We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Xiaofei Cui ("XC").
Xiaofei Cui (Angus Cui) graduated from University of Northumbria at Newcastle UK, where he received MA degree in industrial design. Xiaofei Cui began his design career from 1993 in the wide field, including graphic design, interior design, exhibition design and product design. Since 2009 he as a full time lecturer teaches at Art & Design School of Zhengzhou University of Light Industry in China, and he has also been the course leader for the exchange students from Edinburgh Napier University. So far has completed 6 important design project with clients, get more than 20 international design awards by himself or as a instructor with his students, such as IDEA Silver Award, K Design Golden Award, A Design Golden Award, IF, Red Dot, Lexus, Braun, CDN Car Design and so on.
Xiaofei Cui Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Xiaofei Cui.
Designer Interview of Xiaofei Cui:
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?
XC : 1993, product designer, BA, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry, ZHENGZHOU/CHINA.2006, product designer, MA, Northumbria University, NEWCASTLE/UK.I think the main reason to become a designer is I love creating beautiful things when I was a child, especially like to drawing something in my fantasy world. It quickly became clear to me in high school that I love Chinese traditional painting and western oil painting. I don't know anything about design at that time actually, not just me, even in the whole society of China. Fortunately something happened in the late 80s of last century of my country. I got chance to study the product design in the local University, and also that is my first time understand the concept of design, and I really enjoy to create some different. I believe that choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
XC : I currently work in university and serve in some design education institutions. Design education is my main job, and I also work as a design consultant in some design companies and enterprises of China.
DI: What is "design" for you?
XC : Design is my life.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
XC : Furniture design.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
XC : Philippe Starck's Juicy Salif, I think it is not just a product, it is a work of art in the kitchen.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
XC : I think it's important to understand the background of the client and the project.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
XC : Usually, I prefer metal and wood as processing materials, and recently I am interested in use 3D printers printing complex plastic structures.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
XC : Actually, I often have good ideas when I in the toilet. Another occasion is brainstorming with the right guys.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
XC : Aesthetics and experience.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
XC : The challenge of design always make me feel more exciting.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
XC : I think as same as other designer.
DI: What makes a design successful?
XC : In-depth research.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
XC : Aesthetic.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
XC : Make your products live longer,don't be a earth killer.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
XC : In my opinion, the future of design is based on the thinking and rethinking of mankind's position.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
XC : So far I haven't had a solo exhibition, but part of my design works have been exhibited in Europe, Asia and the United States for some well-known professional design awards, as well as on the website. I think I will to hold the solo exhibition at the right time.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
XC : I like to read all kinds of books, not just in design. I believe that if you want to make a breakthrough improvements in some design field, you must have the knowledge out of that area. Especially after reaching a certain height of your design level, I think only philosophy can help you to develop your design skills.
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?
XC : In my opinion, the best style is without style, that mean design is not for style, design is for people's life style, so it can be any styles.
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?
XC : I am currently living in China. Actually I think the local lifestyle influence my design more than culture. The design market in China is very huge, but the disadvantages are also obvious, there are many bragging people in the business field, and just few people who do practical design in deep.
DI: How do you work with companies?
XC : I often work with different design companies and face to the customers independently sometimes. In both cases I generally play the role as a team leader.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
XC : Different companies have different requirements for designers actually. So generally speaking, the first thing is to see whether he likes the design work or not, and whether his design work will exceed the expected target, because good designers will always fight with themselves, not just to finish the project.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
XC : Usually focus on the theme first, then understand the concept, and then testing the project by researching, sketching and modeling.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
XC : Dell computer, iPhone, SUnus children's chair, Xiaomi AI smart speaker, Ninebot Self-Balancing Scooter.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
XC : When there is a teaching task, I usually get up at 6:30. the morning hours are given to my students from 8:00 until 12:00. In the afternoon, sometimes face to the computer do some research at home. 17:00-18:30 is my fitness time, and 20:00-23:00 actually is the best golden time for me to design something.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
XC : First of all, make sure you really love design and enjoy it. Secondly, you should have a wide range of knowledge and social responsibility. Thirdly, always concentrate in one direction that you really interested in. Finally, sometimes you should stop talking, but never stop practicing.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
XC : I do not think it can be divided by positive and negative, designers often has two distinct personality, if you find the balance between subjective and objective in the different project, you will be a good designer.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
XC : Making is thinking, thinking with your hands is more important than learning theory.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
XC : Sketching and modeling.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
XC : Usually I testing and thinking during my design project by making a large number of models. Sketches and CAD just used as auxiliary tools. I will take photos after the final model completed, and use Photoshop to make detailed modifications. I believe inspiration comes from making things, not just reading book or searching on the google .
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
XC : Make the timetable for each case.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
XC : In most simple cases, at least three months for me.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
XC : From 2016 to 2017, I worked as a senior lecturer and a senior designer in product design department at the Edinburgh Napier University in the UK, and completed the graduation design work for undergraduate graduates. The students I coached were selected for the 2017 New Designers Exhibition in London.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
XC : Sunon-China, Nanjing Jiayuan Special Electric Vehicle Manufacturing CO.,LTD, Banu-China, Google Ventures, adidas, etc
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
XC : I prefer furniture design, because it's much more easily to control the processing by myself.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
XC : I am going to publish a personal design portfolio book, including personal perspective of design.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
XC : In most cases I am working as a team leader.
DI: How can people contact you?
XC : Email:anguscui2003@gmail.com 306121170@qq.com Mobile: 0086 13700857101, 0086 15639000482