Dong Han

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Dong Han ("DH") 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?

DH : I was advanced study in the department of decoration, Beijing Institute Of Fashion Technology. In 2005, I served as the director of Michael jewelry research center of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. I founded own studio in 798 in 2006 and has been engaged in the creation of artistic jewelry and sculpture ever since.

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

DH : I like creative work very much.

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

DH : I took the initiative to do the work, though it was not easy

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

DH : Good design comes from the heart.

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

DH : If I had time I would create something I liked

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

DH : Having a very wide space allows me to create works as I wish.

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

DH : take a lots of focused, and then emotionally invested in the materials that you're using, turning those materials into signs of life.

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

DH : I like artifacts from prehistoric cultures very much, and I was inspired by the modern sculptor Henry Moore.

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

DH : My greatest works are jewelry "mother and child", and the sculpture "cave man" I just finished. I feel happiness when i watching them.

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

DH : Creativity comes from love and dedication.

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

DH : My mother, who died, and my wife, who is with me now, is my biggest supporter.

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

DH : For environmental and economic reasons, creative work cannot be sustained.

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

DH : My next project is the sculpture creation, which always brings unexpected surprises to others.

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

DH : I hope my art works can be collected by the museum and can be seen by more people.

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

DH : People always say to me; Stick to your original style and create more new works.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

DH : On May 18, 2019, we are doing an activity exhibition, Ruralmix: Cookie House. The theme is to highlight the theme of humanity in the 21st century, a core value of quality life of art, and to show the environmental awareness of idyllic, original ecology, art of life and ecological aesthetics in a creative way.

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

DH : It takes about 3-5 months to complete a sculpture.

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

DH : Yes, good design sets trends.

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

DH : Rudolf Arnheim,' art and visual perception 'and 'visual thinking'.

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

DH : I hope to meet the sculptors broncusi and Henry Moore

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

DH : Winning an international award is the greatest honor and the best gift to your wife and children

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

DH : I wake up in the morning and realize that I'm going to work and that my work is waiting for me, and I walk home in the evening and listen to music, and you realize that there are endless journeys, so beautiful.

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

DH : When I was in grade 8, I won the first prize of fine arts for middle school students in the city.I feel special because I like and fear things that other people don't.

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

DH : I'm a little pessimistic about the future. Human vanity makes them want to control everything. I see that in the next thousand years we will return, revering nature as we do in matriarchal societies.

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

DH : Yes, I participated in two categories this time, jewelry and sculpture, both of which won prizes. I hope fans can know about some of my other jewelry and sculpture works.