Don Ian

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Don Ian ("DI") 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?

DI : 2020, Faraday Future, Architecture Design for R&D Center 2023, LEEDER, Logo Design 2024, Agiling, Logo Design

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

DI : Many people have an inner self isolation, which is related to their personality and experiences during childhood. From a young age, they long for attention and recognition, hoping that one day there will be a mysterious power that can excite a big bang in their inner universe. Our design philosophy is also based on this. Whether it is products or artworks, they can bring users or audiences a unique experience, that is, self recognition, and give customers the ability to personalize and showcase their own value.

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

DI : choose to become a designer

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

DI : creating better human-machine interaction tools

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

DI : Be a responsible designer or engineer

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

DI : Design cannot be separated from application scenarios and practical needs. Even if there is a great idea, it should be people-oriented.

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

DI : Self-recognition, Self-actualization

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

DI : Sudden inspiration

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

DI : Differentiate between usage scenarios and needs

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

DI : Van Gogh, Hans Zimmer

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

DI : Like Christopher Nolan's movies and Hans Zimmer's music.

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

DI : The logo of Agiling

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

DI : Humanization and safety

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

DI : Personalization and diversity

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

DI : Chinese Academy of Sciences

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

DI : A ray of light in the darkness

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

DI : Tragic and inspiring

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

DI : Self-recognition, Self-actualization

DL: How does design help create a better society?

DI : Imagination is not an algorithm

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

DI : Affirmation from customers

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

DI : factory designing for Faraday Future

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

DI : it depends

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

DI : Design can’t solve all problems, and sometimes it can’t even solve one problem.

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

DI : 3 month and more

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

DI : Agile Interaction Art & Innovation Affection & Intelligence Assure & Intrust

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

DI : don't matter

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

DI : bigger part

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

DI : Powerpoint and AI tools

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

DI : important

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

DI : Did you design this?

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

DI : Chinese Academy of Sciences

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

DI : Sophie's World

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

DI : Working on a large sofa all day long.

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

DI : the younger me

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

DI : ogo design, because it's easy ;)

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

DI : never known

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

DI : back the original life way