

LD-D : More great works.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LD-D : Design helps to improve people’s life qualities and the living environment.

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

LD-D : Howard Johnson Hotel Qujing,Yunnan.

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

LD-D : Wyndham Grand Foshan.Because it’s a huge and challenging project and it’s China’s top 10 city landmark.

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

LD-D : I would say that design is developing into more common thing in life,and the technology is helping more in this field.

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

LD-D : I think it could be used in any industry.

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

LD-D : Around 4 months for hotels,sometimes even more.

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

LD-D : I usually start from concept scheme design.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LD-D : Do what is worthy and do well.

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

LD-D : Well，sometimes design can become a fashion,and sometimes trends can decide what design is needed.

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

LD-D : It’s very important and helpful.

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

LD-D : CAD,Photoshop,BIM,3D MAX,SketchUp.

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

LD-D : It’s the basic elements for design.

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

LD-D : what’s special about my design.

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

LD-D : I want to know what’s great part of this design and learn from it.

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

LD-D : my best partners are my team.Co-design is a good way to save time sometimes.

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

LD-D : I think every clients helps me to become better.

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

LD-D : A Galaxy of World Brands Hotels.

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

LD-D : Keep learning and experience more.

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

LD-D : Ieoh Ming Pei

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

LD-D : Well,I’m enjoying my design and it’s not easy to stand out in this huge industry,it’s time-consuming and needs hard work.

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

LD-D : black and white,summer,my own design,my own brand

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

LD-D : Keep learning and experience more.

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

LD-D : I would say yes.

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

LD-D : Design is becoming more common and specific.With the economical development,people are pursuing more higher life standards and qualities,which can bring design a new higher level,I think we would see more design in the future,in every industry,even daily life requests design.

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

LD-D : Just visit my website:www.luodandesign.com