Tzuhsiang Lin

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Tzuhsiang Lin ("TL") 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?

TL : I studied Industrial Design at Pratt Institute in New York and have worked across product, furniture, and visual design.

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

TL : Design allows me to create meaningful experiences that improve daily life—it's both personal and purposeful.

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

TL : I chose it naturally; I was always curious about how things are made and how they connect with people.

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

TL : I design lighting, furniture, and home objects, and I’d love to explore more sensory and textile-based designs.

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

TL : Stay curious, listen well, and never stop refining your craft.

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

TL : A great designer balances function and feeling—and designs with empathy.

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

TL : It’s intuitive, purposeful, and emotionally resonant.

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

TL : Good design improves quality of life, builds connection, and lasts.

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

TL : I’d love to design for wellness spaces—calming environments for overstimulated cities.

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

TL : A public installation combining light, sound, and natural materials.

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

TL : Empathy—understanding how people live and feel.

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

TL : Naoto Fukasawa, Isamu Noguchi, and Dieter Rams.

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

TL : Fukasawa’s wall-mounted CD player—it’s poetic, simple, and user-centered.

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

TL : The Nest Lamp—it merges emotional comfort with tactile, sculptural light.

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

TL : Practice constantly, stay observant, and stay humble.

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

TL : Possibly a writer or musician—some form of quiet storytelling.

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

TL : Design is a way of thinking and feeling—shaping experiences through form and meaning.

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

TL : My mentors and my family—always supportive, even in uncertainty.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

TL : Resilience, feedback, and staying open to learning.

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

TL : Visa limitations, cultural barriers, and imposter syndrome.

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

TL : Clearly, with context—tell the story and show the process.

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

TL : A fabric-based ambient lighting series exploring softness and emotion.

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

TL : To design timeless objects that bring calm and connection.

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

TL : Authenticity, thoughtfulness, and well-crafted ideas.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

TL : It fosters empathy, accessibility, and sustainable change.

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

TL : A scent diffuser with modular ceramics and natural wood elements.

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

TL : The Crystal Home series—minimal, expressive, and deeply personal.

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

TL : More diversity, slower design cycles, and material accountability.

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

TL : Toward more human-centered, emotional, and sustainable design.

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

TL : From a few weeks to several months, depending on scale and complexity.

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

TL : Always with observation—people, context, materials.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

TL : Design quietly, but let it speak clearly.

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

TL : Design shapes trends when it leads with integrity.

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

TL : It’s a powerful tool—but human feeling comes first.

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

TL : SolidWorks, Rhino, Adobe Suite, Figma, and 3D printing.

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

TL : They shape emotion, perception, and atmosphere.

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

TL : How does it feel to live with this every day?”

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

TL : “What makes it feel so effortless?”

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

TL : Someone who values honesty and detail. Yes, co-design brings fresh depth.

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

TL : Professors at Pratt and senior designers I interned with.

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

TL : “Designing Design” by Kenya Hara and “The Eyes of the Skin” by Juhani Pallasmaa.

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

TL : Through repetition, critique, and building real-world experience.

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

TL : Isamu Noguchi—for his sensitivity and cross-disciplinary vision.

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

TL : I feel honored, but I stay focused on the work—not the spotlight.

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

TL : Color: warm grey. Place: Kyoto. Food: miso soup. Season: autumn. Brand: Muji.

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

TL : I once presented a prototype upside-down—and the client loved it more that way.

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

TL : Seeing ideas evolve and finding beauty in small progress.

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

TL : Not clearly—but I was always building, drawing, and observing.

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

TL : Design will blend seamlessly into nature—quiet, smart, and regenerative.

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

TL : I design to bring stillness and clarity—thank you for seeing and feeling the details.