Ren Xiaoyu

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ren Xiaoyu ("RX") 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?

RX : I studied in China and got a bachelor of fine arts.

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

RX : My interest in art and love of life make me a designer.

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

RX : I choose to become a designer.

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

RX : My design cover interior, architecture and furniture.

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

RX : I would advise young designers to travel and observe life.

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

RX : Good designers satisfy customers, great designers satisfy the world.

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

RX : Beautiful, practical and material saving.

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

RX : Good design can make customers like the brand more, and increase the commercial value and social significance.

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

RX : If I had time, I would design for poor people, because I think design should be democratic and poor people should enjoy good design.

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

RX : A group of buildings in nature.

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

RX : Travel frequently and enjoy observing life.

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

RX : Le Corbusier, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Zaha Hadid, ect.

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

RX : I like architectures designed by Tadao Ando, He used materials very sparingly.

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

RX : My greatest design is the next work.

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

RX : Travel and get to know different cultures.

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

RX : Cook, because I love cooking. Food is also my work, can make a lot of people like it.

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

RX : Design is practical art, the art category for human life service under the guidance of aesthetic theory.

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

RX : My family.

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

RX : I need to design more good works.

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

RX : Designers should present their work by authoritative design magazines, design awards and events.

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

RX : My next design project is a interesting buildings, I will share with you more excellent works.

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

RX : As a designer, my ultimate goal is to promote democratic design, let more poor people enjoy good design works.

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

RX : People expect my work to take into account the environmental and social impact.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

RX : Democratic design, let more poor people enjoy good design works.

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

RX : I'm really excited to do something challenging.

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

RX : The next work.

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

RX : More and more democratic design, design can really focus on ordinary people.

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

RX : Democratic design.

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

RX : Two months to six months.

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

RX : Understanding your customers' needs.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

RX : Democratic design, not only design for people, but also for nature and society

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

RX : I think great design sets the trends.

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

RX : Technology can efficiently achieve what the design wants.

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

RX : AutoCAD，3Dmax，SketchUp，Photoshop

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

RX : They are good partners in design and should be respected.

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

RX : My design philosophy.

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

RX : Think of great artistic value.

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

RX : My colleague is my ideal design partner, Yes, I believe in co-design.

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

RX : “Le Voyage d'Orient” by Le Corbusier.

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

RX : Concentration.

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

RX : Leonardo da Vinci.

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

RX : It takes hard work and luck to become famous.

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

RX : My favorite color is white. favorite place is hometown, favorite food is cooked wheaten food, favorite season is autumn, favorite thing is a gift from my son.

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

RX : When I was a child, I liked to dismantle furniture and appliances in my home, which could not be recovered after being dismantled. However, my parents tolerated and encouraged me. They thought that this was my interest and should not stop me, That's probably why I like design.

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

RX : For the love of life, so we learn more careful to observe the life of boyhood, then use their own hands to change all can be changed.

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

RX : I don't know, but I've always loved design and painting since I was a kid.

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

RX : Maybe in the future, scientists and designers will be the only two professions to create dreams.

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

RX : I wish my fans to know my design philosophy and works