We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Tingting Han ("TH").

Tingting HAN who also called Nicole is a story, not usually you can hear in China. She graduated from graphic design major, worked 6 years in Shanghai as an art director in a brand identity company. When everything seemed so good, she quitted her job and went to Tokyo to study fashion design in Bunka fashion college with huge courage. Then she transferred to ESMOD Tokyo for one year and continued the 3rd year in ESMOD Paris Nouvelle couture traditional major. As she always says:"Dream is not only a dream", her dream is coming true by her great effort and innate skill.

Tingting Han Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Tingting Han.

Designer Interview of Tingting Han:

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?

TH : The major of my first bachelor degree is graphic design. I worked in Shanghai, China for 6 years as an art director. Then I went to Japan and studied fashion design in Bunka fashion college and ESMOD TOKYO. Last year, I graduated from Nouvelle Couture Traditionnelle of ESMOD Paris. I fond of drawing pictures since I was a child. And becoming a fashion designer is one of my dreams since then. In fact, when I was in junior high school, I wanted to be a mathematician or a biologist.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

TH : In fact, it's a really new studio which I officially started this year. Currently, it focused on women's luxury custom service. We make sample garments and take photo shooting, then post online, and produce by clients' order. In the future, we will open men's wear line and accessories too.

DI: What is "design" for you?

TH : It's a part of my life, or I can say it's part of my body. As I have studied and worked in serval different design industries, there is no dividing line to me. Different design inspires each other. I'm interested in new designs and new technique to keep up with the time, and at the same time I also love to study from classic arts and designs.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

TH : No limited. From the concept to the production, I can charge the whole process.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

TH : The design which I only sketched but haven't produced. Because until I complete it, it's still variable and mystery.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

TH : I haven't designed any garment for any company yet, except myself's. But my first graphic design was a category for LafargeHolcim in an AD company.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

TH : My favorite materials are leather and silk. And I use Pinterest to do research a lot. I love tanning technology for leather and dripping for stretch fabric.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

TH : After watched a movie or read a book, especially in the night with a glass of wine, it's my most creative moment.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

TH : I always focus on how to explain beauty in my own way, and sending some messages from that.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

TH : I enjoy design work very much. It always makes me quite happy and relaxed. As I said the design is a part of my life, I just need to find a moment and the best way to express it.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

TH : I proud of my design all the time, or else I won't show it to anybody. But after my design has been realized, I always calm down and re-examine it as a judge. It could make me improve myself.

DI: What makes a design successful?

TH : I think strong concept, imagination, knowledge and motivation are very necessary.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

TH : I consider it depends on function, practicability, development, and personality.

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

TH : I think as a designer, we should try to make this world more beautiful, make people enjoy their life more and more.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

TH : I think the dividing line between design fields will disappear. And it will be a lot of tools for people design everything easier and even somebody doesn't have too much knowledge of technique. More personality and humanlity.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

TH : The 30th October 2016 in Dubai. In fact, it was not my personal exhibition, it was Dubai Fashion Show of Esmod. I hope in the end of this year, I could have my own one in Paris.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

TH : Natural elements, architectures, and artwork always inspire me. I always take photos of everything which I feel interesting. And of course, I also read a lot of design magazines and do some research on Pinterest.

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?

TH : I think my design is quite easy to identify. It's always a little bit sexy, and with some artwork and concept in it. I would like to explore a way to express the beauty of human's silhouette and natural. I hope I can send some messages to explain our concept. The main characteristics of my style are respecting natural and art. I love to use some elements of them. I always to some research before I design anything, then make sure the concept and elements, sketch them or draping them with fabric directly.

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?

TH : I live in Paris now. As I have lived in Japan and China for a long time, all the cultural heritages of these countries affects my design even my life quite well. As Ernest Hemingway said:"If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for all of Paris is a moveable feast." I think Paris brought me a very special experience. It's quite easy to learn classic museums, and also easy to know the modern artworks from some galleries.

DI: How do you work with companies?

TH : As I was an art director, I had my team in the company. We supported each other, cooperated with other departments and took the responsibility to our company and client. I had a really nice time then.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

TH : I think clear brief and good communication are very important to companies and designers. For a company, a good designer should have not only talent and responsibility, also should have team-work spirit.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

TH : Work harder and play harder, and keep following all the informations or news about the project.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

TH : A pineapple metal bowl, a paper chair by STOOLY, a metal poppy flower decoration, Wacom BAMBOO notebook and DIPTYQUE X JULIEN COLOMBIER: HOLIDAY COLLECTION.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

TH : A new day always starts with a cup lemongrass tea, then yoga, quick shower, breakfast. After that, I go to work or work at home.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

TH : Never stop studying new things, because there is no limited of this world.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

TH : I think we are really lucky to be a designer. This profession makes us look this world in a special way. The best thing is you will enjoy it every day, every moment if you want. I can't find any negative things with that.

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

TH : Aesthetic supermercy.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

TH : The sense of beauty.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

TH : Sketchbook, pencil, Pinterest, Photoshop, Illustrator...

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

TH : Make a reasonable schedule and follow it.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

TH : It depends on a lot of things. Normally, one simply piece only costs me less than a week. But some of Haute couture garments took over 3 months.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

TH : "How could you do that?" People always couldn't understand how did I finish my work.

DI: What was your most important job experience?

TH : I have worked in a brand identity company as an art director for a long time. During that time, I

DI: Who are some of your clients?

TH : No famous people yet.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

TH : Creativity design work makes me enjoy the most.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

TH : I'm going to complete my new luxury collection in this year and find some studios to produce. And at the same time, I hope to have the opportunity to work in some big companies.

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

TH : I work by myself now.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

TH : I'm working on my luxury ready-to-wear collection now.

DI: How can people contact you?

TH : nicole.htt@gmail.com and http://facebook.com/nicolehonparis/