Li Yu Chen

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Li Yu Chen ("LYC") 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?

LYC : I have been a designer for over 30 years. I also have been teaching and conducting research in architecture and interior design for more than 30 years. I have a Ph.D. in Design at Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. I received my B. Archi. And M. Archi. In Architecture from Tamkang University, New Taipei City, Taiwan. It has been my passion to work as an architect and interior designer.

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

LYC : I love DESIGN. I have a passion to bring something good in our daily life.

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

LYC : I decided to be a designer when I was a young boy.

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

LYC : My academic research focuses on cultural creativity, narrative design, and universal design. With the focus on the above-mentioned field, I always have a passion for architectural and interior design with cultural significance.

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

LYC : Explore the world.

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

LYC : A good designer delivers good design. A great designer fulfills the void of space with aesthetics, functionality, and cultural significance, providing environmentally friendly materials are applied.

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

LYC : A good design should reveal the aesthetics, reflect perceptuality, provide culture reflection, and pay attention to environmental sustainability.

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

LYC : A good design creates resonance with human life and leads to a better future for human society.

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

LYC : Dare to envision and be patient to listen.

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

LYC : Ieoh Ming Pei

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

LYC : I like the works of Ieoh Ming Pei. I like the Grand Louvre, Paris, NCAR, and the new Mesa Laboratory for the National Center for Atmospheric Research outside Boulder, Colorado. He challenged himself to make the buildings exist in harmony with their natural surroundings.

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

LYC : “New Age Transformation” is a great design in 2019. The design took care of the cultural significance of the abandoned factory. The design technique “architecture within architecture” enriches the original space while its beauty derived from time is kept.

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

LYC : A teacher.

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

LYC : Design is about the reflection of perceptuality. I wish my design can tell a story by itself through the plan and layout which bring in natural and enlightening interaction with people.

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

LYC : “New Age Transformation” is one of the projects that I am very satisfied with. The design offers a cultural significance for the abandoned space and takes care of the issue of environmental sustainability.

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

LYC : I expect designers in the industry to pay more attention to materials and the issue of sustainability. We all need to do that in the critical time of our world.

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

LYC : In a world of 5G and 6G, I see that the design industry will continue to grow, expand its influence on other industries and fields of life, and cooperate with different new technology.

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

LYC : Depending on how big the project is. I would say that 6 months minimum is required.

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

LYC : I start with research on the project.

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

LYC : Autocad, Sketchup.

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

LYC : It is a design with outstanding modeling, functionality, and environmentally friendly materials.