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Interview with Shaoyang Chen |
Home > Designer Interviews > Shaoyang Chen |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Shaoyang Chen (SC) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Shaoyang Chen 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?
SC: I have always been a "magazine junkie" and it was so natural that I got myself interested in graphic design while collecting infinite indie magazines.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SC: I found my company Aydada after graduating from school of visual arts. The design practice was focused on branding and campaign for film. I saw how indepdent film directors were struggling to get designers onto their film projects and I wanted to help by putting more resources into the community. Thus I started to develop relationship with film directors and found a way to enhance their story telling by the use of graphic design.
FS: What is "design" for you?
SC: Design is for purpose and for service.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SC: Films, of course. I am such a hopeless film fan.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SC: Recently I really like Richard Turley. His design is a perfect combination of humor, storytelling and fine taste.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SC: I started my career as an editorial designer at Missourian, a local newspaper in Columbia, Missouri. So newspaper was the first thing I designed for a company.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
SC: I really enjoy are.na.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
SC: It's like practicing shooting basketball. Once after couple hours of warm up design riff, I will be in the most efficient and creative design rhythm.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SC: Concept really matters.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SC: Relaxed, energetic and free.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SC: The full happiness.
FS: What makes a design successful?
SC: If a design tells a story or a full concept, then it's successful.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SC: I really focuses on whether a design touches a person's heart. That's the most valuable thing Stefan Sagmeister taught me at grad school.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SC: Designers should be aware of the messages they put out there. Be countable for your art works and don't hurt people with your arts.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SC: Nowadays design fields basically covers everything related with graphics, typography and design thinking. The future of design might be similar to the music we hear nowadays. As different culture influences one another, the new wave of creativity will be pushed to the peak.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SC: My last exhibition was in New York back in 2022. I am planning to put out more exhibitions in NYC in 2024 as well.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SC: My design inspiration usually comes from conversations with people. Talking to people is very important as graphic design can be a lone-wolf job. I constantly remind myself to open to other people's perspectives to gain a broader view of the world.
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?
SC: I would describe my design style as service focused as I really value if design can help my clients to form a stronger concept or generate a bigger commercial profit.
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?
SC: I currently live in Portland Oregon, USA as I am working at the headquarter of Wieden+Kennedy. I was brought up in China and lived in Tokyo for half a year. The cultural influences from all the places I have ever lived really help shapes my unique perspective of things, which I constantly feel grateful for.
FS: How do you work with companies?
SC: The first conversation with my client always builds a solid base for me to understand their design aesthetic and value. And I will come up with a strategic plan for the next meeting to move the project forward.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SC: Be open to designer's suggestions and trust your design partner's instinct. Most of the time a healthy client relationship comes from trust.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SC: After choosing a concept to move on, I will start a design riff. In this session, I give myself completely creative freedom to break down the concept into different visual solutions, from the wildest to the mildest. From there, I will narrow down to one solution that is the most practical for the subject I am working on.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SC: Pen, Sketch paper, earphones, a big computer screen and a youtube video of 4-hour ambient sound playlist.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
SC: I start my day with a 30 minute work-out. And when I arrived at my office, I try to make a list of things that I should finish by the end of day. After that, I will grab a coffee and be ready to work.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SC: Hustling is part of the business of the design.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SC: Being a designer can always work with fun people or fun clients. But most designers have back ache issue. Working out is also very important for designer to build a sustainable lifestyle.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SC: 300%. Always bring 300% creativity to the table. Even sometimes your clients are conservative, you may still be able to get a 100% design as a result.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
SC: Perseverance.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SC: Adobe creative suite. And I love go through magazines for ideas as well.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SC: Make a to-do list and finish your tasks according to their priorities.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SC: It very depends. Sometimes one day, sometimes one quarter.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SC: Why i choose design
FS: What was your most important job experience?
SC: I really like my current job at Wieden + Kennedy portland office. I met some of the best art directors, copywriters, and designer in our current time. I got so much mentorship that fostered my design practice and creativity.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
SC: I previously worked on projects for Chinese artist Chen Yujun, Land Rover, Long Museum, and film director Alam Virk, Sarab Sahani. I recently also worked on HP as associate art director and Vacation Inc. as art director.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SC: I enjoy the ones with strong story telling.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SC: I want to get more gigs as an art director and i would love to hop on more films and music project.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SC: I enjoy both.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SC: Currently I have no project going on.
FS: How can people contact you?
SC: I am always reachable by email that is listed on my personal website.
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
SC: It's been a great pleasure to be invited for this interview. Thank you for having me.
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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