YUNHUA CHENG
LEGENDARY INTERVIEW
Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yunhua Cheng ("YC") 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?
YC : I completed a 4-year undergraduate program in furniture and interior design at Jiangxi Normal University. Following graduation, I serendipitously entered the jewelry industry and embarked on my career as a jewelry designer.
DL: What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
YC : I think designer is a very interesting profession, which attracts me step by step. When I see excellent design works, I will hope that I can create such excellent works.
DL: Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
YC : I choose.
DL: What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
YC : What I do is jewelry design, I hope I can design some jewelry with my own style for people to choose.
DL: What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
YC : First of all, I like the profession of design, and then I work hard to do it, accumulate experience, learn the craft, and broaden my horizon.
DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
YC : I think a good designer can make works that impress others, and a great designer can change people's lives or ideas.
DL: What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
YC : I think it might be The Times, the technology. Good design should be known to the public.
DL: What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
YC : Good design should be able to facilitate people's life, rather than mere appearance, good design can change our living habits and even lifestyle.
DL: What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
YC : I want to design furniture。
DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?
YC : Build my brand.
DL: What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
YC : First of all, I think it is to throw away the constraints of rules and regulations, and boldly draw down the ideas in the brain, and then constantly consider and revise them. Finally, the very important point is the advice of craftsmen.
DL: Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
YC : Guanzhong Wu,Jeanne Toussaint,Jean Schlumberger,Wallace Chan
DL: What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
YC : Jeanne Toussaint's's cheetah collection。I think the first feeling of cheetah is very in line with their own, wild but gentle, and secondly the design shape of cheetah is also very good-looking.
DL: What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
YC : I don't think so for the time being. The "Cheers" in this competition I think is more representative of me.
DL: How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
YC : Relax yourself and keep learning.
DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?
YC : Maybe a teacher.
DL: Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
YC : My mother.
DL: How do you think designers should present their work?
YC : In addition to telling others the story behind the design through text or language in offline stores and exhibitions, designers can also show their works online and in magazines.
DL: What’s your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
YC : A collection I am currently designing is about the road of life, inspired by the cobblestone pavement of Chinese gardens, reflecting the different stages of our lives through the combination of pearls and Opal.
DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?
YC : Create my own brand, do my own DNA but can make people like the product.
DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
YC : To carry forward the Oriental culture.
DL: How does design help create a better society?
YC : Good design has a better appearance and more practical functions, which can make the society more convenient and comfortable
DL: What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
YC : Make possible what others find impossible.
DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
YC : When I was designing in the company, I designed a insert. Finally, the company perfected the insert design and patented it.
DL: What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
YC : In addition to having more good designs, hopefully there will be more opportunities for those good designs to be seen.
DL: How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
YC : 60-90 days
DL: When you have a new design project, where do you start?
YC : I'll start with research.
DL: What is your life motto as a designer?
YC : Refine the intricate and commence with the conclusion
DL: Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
YC : I think design is a collection of trends
DL: What is the role of technology when you design?
YC : Better implementation design.
DL: What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
YC : Photoshop，Coreldraw,Ipad
DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
YC : Will have an impact
DL: Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
YC : Chinese history,Chinese pattern
DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
YC : By constantly creating new works and building brands.
DL: Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
YC : Top jewelry designer, artist, founder of jewelry brand
DL: What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
YC : Focus on one thing for 2 hours and I reward myself with exercise
DL: What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
YC : A thousand years from now, people may be able to live a long life, transportation will be very convenient, we can achieve a day to travel to space,
DL: Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
YC : Where to see more of our work
