Yuxuan Hua

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Yuxuan Hua ("YH") 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?

YH : I studied design with a focus on human-centered thinking and form development, blending physical and digital methods early in my training. My education gave me a strong foundation in both the practical and emotional sides of design, and I continue to build on that through real-world experience.

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

YH : I'm motivated by curiosity—about people, behaviors, and the quiet needs of everyday life. I became a designer to translate empathy into action and to make thoughtful improvements that people may not even realize they needed.

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

YH : I chose it instinctively. Design felt like the most natural way to express care, solve problems, and bring together creativity with purpose.

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

YH : I design digital-physical products and tools that support learning, care, and daily life. I’d love to do more work in emotional tech and tools that support mental wellness—quiet helpers that feel both intelligent and human.

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

YH : Stay curious, be kind, and care deeply about what and who you're designing for. The best work doesn’t come from chasing trends, but from listening and refining with intention.

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

YH : A great designer goes beyond solving problems—they bring emotional intelligence, clarity, and resonance to the work. It's about feeling, not just function.

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

YH : It solves the right problem, feels effortless, and resonates emotionally. Good design often feels invisible—it just works.

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

YH : Good design creates trust, dignity, and clarity. It’s not just about aesthetics—it improves experiences, systems, and sometimes even lives.

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

YH : I’d design tools for underserved classrooms—simple, joyful resources that spark curiosity in students and ease the burden on teachers.

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

YH : A soft, AI-powered companion for emotional learning in children—something that feels intuitive, trustworthy, and deeply supportive.

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

YH : Empathy, without question. When you start from care and curiosity, the design naturally becomes more thoughtful. I also try to balance discipline with play—being serious about the process but open to surprise. That mix often leads to my best work.

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

YH : I’ve always admired Toshiyuki Kita for his ability to blend tradition with forward-thinking form. Naoto Fukasawa’s work is a lesson in subtlety and intuition—designs that almost disappear because they fit so well into everyday life. Dieter Rams, of course, is a foundational influence for his clarity and restraint. Each of them reminds me that great design doesn’t need to shout to be heard.

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

YH : Kita’s Wink Chair is a standout for me. It’s playful and sculptural while still feeling approachable and comfortable. I also love MUJI’s everyday products—the way they manage to be unbranded but highly intentional is something I find really beautiful. These designs all reflect care in execution and a deep respect for the user.

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

YH : Lens is one of the projects I’m most proud of. It brings together physical interaction and augmented reality in a way that feels tactile, intuitive, and full of possibility. What makes it great for me is the way it invites curiosity—it doesn’t demand attention but gently rewards exploration. That balance of quiet presence and emotional engagement is something I’m always striving for.

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

YH : Spend more time observing than producing. Step outside of the design bubble and watch how people actually live. I learned the most from paying attention to behavior, asking better questions, and being open to feedback. Also, make peace with iteration—good work rarely happens in one take.

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

YH : I think I would’ve become a documentary filmmaker or an animal behaviorist—something that still centers around observation and storytelling. I’ve always been fascinated by the “why” behind people’s actions and the beauty in overlooked systems, whether human or natural. That same curiosity drives my design work.

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

YH : Design is empathy made tangible. It’s the thoughtful shaping of experiences, systems, or objects to better serve the people who interact with them. Good design quietly solves problems, brings clarity, and connects us to something deeper—whether emotional, practical, or cultural.

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

YH : I’ve been fortunate to have mentors, collaborators, and friends who believed in me—especially when I was still figuring things out. Their feedback, encouragement, and honesty shaped how I see my work and myself.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

YH : Staying curious, listening well, and being open to not having the answers right away. Also, learning to embrace the discomfort of the design process—growth lives in the uncertain moments.

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

YH : Early on, it was hard to find my voice in environments that valued speed over substance. I had to learn how to advocate for quiet, intentional design in louder, faster contexts. And, like many creatives, I’ve faced imposter syndrome—but I’ve learned to treat it as a sign that I care.

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

YH : With context and care. Don’t just show the final visuals—tell the story behind them. What was the problem? Who was it for? What changed because of your solution? That’s what makes work memorable.

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

YH : I’m currently working on an AI-assisted teaching tool for classrooms—something that supports teachers quietly in the background, instead of adding noise. It’s designed to be emotionally aware, simple, and empowering.

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

YH : To create tools and experiences that improve lives in subtle but lasting ways. I want my work to feel like a quiet companion—one that makes daily life a bit easier, warmer, or more thoughtful.

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

YH : People expect clarity, thoughtfulness, and depth. I try to bring a calm, focused energy to both my work and how I collaborate. I think people expect me to care deeply—and I do.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

YH : Design shapes how we access information, move through spaces, and feel in our environments. It can promote dignity, equity, and sustainability when done responsibly. At its best, design is a quiet but powerful force for care.

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

YH : The digital teaching assistant is something I’m very excited about—it blends AI with soft, human-centered design to support real needs in classrooms. It’s a chance to use technology in a more mindful, collaborative way.

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

YH : Melt and Lens both brought a lot of joy. With Melt, we turned a functional humidifier into something warm and delightful. With Lens, we made learning tactile and immersive. Both projects allowed me to explore emotional storytelling through function.

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

YH : I’d love to see more emphasis on long-term thinking, emotional sustainability, and real-world context. Less chasing trends, more creating with purpose and care.

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

YH : Toward more emotional intelligence and cross-disciplinary work. We’ll need designers who can navigate AI, ethics, environment, and culture all at once—and who lead with empathy.

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

YH : It depends on the scope, but meaningful work often takes weeks or months. I usually stop when I feel that additional changes are no longer adding clarity—but I always leave room for future iteration.

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

YH : I start by listening—understanding the context, the people, and the small frictions in their lives. That human insight shapes everything that follows.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

YH : Design less, but with more meaning.

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

YH : Great design sets the right trends—by tuning into human needs.

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

YH : Tech is a powerful material—best when used with empathy and intention.

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

YH : SolidWorks, Figma, KeyShot—and a sketchbook always within reach.

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

YH : They shape how we feel before we even engage. Color and material set the tone, while ambient context defines comfort. These elements quietly guide emotional response.

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

YH : I wish people asked, “How do you hope this will make someone feel?” That’s always the question behind my work.

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

YH : I wonder what tradeoffs were made—and what story it tells.

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

YH : Absolutely. I believe in co-design deeply. My ideal partner is someone who asks good questions, values the process, and knows when to push and when to pause.

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

YH : The most influential people have been those who offered honest critique, unexpected insights, and the space to think deeply. Often, the most powerful influences are quiet ones.

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

YH : Designing Design by Kenya Hara, The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman, and Emotional Design also by Norman. These books helped me see design as both a craft and a philosophy.

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

YH : Through practice, critique, and always staying a little uncomfortable.

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

YH : I’d love to speak with Isamu Noguchi—his work feels alive and timeless.

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

YH : It’s incredibly humbling. I don’t design for recognition, but I’m grateful when the work resonates. I try to keep the focus on impact rather than visibility.

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

YH : Color: soft neutrals. Place: quiet museums. Food: noodles. Season: fall. Brand: MUJI.

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

YH : Once, I brought the wrong prototype to a presentation—and the client loved it more than the intended one. A happy accident that taught me to stay open.

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

YH : Progress, clarity, or a teammate saying, “That just feels right.”

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

YH : Not at all. But I was always observing, always reimagining the world in small ways. Looking back, the signs were all there.

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

YH : In a thousand years? I hope we’re designing for restoration, not consumption.

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

YH : I care deeply. My work is quiet, but it’s full of intention, and always for people first.