Cheng Yu Lan

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Cheng Yu Lan ("CYL") 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?

CYL : My undergraduate department studied architectural design. Due to my preference for product design, I turned to product design field development, and I have six years of relevant work experience.

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

CYL : In fact, my design inspiration was very late. It was purely because I really liked the feeling of creation that I gradually developed the design profession.

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

CYL : I choose to become a designer.

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

CYL : We hope to continue to make breakthroughs and always look forward to the next project.

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

CYL : Keep learning, don't relax, this will not be the end, do what you should do.

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

CYL : A good designer has an accurate and good design, but for a great designer, in addition to that, people will want to know more about the design because of his design.

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

CYL : "Good" design is the most suitable design, no matter which aspect it is, such as use method, industrial manufacturing, brand effect, etc.

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

CYL : It can create good experiences and emotional connections.

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

CYL : I think it will be furniture, so that most people can get good and comfortable things easierly in life.

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

CYL : There isn’t too late to do our design, we do all projects that are not available on the market.

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

CYL : The reason that drove us to continue to engage in design is not only our love of work, but also our family's tolerance for us. Enjoying life, earnestly understanding, continuous learning and progress are the ways we think can be successful.

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

CYL : The design masters I have been in contact with have allowed me to gain knowledge and nutrients in all aspects.

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

CYL : For me, the environment and life I live in are the best designers, and they give me unlimited inspiration.

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

CYL : Each of my designs has the reasons and advantages that they must exist. Without their existence, there will be no subsequent designs.

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

CYL : Focus and ambition.

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

CYL : The doctor.

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

CYL : It is an attitude, a feeling, and a way of dialogue with the world.

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

CYL : Many people who appear in my life will inspire me, especially my mate, because she gets along with me day and night.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CYL : From my life and experience.

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

CYL : Umm…How should I say,I will not say that he is an obstacle, because this is the existence of motivation to move me forward.

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

CYL : Be honest by yourself and feel confident about your design because you are unique.

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

CYL : About the next project, you can expect that we will brake a new ground.

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

CYL : My ultimate goal is to hope people optimize their living standards because of design.

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

CYL : I haven't talked to them, but I expect myself to get better and better.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CYL : The design is full of temperature, and it is close to people's hearts, thus creating a better society.

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

CYL : My work has always excited me.

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

CYL : A design that resonates with emotion and experience.

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

CYL : In the future, we believe that people's requirements for design will become higher and higher. In addition to satisfying actual use and senses, more attention is paid to inner meaning, and "emotional design" will become a trend.

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

CYL : In the future, people will have more and more requirements and expectations for design, which may occur in production technology, or they may wish to have more integration with the Internet.The requirements for the interface may become more and more simplified, but they will still return to the most direct contact perception.

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

CYL : An industrial design or product design case, from conception to mass production is a very lengthy process, on average one to one and a half years.

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

CYL : Initially, there will be conceived, and then they will be executed directly. Conceived takes up most of my time, and the execution process is always completed in one go.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CYL : Enjoy the creative process. Feel the tangled and experience in the creative process. Experience the life experience that is carried out at the same time due to the entire creative process.

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

CYL : Popularity is a trend, but the design is unique. It will continue to evolve better than people can have a good experience.

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

CYL : It gives me a strong sense of security and narrative ability.

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

CYL : 3D design software and sketch for engineering.

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

CYL : They are good seasonings and accelerators, driving the role of design.They are good seasonings and accelerators, driving the role of design.

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

CYL : Why do you want to do such a design?

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

CYL : I hope I will do better myseif.

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

CYL : Ambition is the main personality trait, as it drives a person to improve.

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

CYL : If I really want to say, I think my ethnic background gives me a significant design energy. Because I am an aboriginal in Taiwan, the educational environment of the Chinese collides with my original education, and the sparks produced are an important experience in my design career.

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

CYL : The books I have come into contact with are indispensable to my design career.

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

CYL : Be humble and don't give up.

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

CYL : Dali, Hemingway, Pei

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

CYL : I am full of gratitude for the moment I won the award, but most of it is to motivate myself to come on!

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

CYL : I like dark colors, Taichung, Asian cuisine, winter, and all the surprises.

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

CYL : When discussing with young designers, it was very interesting to see their design insights.

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

CYL : Every moment in life is a source of inspiration, keeping an open mind of curiosity and accepting different ideas and cultures.

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

CYL : At that time, I just wanted to play and have fun.

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

CYL : If human don’t pay attention to environmental protection, the question of what will happen after a thousand years is worth pondering.

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

CYL : I hope they will want to know where my passion for design comes from.