We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Shuangyong Jin ("SJ").
Shuangyong Jin is an architect with 15 years architecture practice. He gradually discovered his interest and talent in furniture design and woodworking. He has strong hands-on skill and is good at designing from an aspect of spatial integration. In 2019, Jin and another partners found Donxi, a Chinese furniture design brand established in Shanghai. Learning from essence of Eastern and Western culture, Donxi develops a modern artistic aesthetic, with a basis of Chinese traditional handicrafts skillset while bringing in industrial manufacture technique. By integrating contemporary design and Chinese quintessence, Donxi commits to build a brand with Chinese identity while facing the world market.
Shuangyong Jin Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Shuangyong Jin.
Shuangyong Jin Design - Clover High Stool
Designer Interview of Shuangyong Jin:
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?
SJ : I am an architect. I studied architecture and worked in architecture companies, but furniture is always my passion and dream. When I was young, I saw my dad made simple furnitures himself. I remember a small bamboo basket which is a vegetable container for my grandma.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
SJ : I created this studio with my friend Yunfei, who is also a designer. Furniture and Interior is our main focus.
DI: What is "design" for you?
SJ : a creative way to solve problem, and enlighten life.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
SJ : everything that can create a better life.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
SJ : It is a hanger with the shape of heart, when we did an interior home design for a guy couple. They love each other so much that we can feel tons of love in their home. They taught me to cherish the present in life.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
SJ : The clover stool
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
SJ : When running or walking alone.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
SJ : Techniques of production
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
SJ : Touching, with a bit of lonely
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
SJ : I was so excited every time when I see it was realized.
DI: What makes a design successful?
SJ : It needs team work, from design to production, to market understanding. Designer's work is only a small part.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
SJ : user's feeling.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
SJ : help to build a better world in a creative way.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
SJ : Every people could be a designer. Design is in our every day, every time, every where.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
SJ : Last time was Design Shanghai 2021.06. Next one is Design Shanghai 2022.06. Look forwards to going abroad after the Covid.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
SJ : My inspiration comes from daily life. I had the first drawing of the Clover stool in a meal when eating three-clover which is a traditional Shanghai cuisine.
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?
SJ : cute and practical
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?
SJ : Shanghai. I love the Chinese traditional woodwork very much. Crafts is a basis for my design.
DI: How do you work with companies?
SJ : We have many corporate client, in interior and furniture design.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
SJ : Creativity and efficiency are both important for a good designer.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
SJ : thinking alone, brainstorming with team, a lot of sketching, discussing, and a lot of sketching again.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
SJ : Pen, any paper.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
SJ : I get to the studio in the early morning, cleaning the space, watering flowers. This is my own time. Many discussions and sketches with the team during the day. I usually go jogging in the evening along the river.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
SJ : Go see the world, it is infinitely big. So is our brain.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
SJ : positives: can see how your design change people's daily life. negatives: no negative. If there is, had to be wealthy in material world.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
SJ : there is no rules or a fixed rule. Maybe the belief of 'I can do it'.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
SJ : thinking, sketching
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
SJ : Hand sketching is the most important.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
SJ : I didn't do very well in terms of balancing my time on work and family. But the time spending with my son also gives my a lot of inspiration.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
SJ : The fastest, half year; The longest 2 years or so.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
SJ : How to realize this?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
SJ : A volunteer work with the Chinese artist Guoqiang Cai
DI: Who are some of your clients?
SJ : Electromobile NIO; Real Estate Developer Shui On Land; Coffee Brand: Seesaw Coffee
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
SJ : designing small things, as it bring small happiness
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
SJ : Be a better designer, create better designs.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
SJ : I work with a small team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
SJ : I'm doing for my own home's interior and furniture design. It will be my ideal proving ground. I'm so exited in this experience and can wait to see its result.
DI: How can people contact you?
SJ : shuangyong.jin@use-donxi.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
SJ : A'design Award is such a caring organization that would like to know more of our design and designers. Thank you for your time.