We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Nan Zhou ("NZ").
My name is Nan Zhou. The name comes from the earliest anthology of Chinese poem called the “Book of Songs”. I was born in the northernmost province of China, Heilongjiang. Have been involved in many different activities of the environmental protection organizations. I have designed the logo for the Asia-Pacific region of Green Peace. After, designed, as well as participated and took a part in organization of a number of Haloxylon trees protection activities, environmental protection activities organized by Alashan public fund`s Millet project. Participated in the WWF world natural foundation entering China's 35th anniversary activity, and designed its calendar series "in China, together". At the same time I am the Panghao Theater volunteer, and the Dongdongxiezi children's theater art consultant, China and Netherlands cultural foundation art director. At present, stay in Beijing, and also being the Chen's Taijiquan descendant.
Nan Zhou Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Nan Zhou.
Designer Interview of Nan Zhou:
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?
NZ : It reminds me of one time at a factory when I was a kid, around four years old. I drew a lot of pencil lines on a print of Chairman Mao. I was lucky that I escaped punishment since I was a child. Right at this moment I began to be gain interest in painting and started painting classes at school. But my Chinese painting teacher was too strict, so after the first three lessons I never went back to his class anymore. When I was in fourth grade, my classmate sent me a book on an art series of Zhao Mengtiao's paintings which left me a big impression. Eventually, I decided to become an artist in second year of university, and started a systematic study of oil paintings. I was lucky to have the opportunity to learn about commercial art and design , therefore after graduation I entered the advertising company and within three years became the creative director. In 2003 I became the creative director of the Han Jiaying design company in Beijing for over ten years. After all I set up my own design studio. That's the way it is.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NZ : There are many public welfare and cultural fields designs as well as art exhibitions from my design studio. Thereis a hundred years old toon tree at my design studio in Beijing. Right here my life and work rhythm is at a slow pace.
DI: What is "design" for you?
NZ : Although design is positioned between art and industry, good design can let different cultural content be felt, and it may also naturally influence people’s appreciation of beauty.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NZ : I do not appreciate that much practical part of design, I do appreciate art. There are much more functions in design such as symbols, such as perception, such as feeling, such as mood.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NZ : So far, it is still the Chinese calligraphy, especially the art of ancient calligraphers, like the calligraphy of Yan Zhenqing in Tang Dynasty.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NZ : I have taken part in a lot of activities to serve the community, many times I have been a volunteer. For many years I have done the Chinese logo and hieroglyphic design for Greenpeace International Organization. Though it seems naive, but at least I’m trying to do my best.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NZ : I like to draw with Chinese ink on the bamboo paper.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
NZ : When I draw, or paint hieroglyphs in my art studio alone.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
NZ : It is unavoidable to use my knowledge of Chinese culture in the design, and I want to do it better.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NZ : My heart is quiet and I feel much fulfilled.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NZ : At this time I feel a joy, like a child
DI: What makes a design successful?
NZ : There are luck and some laws of nature that make people create a great design.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NZ : Good design requires cultural differences. In my opinion, there must be something ancient, something new and something about myself.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NZ : One needs to be involved in social and environmental activities. To be active, and using design and your own style of life to change the world. This is also the reason why I am an environmentalist.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NZ : Everyone is a designer, everybody designs his own life.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
NZ : 2018, International Design Week in Beijing, “Filled with hieroglyphs” installation art exhibition. My new art exhibition is going to be executed in the second half of this year.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NZ : Most of the ideas come from life, some of them come from art, some of them from some sudden ideas that I take a record of to remember. However, I work very slowly and maybe only after a few years, would I put these ideas into action.
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?
NZ : Chinese native culture has influenced my own design style a lot. This is reasonable because I actually am a Chinese designer. What is your design method? A combination of Chinese and Western styles; brining elements of the past to the present.
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?
NZ : I live in Beijing. Chinese culture has a huge impact on me; it is my background and cultural foundation. There are many opportunities in China, but because of the time requirements and government engagement there are plenty of horrible designs here.
DI: How do you work with companies?
NZ : Naturally formed company relationships and good design can make cooperation more enjoyable.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
NZ : An equal appreciation of beauty is the most important thing. Not only should everyone trust one another, but also make choices from an angle of a friend. This leads to a long lasting cooperation.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
NZ : It was a big luck to meet such as great design mentor at Han Jiaying company and work together for ten years. I have successfully put knowledge into practice, established my own beauty appreciation and design habits.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
NZ : Since 2016 until now I’ve been working on “Hieroglyph graffiti” series, I’ve been searching for hieroglyphs and draw them with ink in over than hundred places in Beijing, this job truly makes me put my soul in it. There are many painted hieroglyphs at my home as well.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
NZ : Have a rest until noon, in the afternoon go to the art studio, in the evening begin to draw or read, also practice traditional Taijiquan. After midnight at two or three o clock start to sleep, that’s how I finish my day.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
NZ : Good design is a time, is an era, even a part of the local culture. But the mother tongue, high level of appreciation of beauty are the most important. At the very beginning, it is very important for young designers to establish the appreciation of beauty, learn about professional design technology and use of multi materials. At the same time it is better to improve quickly all the three areas of knowledge.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
NZ : Positive side is that I can always use my imagination. Negative is that I always find myself busy working.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
NZ : Copy is a death.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
NZ : Be sensitive to beauty and … make it.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
NZ : Most of them come from the non-computer generated artificial field. I really care about hands-on abilities and craftsmanship. Mixed use of Oriental and Western painting tools, a large number of works of art, music, books，experiences in life, and habits of the random drawing.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
NZ : Slow and meticulous work, make design tasks as far as possible in my accustomed time. Others will be rejected.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
NZ : It usually takes one to two months. But as for “hieroglyphs graffiti” series it took me much longer time, for now its been almost three years and still unfinished.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
NZ : How to make good design?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
NZ : The experience of discovering the beauty in everyday life.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
NZ : At present, some of my favorite customers are WWF World Wild Fund, SEE Alashan public commonweal foundation, Taiwan Dacheng company.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
NZ : Maybe some that come down to local Chinese culture, they are closer to my own habits.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
NZ : I am preparing works of art, new installation works, collecting data, and raising funds for my own art exhibition.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
NZ : Mixed, team and my own developed design.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
NZ : As for now, “hieroglyphs graffiti” series and works on the art of behaviour are coming out. As well as cooperation with VANCL, series of design T-shirts should be done in the end of summer.
DI: How can people contact you?
NZ : Phone number, e-mail, Wechat, Weibo or just come to my design studio in Beijing at Suoyi Hutong N33.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
NZ : Its been too many questions for now.