We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Peilun Li ("PL").
I traveled round the world for one year in 2008-2009. Besides being a designer, I used to be an editor, a farmer, and a street magazine circulation director at the same time. I am interested in Argentina Tango, Taichi and Traditional Chinese medicine. To keep curious about unknown and to keep learning is my life Philosophy.
Peilun Li Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Peilun Li.
Designer Interview of Peilun Li:
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?
PL : My major was Interior Design in university but I dreamed of becoming a dancer at that time. After graduated, I might escape from this professional field or have multiple jobs at the same time. Until three years ago, I failed to carry out design work due to health factors. In the meantime, I suddenly realized that design is my true love. And the involvement of various fields in the past 20 years allows me to keep an open mind when thinking. This helps me review the reality of design all the time and enjoy its beauty.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
PL : My design studio is based in Taipei. The projects locate in China, Taiwan and H.K.
DI: What is "design" for you?
PL : For me, design is to improve the relationship between people and objects.There is nothing that can’t be designed and there is always room for improvement.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
PL : Anything. But I'm more concerned about public space designs.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
PL : I visited Lunuganga in Sri Lanka designed by Geoffrey Bawa this Spring. The continuous scenes flow with objects, nature and time, which impressed me very much. It is an excellent relation between person and architecture in the nature world.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
PL : A private apartment.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
PL : I used to love the metal’s characteristics. Now I am fascinated by fabric and leather.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
PL : After alengthoftime of rehabilitation. Sometimes it could be a travel, a retreat or a just a break.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
PL : The users. Architectural interior design is a human environmental psychology. The human behaviors and their senses affect each other tortuously. This is the aspect that I am used to spend more time in when designing.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
PL : It’s a combination of pain and happiness.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
PL : A sense of accomplishment.
DI: What makes a design successful?
PL : I believe when the design gets the achievement of truth, excellence and then beauty, it will be successful. And this is the right order.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
PL : Truthfulness to the design is always first priority. The originality is not supposed to be ignored and twisted. Rather, all the unnecessary intentions are supposed to be put away.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
PL : When respect the physical condition of a project, we can save energy as much as possible. When face and restructure the real needs of users, we will not over-design. If we can do it with materials from cradle to cradle, better. Ｔhe highest level is to propose systematic plans from the perspective of social design by crossover cooperation with different professions. Sometimes the best design is invisible.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
PL : There is no limitation on the theme. There is nothing that can’t be designed. We can pursue the advancement of science and technology but all the intensions must be humble. Designers must respect the ethics of the world.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
PL : I respect the original quality of the existing ‘people, time, object, place, theme’ in the project. I spend time in observing all of them and seeing the interaction of each other. Then I create. The design is generated.
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?
PL : I have no specific style. The designer needs to implement “character” above “style”.
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?
PL : I come from Taiwan. This island has inherited the traditions of Chinese culture and has also been colonized by many countries. It seems open here to absorb different information quickly, but what the "Taiwanese style" is still not clearly defined. For me, it is not a problem. As long as we fully respect the specific essences and rational conditions of each projects, design has no “style” issue.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
PL : To be a good designer, one does not only know the clients by eyes/ears, but understands them by brains, and even more loves them by heart. When a client selects a designer to work with, s/he must take this character into account besides the professional ability.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
PL : 1. Alfi thermos 2. La Cocotte Staub 3. Fellow-Stagg swan neck kettle4. Fuji Royal R220 grinder5.Dyson hair Dryer
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
PL : As a personal studio designer, I can arrange my time flexibly. I usually do exercise for half to one hour, then make a brunch and enjoy it slowly. After that I start the day's work. When feeling tired, I will go out to for a movie or an exhibition, or just get together with friends. After I am home again, I will keep working if I am in the mood. Before the end of the day, I am used to meditate and then do acupuncture for myself to get deep rest mentally and physically.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
PL : Always redefine what you see and what you hear.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
PL : When we empty ourselves, the work speaks for itself.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
PL : Ability of observation and skill of sketch.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
PL : Sketch books, pens, pencils, crayon, watercolor, CAD.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
PL : As a senior designer, I don’t spend time fixed in front of the computer. I can do design efficiently as long as I am concentrated. Sometimes when I am commuting or in the coffee shop.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
PL : It depends on the scales of the projects.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
PL : “Is your home beautiful?”
DI: What was your most important job experience?
PL : Besides being a designer, I used to be an editor, a farmer, and a street magazine circulation director at the same time. To keep curious about unknown and to keep learning is my life Philosophy.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
PL : I am always interested in designing of variety types of projects I have never done before.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
PL : Taiwan will surpass Japan in 2025 to become a "super ageing society." That is, 20% of the population is over 65 years old. I am very concerned about the design issues of the elderly population and hope to propose a new type of old-age housing model in connection with social design.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
PL : By myself.
DI: How can people contact you?
PL : Via email: peilunli2007@gmail.com