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Interview with He Liu |
Home > Designer Interviews > He Liu |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer He Liu (HL) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of He Liu 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?
HL: When I was just a child, I already knew that I had fallen head over heels for art. In my relentless pursuit of artistic expression, I delved into the aesthetics of design. Design is a demanding craft, one that compels me to shatter established laws and forge new ones. I revel in daunting challenges and relish the art of communication and exploration. Hence, I have made the resolute decision to become a designer.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
HL: Riverliu Studio is a premier boutique design team, and I proudly serve as the principal designer and artistic director. We specialize in crafting bespoke market solutions and captivating visual experiences for clients across diverse industries. Whether it's brand development, product enhancement, or service optimization, our expertise enables us to deliver exceptional strategies and stunning visual effects that resonate with your target audience.
FS: What is "design" for you?
HL: Design, to me, can be comprehended from two distinct angles. Firstly, from a purely conceptual standpoint, it is regarded as an art form that embodies the creativity and transformation of the objective world, serving as a means to solve problems for clients. Secondly, from a commercial perspective, the exceptional design establishes a strong rapport with the target market. Design transcends mere aesthetics; it necessitates a profound understanding of the market. A unique design process encompasses a delicate equilibrium between aesthetic value, commercial viability, and societal significance.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
HL: The brand visual identity, with its holistic design approach, signifies an ongoing voyage of innovation. Crafting a mature and impactful visual identity presents a formidable challenge that demands meticulous attention to detail and boundless creativity. I am particularly drawn to such challenges, as they ignite my passion and drive for excellence.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
HL: I feel a deep sense of pride and fulfillment being a part of the "TEBIET SHANNAN" project, which has been honored with a prestigious silver award in the graphic design category by A-Design. What truly captivates me about this project is its profound purpose of driving the revival of a town steeped in ancient history. It holds great significance to me as it not only enhances the vibrancy of my professional portfolio but also enables me to make a meaningful contribution to urban development and progress.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
HL: The Logo
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
HL: I love experimenting with different technologies to support my designs. It's all about picking the right tools that perfectly fit the needs of each project. Flexibility is key, and it allows me to tap into various technologies to elevate the impact and quality of my designs.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
HL: At night time I feel the most creative.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
HL: When it comes to the design process, I place a significant emphasis on the stages of ideation and brainstorming. These stages hold immense value for me as they allow for the exploration of creative possibilities and the generation of innovative ideas. I believe that the initial phase of rethinking and questioning assumptions is crucial for pushing the boundaries of conventional design. It is during this phase that I encourage free-flowing discussions, collaboration, and the exchange of diverse perspectives to fuel the brainstorming process. This collaborative and open-minded approach often leads to breakthrough concepts and unique solutions that can truly make a difference. By prioritizing the process of reimagining and engaging in lively brainstorming sessions, I believe we can unlock the true potential of design and create impactful outcomes that resonate with both clients and users.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
HL: Design evokes a diverse range of emotions in me. From excitement and passion to joy and fulfillment when seeing my ideas come to life, to moments of frustration and self-doubt when faced with challenges. These emotional experiences contribute to my growth and a deeper understanding of the design process.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
HL: Excited and fulfilled
FS: What makes a design successful?
HL: Ensuring aesthetic appeal that resonates with the audience is of paramount importance to me. Furthermore, I carefully examine the symbiotic relationship between a design product and the market, assessing its ability to effectively fulfill the task of brand promotion.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
HL: In response to the client's needs, I assess whether the work provides feasible solutions.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
HL: The responsibilities of a graphic designer encompass promoting sustainability, fostering inclusivity, upholding ethical standards, driving social impact, and raising awareness for the role of design in society and the environment.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
HL: In anticipation of societal progress and technological advancements, the field of design is poised for unforeseen growth and transformation, leading to unpredictable shifts in mindset, tools, and materials; nevertheless, I firmly believe that this evolution will foster greater inclusivity and evoke a sense of wonder and enchantment.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
HL: The last exhibition was in Italy, I am not sure when will be the next exhibition.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
HL: Studying and working in both China and the United States have provided me with a broader perspective on how to perceive things, and I have developed a proficiency in integrating Western thinking with Eastern aesthetics, enabling me to create works with a unique perspective. Additionally, my skill in illustration allows me to better express and capture my own sense of beauty.
