LI XINLIN

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer LI XINLIN ("LX") 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?

LX : I was born in Jiangsu,China. I was influenced by the traditional culture of my hometown. When I grew up, I went to Korea to study. I just graduated from Seoul University, majoring in design. I’m very interested in the areas like Graphic/Typographic / Newmedia.

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

LX : I’ve been painting since I was a kid, and I’ve got a mind of my own. I always enjoy the sense of accomplishment of creative praise by others and have also been yearning for the free attitude to life of artists.

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

LX : If I have to choose a job to survive, I consider the job of designer is the perfect match for me, and the closest to my ideal lifestyle.

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

LX : My design mainly focuses on Visual, but I don’t expect my ideas to be limited by ”software/tools”, so I’m experimenting with a variety of methods. Now I’m trying to combine new “science and technology”.

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

LX : First Choose what you really like and stick to it. Enjoy the pleasures of design.

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

LX : Some designers have great ideas but the operational capability limits the idea. Some designers have a good foundation, but they lack the design taste, subject to the limitations of creativity. If one can have all these abilities at once, he will become an artist rather than just a good designer.

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

LX : A really good design doesn’t require a lot of additional notes. No matter where you are, a good design can be found without any bragging rights.

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

LX : A good design can be as profitable as classic works of art and it can also be widely used and reproduced in public society. The two can coexist.

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

LX : I hope that I can have the opportunity to do some design for the weak of the society and I’m eager to save people still living in pain through my own design.

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

LX : Do something for the people around me, starting with parents.

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

LX : I’ve always been thinking about how to be different, try to change my habits, break out of what I do well in and get out of my comfort zone. Meanwhile I’ve been trying to carry on the creation, combining with my own cultural background.

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

LX : I think everyone can be a master of design, depending on how we find these advantages.

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

LX : I don’t like to stick to a certain type or scope. I appreciate a lot of different works of designers. I enjoy a design that has much meaning, not just the surface of the gorgeousness.

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

LX : Every piece of my work is like my own "child", although it may seem to others that it has a lot of shortcomings. I believe that my best work is my "next" work, and I expect my new work to be recognized.

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

LX : Broaden their knowledge and be happy to do design at the same time.

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

LX : There is no hypothesis, because I am already a designer.

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

LX : From my point of view, everyone has a design behavior, and the designer just receives more professional training. A true master of design requires talent and hard work.

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

LX : My advisors and my parents.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LX : The love of design and a constant commitment to it.

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

LX : When we pursue our dreams, we will encounter many practical problems, such as survival problems, emotional problems and so on. All our lives, we've been dealing with problems.

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

LX : A designer should be like a salesman sometimes.

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

LX : On the background of traditional culture, I will continue to devote to "science and technology" and "Art" integration.

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

LX : Make myself rich by design, and then be able to help all the people who are having a hard time. Plus, I want my design to be remembered.

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

LX : When you feel happy, you can also bring happiness to others

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LX : Before you become a good designer, first become a kind person, then the design will be kind.

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

LX : I am imparting my experience and design ideas to a new generation of designers.

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

LX : For example, the work of protecting the environment, the design of recycling and the design of the social weak. These let me really feel that I have improved the world.

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

LX : I want to reduce the number of designs that are only for profit and make those that are really good mainstream.

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

LX : The design in the future will be closely connected with "science and technology"

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

LX : Days, weeks, even months.

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

LX : I will first communicate with the client , start from the real understanding of customers’ needs, and try to think about every problem as a client.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LX : The world changes ideas. Ideas change the world.

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

LX : Art and politics are always intertwined, so design changes with the influence of the Times.

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

LX : “Technology” is the basis of design.

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

LX : I'll be more creative about changing the tools I use, and even try to learn new ones. It's not just PS, AI, C4D, it's probably grasshopper, processing, etc.

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

LX : They are all very important, because every detail determines the quality of the design.

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

LX : I hope that they can care about what the designer really thinks through their work.

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

LX : I would be curious about the background and experience of the designer, the technology used in the work, and the story behind the design.

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

LX : There are very few ideal design partners, and the best combination is likely to be a couple. Instead of looking for a partner, maybe I should solve the singlehood problem.

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

LX : When I talk to famous designers, it helps me a lot.

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

LX : <A HISTORY OF MODERN DESIGN> <A HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN>

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

LX : Keep learning new techniques and try to do things I’m not good at.

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

LX : I wanted to meet Joseon Sejong and learn about what he went through when he created Korean.

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

LX : I think there should be more awards like "a' DESIGN AWARD ". The staff and judges in "A' DESIGN AWARD" are very professional, and the evaluation system makes me admire Italy very much. Because of the dedication of the members of "a' DESIGN AWARD, " we have a chance to succeed.

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

LX : I like beige and gray, natural environment, seafood, travel, and MUJI.

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

LX : I once told a client of mine that I thought the ideal outcome was "to create a design that satisfied both the client and the designer. ". The words touched him deeply.

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

LX : I like to visit libraries and bookstores for inspiration.

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

LX : I miss that time when I was a child very much. At that time I didn’t have too many worries or think about their future. I just lived a simple and happy life.

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

LX : The combination of "science and technology" and "Art" is the trend of the future. Science and technology will be integrated into our lives, and will not be detected at all.

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

LX : I want people not just to know my work, but to be interested in my life, how I really feel and what I've been through.