Lihsing Wang

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Lihsing Wang ("LW") 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?

LW : I have a master's degree in Industrial design from Pratt Institute and a bachelor's degree from National Taiwan University same major. I was born in a family full of art and design, my father who is also an Industrial designer influenced me a lot, and my mother is an oil painter artist taught me how art can shape the world.

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

LW : Initially, is my family educated me on what design and art are, and I later grew more interested in them.

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

LW : Kind of both.

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

LW : Design products that serve a purpose.

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

LW : Work hard and play harder. Make a fine plan before starting your work.

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

LW : Good designer product useful products help people live easier, a great designer's work made people reflect on living.

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

LW : People are still using this design for many years or even generations, the timeless classic design.

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

LW : A good design introduces a good style of living. It educates users for a better life.

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

LW : Mindful product for everyone.

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

LW : Create a spaceship.

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

LW : Think outside of the box.

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

LW : My father.

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

LW : Moka pot.

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

LW : The Body Voice project took 12 months to deliver the final model, it took me a lot of time to polish its design and forms.

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

LW : A writer.

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

LW : Design is making tools. These tools make people's lives better.

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

LW : My family.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LW : Practice, hard work, and a little piece of luck.

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

LW : Be clear and transparent for themself and their users.

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

LW : A series of new HomeGoods design sales is coming up next year, let's keep in touch.

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

LW : To design a product that changes the world.

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

LW : You would begin to see things differently and think from various prescriptive.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LW : Design change how people live then shapes society.

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

LW : The algorithm adds design and digital fabrication are two themes I'm currently working on.

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

LW : Every design.

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

LW : More empathy to users.

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

LW : A fusion and cross-field profession.

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

LW : It depends. Usually three months.

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

LW : Search for similar excited or relevant products.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LW : Make a plan before starting your work.

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

LW : Assistance, an extension of myself.

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

LW : Rhino 3D, Grasshopper, Fusion360.

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

LW : The soul of design.

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

LW : I'd like to know the process behind your design.

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

LW : How does the designer think to come up with this idea?

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

LW : I'd like to work as a team, people with various personalities provoke great ideas.

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

LW : My father.

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

LW : The Work of Art in the Age of Its Technological Reproducibility, and Other Writings on Media by Walter Benjamin

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

LW : Work hard and never give up.

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

LW : The future myself.

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

LW : No, everyone has their five mins.

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

LW : Black, blue, and white. Japan. Winter. New Year. West elm.

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

LW : Doing design is always fun and joy.

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

LW : Stay curious about everything and keep learning new skills.

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

LW : The near future is predictable. But the future in thousand years from now is hard to say.

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

LW : There will be a new product lunch next early year 2022, keep in touch.