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?
HL: As someone from China, I appreciate the rich history and profound cultural essence of traditional Chinese culture, which holds a significant influence on contemporary art and design. I take great pleasure in integrating elements of Chinese traditional culture into modern art and design, a trend that not only reflects the current era but has also become a prominent movement. By studying and drawing inspiration from our traditional culture and delving into the exploration of our ethnic heritage, I aim to create art and design that holds deep meaning in the context of human history and plays a vital role on the global stage. Through my work, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of China, our cultural values, spirit, and ethics, while also promoting our outstanding cultural heritage and traditional arts.
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?
HL: Originally from China and currently residing in Los Angeles, I find that Chinese culture has provided me with numerous unexpected inspirations for my designs. However, the design industry in China is highly competitive and saturated, making it challenging to achieve perfection in every work due to overwhelming demand and resource constraints.
FS: How do you work with companies?
HL: We have a detailed delivery process in place where we directly collaborate with our clients, ensuring seamless communication and providing comprehensive design solutions tailored to their specific needs.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
HL: When choosing the ideal designer for your company, it is crucial to review their portfolio, seek recommendations, evaluate their communication and problem-solving skills, assess their compatibility with your company's culture, and consider the cost and timeline factors.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
HL: In my design process, I follow six steps: Explore - gaining insights into the business context, goals, and user demographics; Diverge - generating various solutions through brainstorming; Design - selecting the best solution that meets client requirements; Deliver - presenting the final design; Validate - assessing the design's impact on business goals and brand recognition in the market.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
HL: 1. Pencil, 2. sketch book, 3. Whiteboard 4. Mac, 5. iPad
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
HL: n the morning, I browse through the latest design news or updates while having breakfast, then I dive into work. Throughout the day, I take breaks to refresh my mind. After work, I enjoy engaging in recreational activities to relax and enrich myself.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
HL: For young, up-and-coming designers, it is crucial to set clear goals, persevere, develop a diverse skill set, seek mentorship, stay updated and inspired, build a strong portfolio, network and collaborate, embrace constructive criticism, remain passionate and curious, and never stop learning.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
HL: Positives of being a designer encompass the ability to unleash creativity, contribute to meaningful projects, continuously learn and grow, collaborate with diverse teams, and witness the impact of your designs in the world. Negatives of being a designer can involve encountering creative challenges, managing client expectations, facing tight deadlines and high-pressure situations, dealing with subjective feedback and revisions, and staying up-to-date with evolving design tools and techniques.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
HL: My "golden rule" in design is to prioritize the user or audience's needs and experiences, ensuring that the design serves its intended purpose effectively and efficiently while considering aesthetics, usability, and functionality.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
HL: I believe aesthetics and flexibility and logics are most important, it is a discerning ability that involves judgment, allowing designers to make thoughtful choices that result in visually pleasing and impactful designs.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
HL: Pen is the most important tool for me.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
HL: I will create detailed timetables and always have a contingency plan in place.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
HL: It depends on what kind of project.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
HL: I will say" Why do we need this?" or "What is this for?"
FS: What was your most important job experience?
HL: "Tibet Shannan" project. This really challenges me as a good designer. But I am very satisfied and proud of the result.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
HL: ENDLESS ROSE, GREY LAB, ENGLISH FACTORY, 2.7 AUGUETAPPAREL, INC. CONVOSO
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
HL: The brand visual identity, characterized by a comprehensive design approach, represents a continuous journey of innovation. Creating a mature and impactful visual identity is a significant challenge that requires meticulous attention to detail and boundless creativity. I am particularly intrigued by such challenges as they ignite my passion and drive for excellence.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
HL: Improve yourself and gain more personal achievements.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
HL: I work as a team, but sometimes I work solo
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
HL: I have another branding project but I can't talk more details for now.
FS: How can people contact you?
HL: Through my work email: 1062815304@gmail.com
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
HL: I would like to express my gratitude to A-design for providing the opportunity to showcase the works of various designers and for creating an unprecedented platform. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and feel honored to receive the award.
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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