Saiwen Liu

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Saiwen Liu ("SL") 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?

SL : I was born in a family that worked in design industry. I was the third generation that doing design. I like to draw since I was a little kid.I was graduated from Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology majored in architecture design.

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

SL : I would say it is family influence

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

SL : I choose to become a designer.

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

SL : interior design and architecture design

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

SL : curiosity, it is important that designer can find beauty from daily life.

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

SL : the way the designer looks the world. the great design can find beauty from the thing that we take for grant

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

SL : the originality of the design. the good design should stand the test of time.

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

SL : it is a waste of time and resource to produce a bad design.

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

SL : religious venue

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

SL : Five-star hotel or shopping complex

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

SL : do not limit yourself .keep discovering the original source of design

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

SL : Le Corbusier; Ieoh Ming Pei; kengo Kuma

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

SL : St. Mary's Cathedral by Ieoh Ming Pei; a good design can touch the soul

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

SL : The underground palace of the Wild goose pagoda.The use of colored glaze on ceiling, it has solved the problem that the space is too depressed.

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

SL : Cultivating themselves to find the beauty of daily projects

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

SL : is my passion

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

SL : Material temptation

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

SL : fashion magazine. compare to the professional magazine, fashion magazine tend to attract more people to read.

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

SL : I will produce better projects, my next design project id a factory design

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

SL : go beyond myself

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

SL : to see the aesthetic

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SL : encourage the use of renewable and environmentally friendly material

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

SL : I can apply minimalism on my work

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

SL : Tangxing No.5

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

SL : simply solution that solve complex question

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

SL : Spiritual needs

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

SL : different projects have different time

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

SL : start to visit the site and do the research

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

SL : work hard play hard

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

SL : design sets the trends

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

SL : It is an assistant tool

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

SL : 3d studio max; autocad; sketch

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

SL : can not live with either one

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

SL : about my design concept And my strong desire for environmental protection

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

SL : I do believe in co-design. but I wish the corporation is between different field.

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

SL : Religious people

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

SL : Christopher Alexander；The Timeless Way of Building

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

SL : observe the daily things

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

SL : Le Corbusier

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

SL : it helps people recognize me, and it is hard to be famous

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

SL : black and white，UK，stake，spring，tea，no brand

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

SL : I am a tea collector. I would like to enjoy a cup of good tea when I am tired

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

SL : not really, but I do like drawing since I was a kid