Yuxi Liu

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yuxi Liu ("YL") 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?

YL : I began my undergraduate studies in graphic design at SVA - School of Visual Arts in New York. I set up my own design studio after my undergraduate, and I did a lot of freelance jobs. The clients include but are not limited to Tencent, NYEAA, ESOCCO, MAGA, MacDella Cooper Foundation, ShaynaRose Interiors, etc. Later, I continued my Master's Studies at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn USA. During these 6 years of study and design, I fell madly in love with design and art. And, I always believed I am a talented designer. After I graduated, I got my first full-time job in a Design Agency in New York, and I have been working here for 3 years now. I was responsible for the leading design of our creative group and led the designers to complete many excellent design projects

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

YL : My trajectory as a designer and artist started when I was 5 years old. As a child, my love for the arts was expressed through freehand drawing, classical piano, and dancing lessons. I continued my interest. I have ever been a lover of art and becoming a designer provides me to express all my feelings and my artistic side through my artwork.

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

YL : My choices follow my heart and instinct.

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

YL : My professional interests and capabilities include digital design, UI/UX design, visual identity design, product and packaging design, and campaign and environmental design.

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

YL : The balance between aesthetics and function is the premise of a good design. Know the intent of the project, whether it meets the needs of the user, and whether it respects and harmonizes the surrounding environment. Be brave, do what you love, and stick to it. Young people should not be afraid of making mistakes, and hesitation is the source of pain.

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

YL : A great designer exceeds all the expectations of the clients.

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

YL : A good design could be improved and adjusted many times. The user’s needs and the project’s intention are the design premises, Check the design to see whether it balances the aesthetics and function.

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

YL : A good design gives back the investment through functionality, aesthetics, and a positive impact on society.

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

YL : I will design a series of interesting and interactive device designs, a series of sculptures or devices that make people think beautiful and positive, and a series of designs that can release the pressure people. so that people can experience happiness and fun in interaction with the design.

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

YL : Keep your mind fresh and open to endless inspiration and imagination. Try different creative visual experiments and have fun with design.

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

YL : Dieter Rams, Stefan Sagmeister

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

YL : Design for love. Design to solve problems, design to make society better, and design to make people happier.

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

YL : I guess I might open a coffee shop or a bakery

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

YL : The design has already become a part of my life. Observe the new world through the perspective of design.

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

YL : My mom has always supported my dreams unconditionally. She has cherished every piece of my work since I was a child. Her support and love gave me great motivation.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

YL : My interests, talents, hard work, and persistence

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

YL : My design life seems like a process of breaking through and an exploratory journey to me. The birth of good design work is just like life, which involves repeated failures, self-struggle, and re-starts. Failure is frustrating and painful, but it is also the premise of success. When I was a young visual artist, I focused on the aesthetics and artistic effects of the design but ignored the functionality and rationality of the design, which leads to a lack of logic and depth in my works. I began to read the autobiographies of some artists and research the design experiences of some famous designers. Dieter Rams’s 10 good design principles have had the greatest impact on me. I realized that a good designer should be comprehensive, and good work should really solve the problem. Functional, innovative, and aesthetic, all three are indispensable elements of a good design. According to this methodology, my design process is more directional and valuable. Now I am an experienced designer. That is still an unforgettable experience for me. It was also a turning point in my design career.

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

YL : When designer presents their work, people can better understand the concept and idea of design, and at the same time, the designer can get many helpful comments to help improve the work.

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

YL : I always seek innovative approaches to convey values and messages through the power of design. In the future, I hope to continue to deepen my design attainments and abilities. Exposure to different areas of design projects, including but not limited to product design, interior design, and UI/UX design. I hope I can set up my own design company in the near future.

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

YL : People may expect creativity, boldness, and dedication on new projects.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YL : A good design is always in touch with our soul and positively impacts society through the works. I hope my creative work will bring energy and joy to people's lives and contribute to a healthier world. At the same time, I hope some of my product and service designs can serve the target group well. A good designer is also a problem solver, and I want my designs to provide more effective functionality while providing aesthetics.

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

YL : I am working on a new beauty brand in progress for a famous American actress.

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

YL : I love learning about new technologies and trying to apply them to my artwork. I believe that the progress of technology can serve designers to present their works better. I created "Dear Home Museum, " a constantly updated interior design virtual exhibition during the pandemic. My goal is to increase people's interest and ability in interior design. Dear Home as a virtual museum platform brings endless Interior design inspirations and ideas; The museum has a unique, fun design learning program that allows people to experience the fun of design in a game. Participants can create a virtual space on the platform, exhibit their original interior design works, and share their stories in different display forms. I believe design is not out of reach, everyone can do their home design. The museum is also an educational platform to show new design inspirations and to express people's love for home. participants can get design inspiration, elevate design passion and skills, and build personal design styles on the platform. ​

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

YL : I´d like to see an increase in the numbers of sustainable packaging, and new technologies of materials.

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

YL : The increasing focus on user-centered design prioritizes the needs and preferences of end-users. Designers are placing greater emphasis on understanding user behavior and feedback, and designing products and services that meet their needs and expectations. And artificial intelligence will be a great assistant to help the designer create better artwork.

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

YL : It depends on the kind of project. It could be from 1week- 3months

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

YL : Hand sketching is the very first part of the design process. My design habit is to spend most of my energy on brainstorming and sketching. Before starting the design, I should fully develop my inspiration and brain. In the design experiment, from a variety of ways to try. Different combinations of media and materials can create different effects. In terms of effective presentation, the design's functional, aesthetic, and creative aspects should be considered and measured. Design is constantly changing and reflecting to become better and better.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

YL : Less but better, Design with purpose

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

YL : I really think a great design sets the trends.

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

YL : Digital design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema4D, and Figma allow designers to create and iterate on designs quickly and easily

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

YL : Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema4D, and Figma, Keyshot

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

YL : The color and materials are very important to complement a good design. The design picture is composed of points, lines and surfaces, and the color determines the balance and tonality of the picture. The perfect combination of color and material can make the work more complete

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

YL : I feel inspired and happy for this excellent work and its designer.

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

YL : I don´t have an ideal design partner, but I believe in co-design as an opportunity of expanding the project ideas.

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

YL : Some great designers I am working with.

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

YL : “Ten Principles for Good Design” by Dieter Rams

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

YL : Maintain the ability to explore and learn new things, learn new software and technology, and welcome to different suggestions and comments.

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

YL : I want to talk with myself 10 years ago. I want to encourage the young me" Be brave, do what you love, and stick to it. Young people should not be afraid of making mistakes, and hesitation is the source of pain"

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

YL : I am grateful for the award. Being famous is temporary, just like our whole life. So now is the most important time, my heart is full of gratitude and happiness.

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

YL : Blue, Home, cake, Spring, meditative, "design within reach"

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

YL : stay inspired and energized every day. Find happiness and inspiration from the simple life.

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

YL : Yes, My interest in art started when I was 5 years old, I loved to draw and I continued my interest. I always believed I am a talented designer.

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

YL : Times are changing fast, and I haven't really thought about the future. Times progress rapidly, and too many new things need us to keep learning, human life is very short, and I am grateful that I live in this era, and I will cherish every day.