Tairan Hao

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tairan Hao ("TH") 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?

TH : My design background is rooted in a strong academic foundation and diverse professional experiences. I earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from the California College of the Arts, where I specialized in Human-Computer Interaction and received a Faculty Award Scholarship. Following this, I pursued a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at the University of Pennsylvania, which allowed me to further develop my skills and explore the intersection of technology and art. Throughout my education, I focused on integrating new media technologies into my work, such as AI, 3D printing, and interactive installations. This academic journey provided me with a deep understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of design, shaping my approach to creating immersive and engaging art experiences​​​​​​.

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

TH : I primarily design interactive installations, animations, sculptures, and video art that merge art and technology to create immersive experiences. My work often explores themes of personal identity, social policy, and environmental issues, utilizing tools like AI, 3D printing, and projection mapping. In the future, I wish to design more large-scale interactive installations and public art projects that engage broader audiences and create more significant impact. I am particularly interested in projects that integrate emerging technologies to push the boundaries of traditional art forms and foster deeper connections between art, technology, and everyday life​​​​.

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

TH : Find innovative and inspirational ideas to develop, and work hard enough on it.

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

TH : A great designer is distinguished when people can feel the value of their work. Their works generate reciprocity between the world and the audience.

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

TH : A really good design can solve not only the problem but also has the power to communicate with people.

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

TH : My secret recipe for success in design combines curiosity, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to integrating technology with art, with the secret ingredient being empathy. I constantly explore new ideas and technologies, staying ahead of trends and pushing the boundaries of traditional design. By leveraging tools like AI, 3D printing, and interactive installations, I create immersive and engaging experiences. Understanding the needs and emotions of my audience allows me to design meaningful and resonant works. Attention to detail and resilience in overcoming challenges further contribute to my ability to create innovative and impactful designs​​​​​​.

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

TH : Neri Oxman, Oxman coined the term and pioneered the field of, Material Ecology, which considers computation, fabrication, and the material itself as inseparable dimensions of design. Her field and design attitude engaging and inspiring me to augment the relationship between built, natural, and biological environments.

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

TH : My digital and graphic design are named "CODE," recently got the NDA prize in France, the design work combined computer C++ language and sewing machine to present. This work is the biggest project for me because I did it for two years with over and over iteration. The design outcome was eventually shown into a book and consisted of four parts.

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

TH : Diversify your experience. A well-rounded design leader can wear many hats. They collect those hats by taking on responsibilities outside their design "discipline." If you are a Fashion Designer, do not be afraid to take on roles in Graphic Design. I have done Video Design, Animation Design, Graphic Design, Package Design, Toy Design, and Innovation Strategy. Without taking on all these experiences, I do not feel that I would be where I am today.

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

TH : To accomplish a particular purpose. The meaning of design is so multifaceted, to the point that you can no longer say if a universal definition is at all possible.

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

TH : I am designing an animation film for a city's situation under COVID-19, through the abstract virus models as the character to engage people to face and fight the invaders.

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

TH : "Ceramics Extension" When the audiences step into the installation space, they will sense a feeling of visual infinity. The visual interaction generates a strong feeling to the audiences that every object, everyone, everything is being extended infinitely. The interaction makes people think that they are stepping into a fantasy world that is created by themselves.

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

TH : We believe all the design field's evolution depends on the future experience of human lives. The design has the power to change people’s behavior, improve people’s living quality, and explore the possibility of life.

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

TH : The design field will be associated and collaborated more often with the technology industry because of the rapid development of technology.

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

TH : It depends on the project. New media design project usually takes longer than 3D/2D works.

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

TH : Research. I will dig into the design topic and find the potential pain points and needs of people, as well as the background research.

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

TH : It can be both. Design sets the trends when there are lots of great works that are in a similar style or concept. Trends set the designs when there is a new evolution of technology, which needs good design.

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

TH : For 2D design, I use photoshop, Illustration, XD, Sketch, keynote, and more. For 3D, I use Maya, C4D, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and more. For 4D, I use After Effect, Premiere, Maya, and more.

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

TH : Color can express the feeling of the design, while materials bring authenticity.

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

TH : I am open to any kind of question people want to ask. But I prefer people to ask me about the design process more rather than the design outcome.