Yueh Mei Cheng

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yueh Mei Cheng ("YMC") 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?

YMC : I graduated from the Department of Fine Arts at Chinese Culture University in Taiwan . After graduating from university, I worked as an interior design teacher at Senior High School for 7 years, and then went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in USA, to study more about the fields and theories of art and design.

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

YMC : The profound experiences of meditation and dance serve as the wellspring of my artistic creations. Meditation fosters a deeper comprehension of the universe's inherent reality, which subtly permeates my creative endeavors. I also derive immense pleasure from dancing which enables me to perceive the multidimensionality and fluidity of space within the dance floor. I want to be an artist/designer because I believe that designers are more likely to convey their ideas to others than any other role.

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

YMC : From the moment I stepped into college, I knew I was destined to be an artist or designer. I believe that my calling is to unleash the potential of imagination, express my emotions and connection to the world, and interpret the mysteries of the vast universe through the lens of my microcosmic sensibilities.

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

YMC : I enjoy creating large-scale public art and installations, and I also love incorporating technology into my designs. I spend most of my time creating paintings, and of course, I often invite technology teams to collaborate with me on my paintings and extend them into spatial installations.

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

YMC : The most important thing to being a successful artist, designer, or, perhaps more generally, a creator, is to persevere and continue creating. The act of persisting in creation is itself the definition of success.

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

YMC : Distinguishes design go beyond aesthetics. They have a strong understanding of the user, the market, and the bigger picture. They can anticipate trends and create designs that are relevant and enduring. A good designer might create something visually pleasing and functional. They aim to solve problems, improve user experience, and drive positive change.

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

YMC : Good design is aesthetically pleasing, but it goes beyond aesthetics.. Good designers are resourceful and can adapt to new challenges.

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

YMC : Good design is an investment that benefits everyone. It creates a more positive user experience, strengthens brands, saves resources, and ultimately improves our lives. By prioritizing good design, we can create a world that is not only functional but also beautiful, efficient, and enjoyable.

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

YMC : Design is a journey, not a destination. The most successful designers are always learning, growing, and refining their skills. There isn't one single "secret recipe" to design success, but Understanding who you're designing for and what their needs and problems are is crucial.

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

YMC : There are many famous designers in the world, and their stories are both interesting and inspiring to me. The ones that have had the most impact on me are Zaha Hadid and Gabrielle Chanel, whose designs have broken down gender barriers and empowered women.

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

YMC : Zaha Hadid was the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and her work is known for its bold, innovative forms. She has designed many iconic buildings around the world, including the Guangzhou Opera House in China and the Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Hadid's work has shown women that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, no matter how challenging the field.

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

YMC : Develop an eye for good design.Pay attention to design around you, from websites and packaging to magazines and advertisements. Analyze what makes them effective (or not so effective). There are many resources online and in libraries showcasing great design.

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

YMC : During my studies, my parents were incredibly supportive of my pursuit of a career in art or design. After marriage, my husband and my family also extended their unwavering support for my artistic endeavors. I have always been immensely proud of the encouragement I've received from my close family and friends for my creative endeavors.

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

YMC : My next solo exhibition is scheduled for 2025 at the National Taiwan Normal University Museum of Art in Taipei, Taiwan. I will have a large-scale technological Ink Art exhibition at the National Taiwan Normal University Museum of Art in Taipei, Taiwan. This exhibition will combine the unique characteristics of Ink Painting with AR virtual-reality interactive visual image design and AI interactive technology to create a space where physical and virtual visual images coexist. Visitors can simply pass through this space and scan a specific QR code to experience the joy of interacting with physical ink wash art images in a virtual-reality co-constructed space. Constructing this contemporary ink wash art experimental field built through aesthetic calculations will also allow a large audience to directly experience the vision of "entering the painting realm" under the future 5G network, opening up their imagination of the 5G digital visual world and appreciating the joy of Ink Art. Through this, I aim to create a new look and a contemporary image for Eastern art - Ink Painting.

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

YMC : Design can influence how people think and behave. A designer's ultimate goal could be to use their craft to make a positive social or environmental impact.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YMC : Well-designed solutions can shape a better society. Designers can improve people's lives, utilize resources more efficiently, and potentially enhance the overall functioning of our communities. Through their work, designers can directly influence people's behaviors and actions.

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

YMC : I will have a large-scale technological Ink Art exhibition at the National Taiwan Normal University Museum of Art in Taipei, Taiwan. This exhibition will combine the unique characteristics of Ink Painting with AR virtual-reality interactive visual image design and AI interactive technology to create a space where physical and virtual visual images coexist. This is my design for a mobile app that uses technology to introduce the unique perspective features of Eastern painting. I really hope that people can use my design to better understand the meaning behind Eastern painting.

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

YMC : I once created a large-scale technology/interactive Ink Art named "Returning to the Source of the Dadajia River." This work was well-received when it was exhibited. In recent years, the integration of technology and art has become an undeniable trend. The "technology art" trend is not only a global phenomenon but also a form of art and design that uses technology as a medium to translate, reproduce, and call for humanistic care and specific issues. It is worth noting that although the development of technology art is closely related to rapid technological breakthroughs, its creative concept and motivation seem to be closely related to the lives of contemporary people.

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

YMC : Design and trends have a bit of a back-and-forth relationship. The key is for designers to strike a balance. They should be aware of trends but not blindly follow them. The best designs often find a way to be both innovative and relevant to current preferences.

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

YMC : Technology plays a super important role for designers today. It acts as a powerful toolbox that can enhance almost every aspect of the design process, from ideation to presentation. Design software can help with simulations and life cycle assessments, allowing designers to create more environmentally friendly products.

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

YMC : Color, materials, and ambient factors all play critical roles in shaping the overall experience of a design. Colors have inherent psychological associations. A color palette can establish the overall mood of a space or product. The choice of materials directly impacts a design's functionality. Color, materials, and ambient factors all work in concert to shape how users interact with and feel about a design.

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

YMC : I do believe in co-design. Co-design involves actively incorporating the perspectives and contributions of stakeholders throughout the design process. These stakeholders can be end-users, clients, community members, or anyone with a vested interest in the final outcome. By incorporating diverse perspectives, co-design can lead to more innovative and effective solutions.

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

YMC : I enjoy reading a lot of religious philosophy books. Studying religion gives me the opportunity to delve deeper into the value and meaning of existence.

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

YMC : My artistic creations stem from my personal exploration of the interplay between Eastern and Western cultural legacies. They embody my intricate identity in relation to Eastern and Western history, the self, life, nature, and the environment. They also metaphorically represent the external manifestations of the encounter between two distinct traditions, as well as the various disharmonies that have arisen in human civilization due to 'destruction.' However, these seemingly 'destructive' elements, under the arrangement of visual aesthetics, coexist awkwardly yet harmoniously with the nature I depict in my works. My art serves as a process of self-healing and reflection for me as a contemporary individual, and I hope to invite more people to engage with my art.