TONG WEN

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer TONG WEN ("TW") 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?

TW : I learned fine arts at Parsons the New School.

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

TW : designer is my dream job, I believe no matter you have talent or not, you should do whatever you like.

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

TW : A lot of people said I didn't have talent in design, but I like it, I didn't listen to anyone, I listened to the voice in my heart.

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

TW : All kinds, graphic, user interface, product, video.

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

TW : design and think.

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

TW : good designer can produce excellent design outcome. Great designer can inspire other designers.

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

TW : Whether it solves the design question.

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

TW : it solves the problem, brings the beauty. Because we all want our world gets better.

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

TW : I would design something not existing in this world yet. Definitely design for myself first.

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

TW : I would love to design a new kind of lifestyle, it could be customizable.

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

TW : think, think, think, think about the design.

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

TW : I like behance and dribbble where I can reach out to a lot of designers with multiple backgrounds

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

TW : I really like MUJIRUSHIRYOYHIN Wall Bluetooth Speaker. It is simple, elegant and natural.

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

TW : All of my design works are great in some perspective, otherwise I won't deliver them. They are great because they solve the design problems.

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

TW : Think after design is important. Designers have to think about design in different ways.

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

TW : I would be an artist.

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

TW : Design is always about solving problem in the most proper way, creativity is important, because usually, the solution is not existing.

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

TW : My friends, my family and my peers. Sometimes you may feel you fail and you can't do it, no one is confident all the time.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TW : Keep designing, and thinking.

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

TW : Sometimes I felt I couldn't provide a satisfied result to my clients, I may feel frustrated and doubt whether I have the capability to provide good design.

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

TW : They should present the work in the most proper way which means they should understand who they are present the work to, and think in their shoes.

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

TW : A business product, I don't know, I will I can publish more articles in the future.

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

TW : I hope I can come up with some design theories which will inspire other designers.

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

TW : people have high expectation to designers, which is good and bad. No one is perfect, we should admit that.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TW : Design is always about figuring out how to proceed so that the goal can achieve.

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

TW : I am very excited about the product redesign I am doing now, when examining the design in the past, I can see I grow a lot and the design can be improved.

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

TW : Design work can always be better, being satisfied about a design is dangerous.

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

TW : I hope there could be more design communities.

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

TW : Design field is heading smoothly right now, I hope new technology can stimulate design move fast.

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

TW : It depends on the complexity level of the project

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

TW : Research, always.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TW : Stay hungry, stay foolish

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

TW : They influence each other.

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

TW : They influence each other.

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

TW : Most time, sketch.

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

TW : It is like food to a cook

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

TW : Which part do you think you can improve.

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

TW : I wonder what is the thinking process.

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

TW : Someone honest and creative. Yes, sure.

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

TW : A lot, hard to pick the most. My colleagues, my clients, those great designers.

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

TW : The Design of Everyday Things

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

TW : Don't afraid of failure, learn from mistakes

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

TW : Steve Jobs.

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

TW : Yes, you have to produce the design appreciated by most people in the field otherwise it is hard to be recognized.

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

TW : I like all kinds of those things, don't reject anything new, new things can inspire designers.

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

TW : I learned why I made the mistake or I learned how I can be successful.

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

TW : Not at all, people always say you don't have talent. Actually, talent doesn't matter. Do whatever you like matters.

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

TW : Future will be better than today, it is hard to imagine, but I am pretty sure it would be surprising.

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

TW : Design is not mysterious, everyone can be a designer if you want.