SUN JIAN

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer SUN JIAN ("SJ") 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?

SJ : My name is Sun Jian, the founder of SunDesign. I used to work for the 2008 Olympic emblem design team and worked for Japan Dentsu Corporation. I formed a unique design concept and style in the duality between brand design and advertising creation. My work won multiple design awards in Europe, Oceania, Asia and the United States. Including the best prize in the German Red Dot Award German iF Design Award American IDEA Design Award Asian Design Award Italian Design Award Australian Good Design Award German National Design Award, etc.

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

SJ : My grandmother was a teacher and I started painting after I was born. My father worked on mechanical design in the army and was very interested in design when he was very young.

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

SJ : Since I was a child, I like to draw and write about what I see. I hope I can become a designer when I grow up, so I cherish everything I have now.

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

SJ : I like thoughtful and creative works, which can be well integrated with the public.

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

SJ : Design requires hard work and diligence, to maintain an ordinary heart.

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

SJ : The current young design is a bit impetuous. This is a problem caused by society. We value the character of the designer more.

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

SJ : A good design is a new challenge every time. I like every process of creation and creative thinking. There are constantly new ideas to be applied in different environments, giving people different visual feelings while feeling like it's a standard process at the same time.

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

SJ : Good design can enhance brand image, good design can generate goodwill and purchase.

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

SJ : I promise to work 6 hours a day because I want to extend my career.

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

SJ : We are about 1 week.

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

SJ : Thinking, hand drawing, software, handmade.

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

SJ : Inspired by Chinese traditional culture lotus

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

SJ : I like styled design

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

SJ : My greatest design is the Hehe coffee mug. Combination of Chinese and Western cultures

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

SJ : Before completing different projects, you need to learn more about similar products, find out the differences, and continuously improve the design.

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

SJ : I will learn to paint.

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

SJ : Design is to help products gain the upper hand in the market.

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

SJ : I thank my grandmother and father, they are my enlightenment teacher and supporter.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SJ : Keep sticking to your goals.

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

SJ : Professional skills, software, ideas.

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

SJ : Need to express oneself.

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

SJ : Emerald Bay Resort Town

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

SJ : Can help more people in need.

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

SJ : Hope to help them solve their problems.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SJ : Cities need to be designed to improve aesthetics, rural areas need to be designed to improve life, and the environment needs to be designed to reduce pollution.

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

SJ : The world is currently facing the coronavirus, we will design for human health.

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

SJ : I'm helping the London Chinese Award design.

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

SJ : I want better designs to appear to help the product.

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

SJ : The design will be combined with different cultures and incorporate technology.

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

SJ : Need 3 years.

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

SJ : I analyze from a market perspective and use design to help brand marketing.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SJ : Attitude design.

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

SJ : Design must be thoughtful, thoughtful and solid.

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

SJ : Thinking, hand drawing, software, handmade.

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

SJ : Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, CorelDRAW, Adobe InDesign.

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

SJ : Color is used to distinguish, and material is used to touch, which is indispensable.

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

SJ : I hope everyone knows that it is my work.

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

SJ : Will be attracted and excited by good works.

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

SJ : I often complete projects by myself。

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

SJ : I have worked with many internationally renowned designers and artists, and learned a lot from them.

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

SJ : I like some literature books。

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

SJ : Keep learning in the design process, improve your skills, and observe what is happening around you.

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

SJ : I want to communicate the confusion of design with the best designers in the world.

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

SJ : Each national award has a different influence.

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

SJ : Black, white, China, hot pot, autumn, music, sports, designer's brand.

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

SJ : I think my mother always scolds me for painting, and I often paint full of illustrations.

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

SJ : I often go to places I have never been to for inspiration.

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

SJ : My grandmother was a teacher and I started painting after I was born. My father worked on mechanical design in the army and was very interested in design when he was very young.

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

SJ : There are many uncertainties in the future. Maybe the aliens will come back to the earth and work together on space design projects

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

SJ : Able to communicate more