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Interview with Xulei Li |
Home > Designer Interviews > Xulei Li |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Xulei Li (XL) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Xulei Li by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
XL: I majored in design for my undergraduate and master programs. After achieved my master's degree, I start to work at museums. Through my work, I got to know many curators and artists. Collaborating with them makes me devoted as a designer more.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
XL: I am working at an art museum currently. At the same time, I am running a design studio. The studio's target clients are artists, galleries, and museums. I generally provide clients with related services such as branding, logo design, book design, and etc.
FS: What is "design" for you?
XL: "Design" has already become a part of my life. It is a perspective of looking at new things.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
XL: The project I enjoy the most is the project that combines commercial, technology, and art.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
XL: There are too many to count.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
XL: VI system of a parent-child brand.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
XL: I have no preferences for material or technologies. Material and techniques that can express the project's concept promptly is the most ideal one. I like the platform that can provide me with design inspiration.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
XL: When I am full, and in a good mood.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
XL: I give more focus on whether the design concept matches customer needs during the design process.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
XL: In the design process, my mind is relatively peaceful. Of course, I will be very excited when I come up with good ideas.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
XL: hahahhaha Very excited, feels like a genius.
FS: What makes a design successful?
XL: The sturdy design concept is the reserve, and project research is the premise; technology is the foundation; efficient communication with customers allows designers to have more control over their design.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
XL: Have you delivered the idea of the project clearly?
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
XL: This is a big question. As a designer, my priority is to be responsible for each client and project and consciously use design language to participate in activities to support social equality, environmental protection, etc. to improve existing social problems.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
XL: With artificial intelligence; everything becomes faster.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
XL: My last design exhibition was at the SAGD Award 2019 winners exhibition in Taipei, China. At present, because of the epidemic situation, it is still uncertain when the next exhibition will happen.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
XL: Many of my design projects are exhibitions based. I will brainstorm with the exhibition's curator to get a generous idea about the show and observe the exhibition by myself too. My inspirations are from my daily life, my early life experience, and other designers' work.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
XL: I do not know what style I am. My design style requires the public to define. I will try different design forms based on different project properties.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
XL: I live in Shanghai, China. My country's cultural heritage inevitably affects my work.
FS: How do you work with companies?
XL: Double to choice.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
XL: Have faith in designers’ expertise. Working with a designer has a similar style to your company’s aura, and style will make the whole process much more smooth to produce results.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
XL: To begin a new design project, I will always start with project research to learn more about similar products and industry status. The second step will be collecting clients' needs and requirements. Through communication with clients, design work will be polished.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
XL: Gloves, table lamp, kitchen, bookshelf.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
XL: I am working 8 hours per day for five days a week. After work, I will see friends or go to sports.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
XL: Don’t stop studying, live a life.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
XL: The good part may be better at discovering the beauty in life. The downside is that life and work are a bit inseparable, and sometimes inspiration often comes from a moment.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
XL: Keep learning and pay attention to design trends.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
XL: Design Logic
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
XL: Design Software: Illustrator, Indesign, Photoshop、C4D, AE
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
XL: I set the schedule at the beginning of the design task, strictly follow the process table to urge myself to do the design.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
XL: Depending on the size of the project, small projects will take 1-2 months, and large projects may take half a year to 1 year.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
XL: When will the project end? Hahaha
FS: What was your most important job experience?
XL: Working in a museum for nearly six years.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
XL: Shanghai Minsheng Art Museum, New York university(Shanghai), E POI fashion brand,etc.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
XL: Working at art museum allows me to be surrounded by artworks. Some project are serving for vulnerable groups. Using one’s professionalism to help others, make life becomes more meaningful.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
XL: Find more projects that I feel interested to work with.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
XL: I develop designs by myself I am an independent designer.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
XL: I was working on an exhibition project with Maryland Art Center in the United States recently. However, due to the impact of the epidemic, it is stranded now. I hope the virus can ended quickly. People may return to a quiet life.
FS: How can people contact you?
XL: Through my email, Lixulei1028@hotmail.com
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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