Yumeng Li

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yumeng Li ("YL") 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?

YL : My journey into the field of art and design is deeply rooted in my academic and familial influences. This early exposure to art seamlessly merged with my academic pursuits in design engineering and design research, where I explored and applied mathematical aesthetics and computational tools to parametric, lightweight, and ergonomic design. This educational foundation gave me a solid understanding of art, design, and technology, enriching my ability to innovate within a cultural context.

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

YL : Projects that challenge the status quo and introduce new paradigms of user interaction.

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

YL : Think out of the box, stay humble, and be inclusive. Sometimes, new approaches can tackle challenges and lead to interruptive innovation. So, avoid creating pseudo-problems or fabricating needs just for the sake of design. In most cases, simple personal time management is indeed insufficient when it comes to a design team or studio. Design management frameworks and project progression models could work for transforming interdisciplinary collaboration and cohesive team efforts into significant time-saving advantages, avoiding the pitfalls of poor planning and inadequate communication. Cross-disciplinary cooperation can evidently enhance the effectiveness of design projects and be helpful for shifting focus to gain a fresh perspective for objective evaluation and to facilitate the transition to the next stages of communication and handover. However, success requires balancing autonomy within teams. The real distinction between ego and empathy lies in focusing on genuine user insights, rather than relying on extensive, detached questionnaires.

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

YL : Solve real-world problems, meet societal needs, push the boundaries of innovation. Investing in good design means investing in the future, addressing real-world problems and leaving enough opportunity for imagination and evolution that benefit humanity.

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

YL : Fostering mutual growth: focusing on how altruism is ultimately mutually beneficial; Being passionate while keeping a long-term, objective perspective.

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

YL : Ross Lovegrove, Charles and Ray Eames, Tadao Ando.

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

YL : There was never any doubt that I would become a designer. But in addition to this, I would highly possible to consider a slash career with other identities as an artist and digital media director in near future. My current projects involve leveraging AR/VR technologies to enhance digital heritage experiences, and looking ahead, I am excited about the potential for far future cross-disciplinary collaborations implies mediums for design, such as film and music.

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

YL : Design is a philosophy that permeates any life aspect; it involves systematic innovation in behavioral experiences; It's an art that speaks without words; It's a methodology for self-cultivation.

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

YL : Storytelling.

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

YL : As we expand the scope and reach of our design studio, our next steps involve developing the departments within the studio and partnering with scholars such as design school lecturers and art museum collaborators. Together, we are set to establish a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural innovation design. This initiative will focus on introducing and emphasizing new concepts and the significance of integrating design with culture and technology.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YL : Ensure the design solution is sustainable both socially and environmentally, with a focus on long-term impacts.

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

YL : We are set to curate a touring exhibition about the origins of Chinese pigments: “Hui Ink Sticks” collaborated with multiple museums and galleries after the A’design winning project “Hui House” as the same Hui series. I am mainly responsible for the interactive, visual communication, and experiential design aspects of the art and culture domains of the “Hui Ink” exhibition.

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

YL : The design field is evolving towards more sustainable and ethical due to cultural innovation and technological advancements. The future of design will focus on cultural inclusion and creating solutions that benefit humanity.

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

YL : It depends on the kinds, user groups, and scope of the designed objects. Most collaborative projects also vary from one month to several years.

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

YL : Born in a musical family and having trained in folk dance by the national 3-rd intangible cultural heritage inheritor from a young age, I've grasped how music can convey profound messages and evoke a sense of the ineffable, and how dance reveals the power of dynamics, interaction, and visual intensity. These have infused my design style and continue to inspire me.

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

YL : If you're interested in discussing design, sharing ideas, and cooperating intention, feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn or email.