Yuanyuan Wu

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yuanyuan Wu ("YW") 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?

YW : I got bachelor degree of graphic design in China Academy of Art and Master degree of New Media Art at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. After that, I went to London and took Art Direction course at the University of the Arts London.

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

YW : Since I was a little girl I always like drawing and making art crafts. I wanted to be a designer or an artist since I was very little.

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

YW : I choose to be a designer, if it's forced to be, I don't think I can carry on that much longer.

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

YW : I work with graphic design, packaging design, digital interface design, and cultural and creative products design etc. I wish to design more of cultural and creative products design.

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

YW : A legend takes time :) Honestly, I don't think I am a design legend yet, I think a design legend is the person like Steve Jobs, Zaha Hadid and the art director of MUJI brand Kenya Hara.

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

YW : Let the users, the audiences and the market evaluate it!

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

YW : A good design can elevate people's life. The development of human society relies on good designs.

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

YW : I would design for things that could make our society better, like products for caring children, designs for public warfare.

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

YW : I want to design and open a creative space where combines café, gym, reading place and exhibiting place where can show and sell good design products. I've thought about the name of the place already :D

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

YW : Relax and have fun! You become more creative when you are relaxed and feel happy.

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

YW : Japanese designer Kenya Hara, Paula Scher, Zaha Hadid, Steve Jobs and Elon Mask.

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

YW : Except the design projects from the above mentioned designers, I also like Scandinavian design team such as Snøhetta's work. Their work is ranging from architecture design to branding design. I like them become their design is very inspirational, chic, functional and aesthetic.

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

YW : Experience more and think more.

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

YW : Become a chef perhaps :)

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

YW : I think "design" is not simply about designing things, I think it's an important comprehansive ability of observing things, experiencing things and processing things to create something out of it. A good design must be unique and it is the personal understanding and experience from a designer: The inspiration could come from a cup of coffee, a movie, a delicious meal, an adventure or a relationship that the designer has had.

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

YW : My Mom, and all my family support me, I am lucky.

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

YW : I am working on the Chinese Zodiac series, I have already started the design for the mouse year 2020.

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

YW : To create some designs that could make the society better and let people remember it.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YW : A lot. As a designer we can do many things to help create a better society. Using design to help refugees, solving social problems, preventing environmental pollutions and creating a harmonious public space etc. I think a designer must have a social responsibility.

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

YW : The respect designer more

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

YW : Design associated with AI, robotics, wearable devices. And designs that reconnect people with the nature, or try to reduce the loneliness and bring warmness to human life.

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

YW : It depends on the scope of the project.

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

YW : Research and concept development.

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

YW : Conor plays a very important role in my design. I also care about the materials I choose to use for my design projects, I care about the crafts.

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

YW : Designing design

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

YW : Nikola Tesla, Steve Jobs, Zaha Hadid and Kenya Hara.

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

YW : Black and red Stockholm Autumn - Coz I was born in Autumn A brand- maybe Apple - during Steve Jobs time period

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

YW : I wanted to be an artistic, a painter, I thing childhood dreams influence me a lot. My childhood has never lost its magic, it has never lost its mysterious and it has never lost its drama

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

YW : Unbelievable! The future will beyond my imagination. We could time travel, we could have super nature power. Perhaps we could live as long as we wish and dance with aliens.

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

YW : Reach me by email:yuan@gochina.no I am also on WeChat, Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.