Xia Ke

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Xia Ke ("XK") 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?

XK : When I was a child, I experienced a lot of hardships in rural life. After entering the university, I changed my career from oil painting to design. I also worked in the fields of medicine, real estate and so on. Finally, I chose the food industry.

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

XK : Initially, driven by work, I aimed to perfect the designs I created. Eventually, it became a habit, and I started to enjoy the process.

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

XK : My dream was to become an artist. However, due to the need to find a job, I was compelled to enter the design industry.

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

XK : During my 30 - year design career, I focused more on graphic design in the first decade. In the subsequent 20 years, I developed an interest in architecture, conducted in - depth research, and gradually began to engage in the design and development of industrial parks.

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

XK : As long as you find the right path, you needn't fear a long journey.

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

XK : An excellent designer has good expressiveness, while a great designer possesses creativity.

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

XK : A good design has depth and can be understood by users. Meanwhile, commercial design needs to achieve commercial conversion, rather than being just a simple visual display.

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

XK : Good design can bring spiritual pleasure to people and trigger emotional resonance. The original intention of design is to make things more beautiful. When all things develop towards beauty, our world will become a better place.

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

XK : I will design an art gallery for myself, where I'll display my works of ink painting, calligraphy, packaging, and architecture.

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

XK : I want to own a design art gallery of my own.

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

XK : Learn, research, fall in love, and persevere.

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

XK : In packaging design, I love all the outstanding packaging designs around the world. In architectural design, I'm particularly fond of Antonio Gaudi, Le Corbusier, Jørn Utzon, Frank Owen Gehry, and Heatherwick.

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

XK : For example, Antonio Gaudi's Sagrada Familia and Casa Milà.

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

XK : According to general standards, the design of Zhangren Workshop (Daoist rice crispy candy) is quite successful. From "hair standing on end in anger" to "bearing the aura of an immortal", it uses the wrapping of a piece of paper to metaphorize the process of a person's spiritual cultivation and transformation.

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

XK : Maintain long - term learning and practical abilities.

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

XK : An artist

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

XK : Design is a creative job that can add value in terms of functionality, visual appeal, emotional impact, premium pricing, and overall performance.

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

XK : Life (responsibility to the family, responsibility as a boss).

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

XK : Love for innovation and unique thinking.

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

XK : I adhere to my original creative ideas, but unexpectedly, they are similar to the so - called international styles recognized by the public, which makes me less understood. If I always stick to the Chinese style, people may say it's not fashionable just because there are no English elements, perhaps due to the lack of cultural confidence in the past.

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

XK : Find a good platform and channels to actively promote myself.

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

XK : Create my own product brand through my creativity and turn it into a listed company.

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

XK : When I gain others' recognition, I can also learn to tolerate and understand the world.

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

XK : People always expect me to deliver excellent works while offering me the lowest possible fees.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

XK : Designers should maintain a positive attitude towards life, which in turn helps create a better society.

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

XK : I am currently designing a super IP factory for a global brand's integrated rural industry development model.

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

XK : In terms of architectural design, we're quite satisfied with the design of the Yinhongzishu·Wolfberry Manor. It's a large - scale project that came after 15 years of continuous collaboration between my partner, Teacher Tang, and me. As for brand design, we're also very pleased with the packaging design of Zhangfei Beef. This design has accompanied the brand for 20 years. All of these are things that we hold very dear.

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

XK : I hope all designers don't blindly worry about the arrival of AI. Instead, use it as a tool. What we should really think about is whether our thinking and creativity can keep up with the times.

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

XK : Design should be more user - centered and human - oriented. For example, we should pay attention to the daily lives and dietary habits of the elderly, as well as the mental health of children.

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

XK : It takes about 20 days to complete a single - item design project. For large - scale projects, the time can range from three months to three years.

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

XK : When taking on a new project, one should immerse themselves in the project's actual requirements to gain a real - life understanding.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

XK : As long as you find the right path, you needn't fear a long journey.

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

XK : Design leads the trends. Trends are created by design.

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

XK : Technology can present our creative ideas in a more astonishing and perfect way.

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

XK : Apple computers, photoshop and AI.

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

XK : Colors can shape the environment, and materials can enhance the texture of the environment. Conversely, the environment can also influence colors and co - exist with materials.

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

XK : To ask some questions related to creative thinking.

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

XK : Can I achieve even greater heights?

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

XK : An ideal design partner is someone who can fully understand your expressions and respects each other.

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

XK : Great clients and fellow professionals have really affected my designs a lot.

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

XK : Biographies and documentaries.

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

XK : Keep studying everything that feels new to you.

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

XK : kebuxiye and Gaudi.

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

XK : It's easy to win awards, hard to be famous, but not necessarily famous.

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

XK : Red and black, Nice in France,potatoes and Sweet potatoes, autumn, daydreaming, Issey Miyake.

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

XK : Once when a client asked me a question about architecture, I turned an ashtray upside down and said to the client, "If you scale this up 500 times, it will be a very beautiful building." Since then, we've started a 20 - year - long cooperation.

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

XK : Set a consistent schedule for your hobbies, such as writing, making friends, painting, or design.

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

XK : No. When I was a child, I knew I liked painting and thought my future might be related to it.

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

XK : I believe that 1000 years later, I'll definitely remember the situation of my reincarnation.