Yuri Lee

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yuri Lee ("YL") 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?

YL : I studied illustration and animation as a major at Kingston University and graduated in 2014. Since graduation I started to work as an illustrator and graphic designer mainly for national clients.

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

YL : When I was a kid, I always wanted to draw, paint and to work in a creative way. Illustration and graphic design is one of the most effective way for me to show the way I’d like to work.

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

YL : I chose to become a designer on my own.

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

YL : I like to design something, which is related with an interesting story and a character such as children’s picture book and graphic novel.

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

YL : I think I’m not a legend yet. I’m still on the way and need to try more in a better way. What I want to say to young designers is to be open-minded in every subject and to have diverse experience.

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

YL : I think a great designer doesn’t afraid of new challenges and is willing to collaborate on a work with people in different field.

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

YL : One of the most important point is perhaps whether it is designed for users and consumers. And whether it has something unique among other designs.

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

YL : Good design is not just selling more products but also contributing to a better life for people.

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

YL : If I have enough time I would like to make a graphic novel about an interesting story and a unique character for the young generation.

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

YL : As I said before, I hope to spend more time to make a graphic novel about the subject everyone can be in sympathy with.

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

YL : I don’t have the secret recipe of success in design. But I think passion and attitude to be ready to learn in every field is one of the most significant part of success in design.

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

YL : I admire Lisk Feng. She is already one of the most famous illustrator and graphic designer around the world. I can feel all the passion and the hard working background in her work. There is style but also a lot of skills.

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

YL : I love almost all the work of Lisk Feng. Her unique illustration style and design talent overwhelmingly inspires me.

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

YL : My favorite work is Moulin Rouge UI design. I learned a lot about UI design and new technics and feel like I grew as a better graphic designer.

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

YL : I think people should be open-minded in all aspects and need to learn from the mistakes and successes of others.

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

YL : I would be a painter.

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

YL : Design is a useful tool to express someone’s ideas, philosophies, and values.

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

YL : My family, friends, and co-workers.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

YL : To be open-minded and the attitude to learn from the mistakes of the past.

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

YL : I’m still trying to be a design master. I guess one of the biggest obstacles is low confidence on my work.

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

YL : Designers precisely need to show their design philosophies and values in their products for users and customers.

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

YL : My future project will be making a children’s picture book. I hope that it will be an exciting one.

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

YL : I hope that I would be a better graphic designer and illustrator.

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

YL : A unique style of artworks and a professional end product.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YL : Good design could help people to make their lives more beautiful and enjoyable.

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

YL : I’m currently developing a children’s picture book about the kid wearing a tuxedo. It is the project that has a strong component of drawing and illustration that excites me.

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

YL : Of my own works, Moulin Rouge UI design. I won silver a design award for the project. During making it, I could learn a lot of new design skills and UI system for consumers.

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

YL : UX/UI design in mobile experience would have more important part for designers and mobile users

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

YL : More and more people use mobile devices on their daily lives such as iphone, ipad, galaxy tab and so on. So, I think that all the design related to mobile experience would have an important role around the world.

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

YL : It depends on each project.

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

YL : I already started to research for the next project which is the children’s picture book about a kid wearing tuxedo. I’m trying to draw and sketch a lot of kid characters mainly in my house and sometimes in a cafe.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

YL : Ready to be in making exciting artworks.

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

YL : I think It’s interaction between designs and trends.

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

YL : Technology is an efficacious tool for artists to create new designs and to present it for the public around the world. New technology has affected a lot of artists, designers and even the public.

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

YL : I mainly work with Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator for artworks.

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

YL : All these elements like color and materials are a crucial part for almost every design projects. According to the ability to deal with color and materials, design results could be totally different.

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

YL : I hope that people give me a helpful feedback to develop my works better.

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

YL : I feel happy when I look at great design works. And it really inspires me to do new projects.

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

YL : It depends on each project. Sometimes, collaboration with other people would be beneficial to get better results.

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

YL : My friends at the art school. They always have supported my ideas and works.

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

YL : Lots of children’s picture book and graphic novel published by Nobrow and Flying Eye Books.

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

YL : I think practice is vital. Attitude to keep trying and not to be afraid of failure is also an important part.

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

YL : I would choose Picasso.

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

YL : It is very honored. And if you have talents, it wouldn’t be so hard to be famous.

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

YL : My favorite color is dark blue and black, my favorite place is the house with my cats, my favorite season is winter, my favorite things are my two cats and my favorite brand is apple.

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

YL : When I see a great comic book or graphic novel, it is very inspired me.

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

YL : I always wanted to be a great designer or artist since childhood but I didn’t have a confidence. However, I knew I always thought everything in a different and creative way among other people.

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

YL : In the future, the way people live would have a huge alteration because of new technology and environmental change. In my suggestion, mobile experience would be a necessary part for everyone’s lives.

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

YL : Thank you for all your curiosity.