Huizi Tian

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Huizi Tian ("HT") 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?

HT : I completed my Master of Graphic Design in Osaka University of Art, directed byYoshimaru Takahashi.

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

HT : I studied in design as an undergraduate, and my graduate tutor Yoshimaru influenced me a lot. I wish I could become a designer like him.

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

HT : I chose to become a designer. I love design, and I'm pleased to create something beautiful.

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

HT : For now, I focus on book packaging, binding and font, and keep on there aspects in the future.

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

HT : A good design must be created with heart and soul, it should be outstanding in all aspects such as its expression, practicability or decoration.

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

HT : Good design brings change on lifestyle, user experience, even the way how human think and understand the world, so centainly it's meaningful to invest design.

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

HT : I'd like to spend time on my own research and designing something relevant.

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

HT : Way too many. I'd like to collaborate with different projects in all kinds of fields, so that I can learn many kinds of knowledge, like a pack rat.

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

HT : Tiny details in daily life is the key to open the design inspration.

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

HT : My tutor, Yoshimaru Takahashi.

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

HT : I believe the measure of how to judge a design good or not is designer's horizon. Designers should open their mind, gather experience in daily life to increase their comprehension of design and beauty.

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

HT : I might become a vet, it's so profitable.

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

HT : I believe design is about making a solution, it's essential to take both function and aesthetic into consideration.

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

HT : My tutor, Yoshimaru Takahashi.

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

HT : I don't think I have a ultimate goal. I prefer to set my small goals for different stages, to see how far I can go.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HT : Sociaty is Changed by design all the time. Japanese pay attention to design a lot, when I studied there I could deeply feel the convenience how design

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

HT : With the development of AI,the entry barries of design will be much higher than before. I think designers who only have basic skills will be substituted in this industry.

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

HT : I'm afarid that I don't have an answer, maybe from two or three day up to several months. It depends on the difficulty of project, and my working condition.

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

HT : I will start with picking up ideals from my inspiration library.

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

HT : I'm always anxious about something. If I don't have any project or product in process, I will be even more anxious. So maybe I don't need any encouragement, my anxity pushes me to keep moving.

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

HT : I don't think so, when I was a child I want to become a musician.