Haolai Francis Zhou

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Haolai Francis Zhou ("HFZ") 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?

HFZ : I had totally 10 years graphic designer experience, and I love the fine art as well, especially Illustration, Sketch, Oil painting and so on.

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

HFZ : Never thought about a graphic designer until move to college. I found out that there is another simple, straight forward art language to do storytelling, and voice out for people, and World—Graphic Design.

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

HFZ : Yes, I chose to be a designer.

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

HFZ : Brand Identity System, and Illustrated visual communication

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

HFZ : Stay thinking, stay drawing, and free up your deep thoughts.

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

HFZ : Experience, and thinking.

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

HFZ : 3-seconds rule—understand the core message of the design in 3 second.

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

HFZ : A good communication, a better visual language could change people's live.

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

HFZ : Posters, for the people, and community of the World.

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

HFZ : 3-seconds rule—understand the core message of the design in 3 second.

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

HFZ : Paul Rand

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

HFZ : Sketching and thinking.

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

HFZ : A fine artist.

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

HFZ : A way to tell you how to thinking.

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

HFZ : Everyone in my life.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

HFZ : Put an eye on the world.

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

HFZ : Changing the World, and make it better.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HFZ : Telling more and more good story, and lead people to the new World.

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

HFZ : Sketching my initial ideas.

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

HFZ : They both happened at the same time.

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

HFZ : Adobe Creative, iPad Pro.

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

HFZ : Just do it.

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

HFZ : No, you never know you will be a designer until you experienced more and more in your life.

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

HFZ : The man always in Chaos.