We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Zhang Jinyu ("ZJ").
Studio Zhang is a personal freelance design studio. Three years of architectural design practitioners who pay attention to the relationship between the built environment and the interior, and the locality of the design. Studio Zhang has received honors in various local and international competitions. The studio makes creative suggestions for urban development and renewal in third world countries mainly through competition.
Zhang Jinyu Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Zhang Jinyu.
Zhang Jinyu Design - Coast Whale Chapel
Zhang Jinyu Design - Floating Chip Library
Designer Interview of Zhang Jinyu:
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?
ZJ : As an architectural student who has stepped out of the traditional Chinese education system, he is now studying further in the rich artistic and cultural atmosphere of Milan. Careful observation and thinking of the living environment made me embark on the path of becoming an architect. I have tried many hobbies since I was very young, but only painting and art have remained until now. It is the persistence from the past to the present that shaped my future career plan.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ZJ : My personal studio has just started, Studio Zhang will flexibly use the Internet as a working platform. Hope to be able to get more job opportunities around the world.
DI: What is "design" for you?
ZJ : To be precise, architectural design is not just a deliberate attitude, the expression of personal style, but also a positive reflection on social issues. The dissemination of personal ideas by designers needs to be more in line with the times. This is a problem that young designers must face.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ZJ : I prefer projects with strong personal thinking. There are also buildings with strong locality. This unique design participates in the contemporary torrent. It seems to be a work worth discussing in the future.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ZJ : Recently, I am concerned about American pop art. This unique modern art form has inspired me a lot.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ZJ : It is a bamboo bridge in the countryside, a small town in my hometown. It is the first work designed to have a connection with society.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ZJ : I tend to be light-weight and let people feel the progress of technology. The changes brought about by the light structure are in line with the contemporary complex and changing social problems.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
ZJ : Maybe at night, I am used to working at night, which gives me more concentration.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ZJ : The innovation of the design, the degree of completion, and the relevance of the social city.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ZJ : Emotions are cyclical. From the initial excitement of inspiration to the patience of advancing, these are the processes that each project must go through.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ZJ : I am often dissatisfied with my design and will often reflect on it and view my design in a comprehensive manner.
DI: What makes a design successful?
ZJ : I think the necessary conditions for successful design are mature teamwork and suitable design partners. They can make your design avoid falling into a paranoid situation.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ZJ : Whether a good design is simple but perfectly solves the problem of the venue. Not an elusive result.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ZJ : It is undeniable that the role of the designer is not very large in social development. But every tiny light spot of thought can bring pleasure to people in a small part or even a small area is a great result.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ZJ : It is a design that follows the development of technology. Design interprets new technologies in better ways, which is also the task of good designers.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ZJ : My most recent exhibition was one of my urban renewal designs, Chengzhong Village, Seoul, South Korea, Shenzhen Biennale. The next exhibition may be a design award-winning exhibition.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ZJ : My inspiration comes from a lot of learning, and words or film works give me a lot of inspiration.
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?
ZJ : My design style includes many reinterpretations of art. The public has no interest in the history of art. But my design can give them a sense of participation and identity. People and architecture, architecture and environment have never been an isolated topic.
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?
ZJ : I currently live in Milan. But I come from a city in southern China, and the acceptance and freedom of design in southern China is even higher. A large number of young designers are freely pursuing better and higher quality design projects. It even produced a design style belonging to China.
DI: How do you work with companies?
ZJ : The operation of the company is mature. I went to many multinational design companies for an internship. I learned a lot from it.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ZJ : Good work habits and communication are sometimes more important than design skills.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ZJ : I usually start with a sketch, because this is the fastest way. More important is the accumulation of usual thoughts.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ZJ : My teacups, vases on the dining table, my floor lamp, my drawing pen, and my notebook are all things I use every day.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
ZJ : My day is usually short, and design and reading take up most of the time. I occasionally paint to express my emotions.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ZJ : Believe in your interesting idea, and realize it, spread it.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ZJ : The positive influence makes me more interested in observing life, and I often see many places that others overlook. The negative effect is probably that I have very little sleep.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ZJ : Don't let people guess your design, make your design more powerful and clear.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
ZJ : The ability to accurately and quickly show the inspiration in the brain to the customer also has imagination.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ZJ : Usually use professional architectural design software. There is also a series of parameterized auxiliary software.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ZJ : Time management is important, so there is usually a detailed schedule. The cooperation of the team can also make more reasonable and efficient use of time.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ZJ : It depends on the scale of the design. It ranges from one month to one year.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ZJ : Who do you design for, where do you design, and what changes does your design bring.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
ZJ : I used to work for a while at IAPA in Guangzhou, where I met colleagues with high ability. See more possibilities during the cooperation.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
ZJ : It is usually a commercial project and personal commission.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ZJ : Personal entrustment, because it allows me to use my mind more freely.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ZJ : In the future, I plan to apply for a job in the United States. My experience of studying in Europe made me want to reach a more mature market.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ZJ : Most of them are projects of yourself and friends. But also participated in the design task of too many people.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
ZJ : One of my home interior renovations. Its scale is very small, and it is entrusted by the family. New furniture design based on my family's lifestyle is very interesting.
DI: How can people contact you?
ZJ : mailbox：cheetazhang@gmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
ZJ : I think temporarily enough.