WANXIAO ZHANG
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Wanxiao Zhang ("WZ") 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?
WZ : Graduated from sichuan fine arts institute
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
WZ : Since childhood, I like to participate in the arrangement of the family.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
WZ : Voluntary choice
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
WZ : Private residence
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
WZ : Young designers always fail to grasp the true meaning of design and think it is a glamorous industry. Can't really experience the life of customers.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
WZ : Great designers can be remembered for a long time.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
WZ : As little as possible with commercial nature
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
WZ : Design is a philosophy and an aesthetics.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
WZ : Designed for most people
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
WZ : There is no very pure design to fulfill the dream.
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
WZ : There is no secret of success. Only persist in and love this business.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
WZ : More in their own life to experience, such as cooking process, clothing storage, how to change shoes after going home, where should the bag be placed.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
WZ : May become a lawyer
DL: How do you define design, what is design for you?
WZ : Aesthetic similarity, values close, mutual trust, and appreciation of each other
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
WZ : Students, colleagues, good design friends。The support of father and husband
DL: What helped you to become a great designer?
WZ : Not yet a master, ha, ha, ha
DL: What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
WZ : Not yet a master, ha, ha, ha
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
WZ : Not only through pictures, the subtle relationship of space, the picture is incomplete
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
WZ : Now I am designing for every family or individual. In the future, I hope I can design for most people. Can contribute to society and environmental protection
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
WZ : Not yet a master, ha, ha, ha
DL: How does design help create a better society?
WZ : The society will be full of love and harmony if you respect your heart and care more about the people around you.
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
WZ : Recently, I like studying jewelry very much. The bright and fiery colors are fascinating.
DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?
WZ : Simple, concise, self, personality, fashion
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
WZ : Usually one to two years
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
WZ : Analysis of apartment type, analysis of customers, from the perspective of consumers to consider
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
WZ : Beauty is very luxurious. It should be brought to more people.
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
WZ : Design Determines Trend
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
WZ : More convenient expression
DL: What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
WZ : Material is bone, color is skin, and environment is character.
DL: Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
WZ : Bear and Lily
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
WZ : Nakamura Yoshimitsu
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
WZ : My grandfather
DL: How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
WZ : It is difficult to do a good job. It is even more difficult to show the work and let more people know you.
DL: What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
WZ : I like white, like summer, like watermelon, miss the dry climate in my hometown and the horizon.
DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
WZ : When I was a child, my father often asked me to adjust the arrangement of furniture in my home. Also respect my idea
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
WZ : Reward yourself with a sense of accomplishment at work, travel and good food.
DL: When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
WZ : When I was a child, I watched my grandfather paint landscape paintings and the water village in his childhood dream. I think the paintbrush is the most magical, at that time there was no concept of design, just like color, like to use their own hands to show the imagination of drawing
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
WZ : One thousand years later, we will cherish the elements of nature and leisure. After all, we are animals and will respect our own animal attributes.
