Jason Yu-ting SHIH

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Jason Yu-ting SHIH ("JYS") 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?

JYS : Jason SHIH graduated from School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology, New York, USA,and majored in Metal Sculpture. And, he earned his Art Ph. D. from China Academy of Art, China (2015). Now, Jason SHIH lives in Taoyuan City, Taiwan, and consistently engages in the both areas of sculpture and public art.

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

JYS : As a professional sculptor, I likes to experience the taste of life with perceptual observation in the subtle moments, and also likes the ever-changing situation of game shapes in the poetic imaginary space. For me, art creation is to share various moods and stories in daily life.

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

JYS : I chose to be a sculptor and I love it.

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

JYS : Humanistic thinking derived from eastern sentiments/oriental trend, Jason Shih's abstract sculptures adopt a simplified aesthetic that uses simplicity to control complexity. Jason Shih is good at translating the aesthetic insights in daily life into profound and timeless elements, gathering pure energy in concise and concise words. His creations start from the delicate humanistic thinking of oriental sentiments and invoke the bright expression techniques of contemporary visual art in form and color. The characteristics of the work are simplicity yet grandeur, attention to detail and full of dramatic tension. In a lively and creative modern style, it elaborates on contemporary humanities.

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

JYS : I suggest that young designers should be brave enough to try new things in life and artistic expression methods.

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

JYS : Solve problems skillfully and solve problems perfectly

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

JYS : Originality and inspiration

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

JYS : Good design allows us to experience fun and be full of imagination about life

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

JYS : It is an honor to use your talents to help those in need and those who appreciate you.

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

JYS : I always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

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

JYS : Focus on perfection. Meanwhile, stay open to curiosity.

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

JYS : As far as artists are concerned, I admire German choreographer Pina Bausch(1940-2009) and British costume designer Alexander McQueen(1969-2010). The former's contemporary humanistic and profound concepts of time and space inspired me to understand sculpture's ability to display kinetic energy and imagination in space. The latter gives me a freer and broader inspiration for the interpretation of contemporary images or themes.

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

JYS : I like the kinetic energy or dynamics from the aesthetic context of Futurism (1909-) and Constructivism (1917-). The speed and continuous movement displayed by the kinetic energy of nature and animals are often full of charming energy images. I adore the beauty of dynamic energy itself that can be interpreted in a restrained and elegant manner at the moment of defying gravity, flying in the air, and sliding.

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

JYS : Poetic imagination, the dynamics of light and shadow, and the rhythm of volume.

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

JYS : Focus on perfection. Meanwhile, stay open to curiosity.

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

JYS : No matter what kind of job I have, I will focus on it and do it perfectly.

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

JYS : Good design is the perfect implementation of things in a scientific, kind and artistic way.

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

JYS : Professional work partners.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

JYS : Experience the joy of life and appreciate various forms of artistic expression.

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

JYS : No matter what the situation is, I will always focus on the job at hand and do it perfectly.

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

JYS : Design originates from humanistic needs. It comes from people and will be used by people.

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

JYS : I always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

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

JYS : I always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

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

JYS : I always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

JYS : Design originates from humanistic needs. It comes from people and will be used by people.

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

JYS : 我始終專注於自己手邊的工作.並將它做到完美 I always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

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

JYS : 我始終專注於自己手邊的工作.並將它做到完美 I always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

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

JYS : Good design is the perfect implementation of things in a scientific, kind and artistic way.

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

JYS : Design originates from humanistic needs. It comes from people and will be used by people.

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

JYS : I always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

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

JYS : Design thinking: the design originates from humanistic needs. It comes from people and will be used by people.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

JYS : Always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

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

JYS : Design originates from humanistic needs. It comes from people and will be used by people.

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

JYS : Professional work partners.

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

JYS : I will look for professional assistance based on work needs.

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

JYS : The relationship between color and materials is like food and plates. They need to be harmonious with each other to be perfectly presented.

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

JYS : I always focus on the job at hand and make it perfect.

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

JYS : Focus on perfection. Meanwhile, stay open to curiosity.

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

JYS : Sure, I will look for professional assistance based on work needs.

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

JYS : I will look for professional assistance based on work needs.

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

JYS : Experience the joy of life and appreciate various forms of artistic expression.

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

JYS : Experience the joy of life and appreciate various forms of artistic expression.

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

JYS : I will look for professional assistance based on work needs.

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

JYS : No matter what the situation is, I will always focus on the job at hand and do it perfectly.

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

JYS : Black, theater, oriental food, autumn, Volvo and Timberland.

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

JYS : I was born in Lukang Town, Taiwan, where traditional craftsmen are active. I have been interested in folk crafts, temple architecture, wood and stone carvings since my childhood.

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

JYS : No matter what the situation is, I will always focus on the job at hand and do it perfectly.

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

JYS : Since my childhood, I really like to experience the joy of life and appreciate various forms of artistic expression.

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

JYS : No matter what the situation is, I will always focus on the job at hand and do it perfectly.

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

JYS : Jason Shih's abstract sculptures adopt a simplified aesthetic that uses simplicity to control complexity. He is good at translating the aesthetic insights in daily life into profound and timeless elements. As a professional sculptor, Jason likes to experience the taste of life with perceptual observation in the subtle moments, and also likes the ever-changing situation of game shapes in the poetic imaginary space. For Jason, art creation is to share various moods and stories in daily life.