Shinga Yoshimine, Yitian Zeng

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Shinga Yoshimine, Yitian Zeng ("SYYZ") 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?

SYYZ : I began my design journey in graduate school, where I focused on UX/UI design. Over time, I expanded my skills into branding and website creation, working on a variety of projects that allowed me to apply design thinking in real-world contexts. After gaining hands-on experience for about a year, I decided to return to school to pursue an MBA. My goal is to become someone who bridges the gap between design and business

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

SYYZ : What motivates me most is the sense of accomplishment that comes when my design serves a real purpose. Knowing that something I created can improve someone's experience or solve a problem in the real world is incredibly fulfilling.

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

SYYZ : It is me who chose to become a designer.

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

SYYZ : I mainly focus on digital design, such as branding, logo creation, website design, and UX/UI. I’m also interested in exploring motion design and more interactive, immersive experiences.

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

SYYZ : Expose yourself to all kinds of design, such as digital, architecture, painting, and more. Try not to hold biases. Try to be as open as possible since creativity can come from anywhere.

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

SYYZ : I would say a good designer solves problems and creates visually appealing work, and a great designer has a deep understanding of both the user and the business.

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

SYYZ : Good design starts with strong visuals, but what makes it truly effective is how well it serves its purpose and solves the client’s pain points.

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

SYYZ : Good design has the power to solve real problems, not just for individuals, but for society as a whole. It goes beyond aesthetics and plays a critical role in how we interact with products, services, and systems.

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

SYYZ : I specialize in logo design, websites, branding, and digital experiences. If I had more time, I’d love to design for organizations that focus on social impact, especially in areas like mental health, sustainability, or education.

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

SYYZ : One dream project I haven’t had time to realize would be creating a digital product that supports mental health or well-being like something that’s beautifully designed, emotionally engaging, and truly helpful in people’s daily lives.

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

SYYZ : I’d say my secret is staying open-minded and constantly absorbing inspiration from everything around me. Whether it’s design-related or not, I try to learn from different perspectives, experiences, and disciplines.

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

SYYZ : I would say my greatest design so far is a conceptual product called Digiverse, which was also honored with an A' Design Award. What makes Digiverse special is its purpose. It helps people pass down their digital assets to loved ones, preserving their digital legacy in a meaningful way.

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

SYYZ : One of the best ways to grow as a designer is to expose yourself to as many types of design as possible whether it’s digital, physical, architectural, or even everyday objects.

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

SYYZ : I’d probably be doing something related to media. Maybe content creation, storytelling, or something in the digital communication field.

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

SYYZ : Design isn’t just about visuals, but it’s also about purpose. Design should improve people’s lives in some way, whether by solving a problem, simplifying a process, or creating a meaningful experience.

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

SYYZ : I’m grateful to the people around me, such as my friends, mentors, colleagues, and clients who have supported me along the way.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

SYYZ : Meeting the right people who I could learn from played a huge role in my growth as a designer.

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

SYYZ : One of the biggest obstacles I faced was learning how to communicate my designs effectively. Explaining my design process, decisions, and the reasoning behind my work wasn’t easy and to be honest, it’s something I still work on.

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

SYYZ : Designers should present their work by clearly communicating the why behind their decisions, not just showing the final result, but walking people through the process.

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

SYYZ : My next design project is currently confidential, but I’m really excited about what’s coming.

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

SYYZ : My ultimate goal as a designer is to become as versatile as possible. I want to keep expanding my skills across different areas of design whether it’s digital products, branding, motion, or emerging technologies.

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

SYYZ : I think people expect an esteemed designer to bring not just creativity, but also clarity, consistency, and thoughtful problem-solving.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

SYYZ : Design helps create a better society by making everyday experiences more inclusive, accessible, and meaningful. It can simplify complicated systems, bring awareness to important issues, and create solutions that improve people's lives.

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

SYYZ : It is unfortunately confidential.

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

SYYZ : The project that gave me the most satisfaction was Digiverse, a conceptual product I designed to help people pass down their digital assets to loved ones. Receiving the A' Design Award for Digiverse made the experience even more rewarding

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

SYYZ : I’d love to see more meaningful collaboration between designers and AI in the coming years. AI has the potential to optimize parts of the design process like generating ideas. If we use it thoughtfully, it can be a powerful tool that enhances, rather than replaces, the designer’s role.

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

SYYZ : I believe the design field is heading toward deeper collaboration with AI. As AI tools become more advanced, they’ll play a bigger role in ideation, automation, and personalization. Designers will still lead the creative direction, but AI will become a valuable partner.

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

SYYZ : It really depends on the scope and complexity of the project, but on average, it takes me a few weeks to finalize a design.

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

SYYZ : I always start with in-depth design research to fully understand the client’s goals, values, and target audience.

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

SYYZ : It can be both. Design often sets the trends, especially when fresh ideas challenge the norm or bring something new to the table. At the same time, existing trends can influence design. Trends also tend to be cyclical, so older styles often come back in new forms.

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

SYYZ : From design tools like Figma and Adobe to AI-powered features, technology helps improve workflows and enhance collaboration.

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

SYYZ : I mainly use Figma and Adobe Creative Suite for my design work. I also incorporate AI tools to help improve my workflow.

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

SYYZ : Color, materials, and ambiance play an important role in defining the visual identity and overall vibe of a design. They influence how people feel, how they interpret the message, and how they connect with the design.

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

SYYZ : When I see a great design or product, I would probably start thinking about what makes it work so well whether it’s the concept, the user experience, or the visuals.

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

SYYZ : My ideal design partner would be someone who is open-minded, curious, and willing to explore new ideas. I do believe in co-design in order to bring stronger and well-thought solutions.

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

SYYZ : I developed my skills by constantly practicing and taking on real projects.There are so many free tutorials available online, and I took full advantage of them to learn new tools and techniques. I also often ask my colleagues and friends for feedback.

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

SYYZ : I’m truly honored to have received each award. They remind me that the work I do has meaning and impact. I don’t consider myself famous, nor is that something I aim to be. What matters most to me is being able to contribute to society through design.

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

SYYZ : My favorite color is black, along with natural, earthy colors. My favorite place is my home, where I can truly relax and recharge or museums where I can get inspirations. I love Japanese food, especially since it’s a big part of my culture. My favorite season is summer. I also like to play drums. I don't have specific brands I like. I'm more like the go with the flow person.

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

SYYZ : What makes my day great as a designer is when I come across really good design while browsing, and that motivates me to become a better designer.

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

SYYZ : I always loved creating things when I was a child. I used to go to a painting school, and art was one of my favorite subjects in school. But it wasn’t obvious at the time that I’d become a designer. It wasn’t until grad school, when I studied UX/UI design, that I discovered my passion and decided to pursue design as a career.

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

SYYZ : A thousand years is definitely a bit too far ahead for me to imagine haha. But hopefully, by then, I would love to see see a much more advanced collaboration between humans and AI.

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

SYYZ : You can contact me through contact@shinga.io.