We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative ECUST | Hao SHAN ("E|HS").
ECUST | Hao SHAN is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
ECUST | Hao SHAN Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by ECUST | Hao SHAN.
ECUST | Hao SHAN Design - HYZY World Youth Activity Center Corporate Identity
ECUST | Hao SHAN Design - Nirvana World Photography
ECUST | Hao SHAN Design - School of Journalism CUC Branding Identity
Designer Interview of ECUST | Hao SHAN:
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
E|HS : CRE+Design, established in Shanghai in 2009, specializes in brand design. Over the years, we have partnered with a wide range of leading Chinese and global brands. Our work has been honored with numerous international design awards and has gained broad recognition in the market for its creativity and impact.
DI: What is "design" for you?
E|HS : Design is art, but it is also expression and strategy — a fusion of aesthetics and functionality.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
E|HS : Creative and playful design is what I value.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
E|HS : There’s a bit of pressure, but I perform best when I’m in a good mental state.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
E|HS : What I focus on most during the design process is choosing the right form of expression and finding a unique creative idea.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
E|HS : Dedication and focus are the foundations of good design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
E|HS : It brings me great joy when a thoughtfully designed piece is executed and implemented effectively.
DI: What makes a design successful?
E|HS : Design success depends on multiple factors — the professionalism of the design team, as well as the client’s understanding, execution, and commitment to the design.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
E|HS : From a market perspective, a good design should help a brand build influence and open up its market. From a design perspective, originality and distinctiveness are key.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
E|HS : An unavoidable reality is that AI is rapidly transforming the design industry. While it enhances efficiency and accelerates development, it also raises expectations for creativity. Skills that cannot be replaced by algorithms will become increasingly valuable.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
E|HS : An open mind and a broad knowledge base are essential for finding true inspiration in design.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
E|HS : What makes this industry truly appealing is the ability to create work that holds both aesthetic value and creativity. On the downside, for visual designers, our work can often feel like that of a doctor — many complex problems require a hands-on approach. Our productivity is inherently limited, and there are often no viable alternatives or shortcuts.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
E|HS : It's difficult to generalize timelines — they depend greatly on the scale of the project and the time the client can allocate. I do not take on projects that are rushed to the point where the quality of design cannot be ensured.
DI: How can people contact you?
E|HS : creplus@163.com