We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Yang PENG ("YP").
As a maker of elegant space and an advocate of poetic life, Yang focuses on problem solving and communication, and realizes the balance between aesthetics and practicality during every design project. As for 8C Art Space she runs, it could provides precise design services covering space remodeling, style positioning and interior furnishings. It embarks on design journeys with clients as a collective experience to explore market demands, environment sustainability and design technology with the hope of resonating with their shared positions.
Yang PENG Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Yang PENG.
Yang PENG Design - Blank Project Office
Yang PENG Design - Spark Residential Home
Designer Interview of Yang PENG:
DI: 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?
YP : My father was a craftsman and my husband is a designer, they subtly influence my design career. Yes, I’ve always wanted to be a designer. Design is just like spiritual opium both for my life and work.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
YP : 8C Design is committed to being a maker of elegant space and an advocate of poetic life. The company provides precise design services covering space remodeling, style positioning and interior furnishings. We embark on design journeys with our clients as a collective experience to explore market demands, environment sustainability and design technology with the hope of resonating with our shared positions. We firmly believe that design is problem solving and communication. Meanwhile, from spatial solution point of view, the company emphasizes the balance between aesthetics and practicality.
DI: What is "design" for you?
YP : Solving Problems.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
YP : Architecture Design.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
YP : My favorite design should give us a feeling of nature, simple, raw and joviality.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
YP : The symbol(DNA)of company.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
YP : The favorite material is raw stone.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
YP : When I get alone.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
YP : My focus would be safety and durability.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
YP : Without any emotion, just focus on design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
YP : When I fall in a design mood, nothing can stop me thinking but the closure of project. Sometimes I feel depressed when it finishes, just feel like ending a relationship.
DI: What makes a design successful?
YP : I have no idea how to define the success, winning an award or getting recognition from the public？If so, a considerable client and work-hard team would be indispensable.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
YP : Consider if the presentation of design meets the original purpose.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
YP : Update living environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
YP : Circular economy will be main topic in the future of design.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
YP : Inspiration may happen in anywhere: a trip, a conversation, or even a diner. Live a life in another way to earn much more possibilities in design.
DI: 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?
YP : Monochrome could present my design style, as being simple and clear is a challenge thing while process a design. The methodology of design：pose questions, do researches, know background, brief requirements and challenges, come up with ideas, find out the better answer. Mostly we have to circle this methodology if the result is not satisfying.
DI: 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?
YP : I live in China. The Chinese culture is rich and affects our life and mind indeed. Every culture has its own attribute. No matter whether it positive or not, they all could promote the development of design in country.
DI: How do you work with companies?
YP : I prefer listening to opinions of my companies, learning things from different angles may help me be close to the “answer”.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
YP : Focus would be the important thing.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
YP : Pose questions, do researches, know background, brief requirements and challenges, come up with ideas, find out the better answer. Mostly we have to circle this methodology if the result is not satisfying.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
YP : UTRECHT、LC4、UP、Juicy Salif
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
YP : Work, eat, drink and breath.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
YP : Just experience what you do now.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
YP : Million times challenges and Non-stop thinking are both positive as well as negative.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
YP : Solving problems.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
YP : Know how to communicate with people or space.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
YP : Movies and philosophy books is food of inspiration.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
YP : Design method helps us to plan out the timetable. However sometimes, balance between work and family should be seriously managed during a task.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
YP : It is hard to give an accurate length of project. Some could be completed in a year around, and even more took much longer. There are many factors to decide the duration.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
YP : Clients had asked me many questions. But I did not summarize the frequently asked question, which is regular about design and budget; instead, the novel and strange question could intrigue me a lot.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
YP : What I do now is important for me.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
YP : Honestly, they are rich indeed, and stick to the suitable high-quality life, instead of squandering and flaunting their wealth.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
YP : Yes, we work as a team.
DI: How can people contact you?
YP : Email: mengzhang@8cpsace.com