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

Jingwen Zhang is an accessory designer who believes all design ideas would come from real life. She was born and raised in Shanghai, China. After she figures out her true calling in accessory design, she comes to the United States for further study and starts her career. She's a designer who is brave to do a lot of new creations and experiment on new materials. People can see a lot of different material combination in her accessory design pieces.

Jingwen Zhang Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jingwen Zhang.

Designer Interview of Jingwen Zhang:

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?

JZ : I grew up in Shanghai, China before arriving in America in 2014 to study Accessory Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). I am currently seeking a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree and is expected to graduate in the spring of 2018. I earned her bachelor degree in Industrial Design at Donghua University. During the learning of accessories design, I realized that my true calling was accessory design because the discipline combines fashion, function, and creativity.

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

JZ : Currently, I work as an individual accessories designer.

DI: What is "design" for you?

JZ : I believe in a good design is the product which could benefit people in their lives.

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

JZ : I prefer to design handbags and footwear for the most of the time.

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

JZ : I prefer high fashion and conceptual design.

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

JZ : Industrial products.

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

JZ : I quite like to experiment with all kinds of different materials.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

JZ : During my design process.

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

JZ : The functionality of the product and the look in a fashion view.

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

JZ : Trying to get as many ideas as possible.

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

JZ : Happiness and feeling its accomplished.

DI: What makes a design successful?

JZ : Being recognized by the public.

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

JZ : Functionality and fashion aspects.

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

JZ : A designer has responsibilities in providing the design which could both benefits people and with ecosystem ideas to protect the environment.

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

JZ : The design field could evolve by seasons and be changeable.

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

JZ : In Savannah, Georgia. I am planning to hold my next exhibition during the summer in New York.

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

JZ : Most of my design is about appealing peoples mind in taking care of their emotions. I feed my creativities and souring inspirations by gaining the market needs.

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?

JZ : My design style is about fashionable and functional.

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?

JZ : Currently, I live in Georgia, USA. Actually, I think my design is with a global lens since I have experience in lived and studied in different countries and culture.

DI: How do you work with companies?

JZ : It depends and varies.

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

JZ : The companies would be good to provide more allowance for a designer to design their ideas. And a good designer would be with modern ideas and keep up with trends.

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

JZ : I did all my design, patterning and making all by myself.

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

JZ : Those are all in the catalogs of footwear and handbags.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

JZ : Hustle and bustle as busy as a bee.

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

JZ : Feel free to spread the ideas and being creative. Just do what you would like and could imagine. It’s all about experiment.

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

JZ : The designer’s life is fun and creative.

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

JZ : Design products which benefit people in lives.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

JZ : Creative and keeping up with the latest fashion trend.

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

JZ : Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop.

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

JZ : I usually gaining my ideas from life. So I would go for walk to exploring ideas.

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

JZ : It usually takes three months.

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

JZ : How to realize the product with the ideas.

DI: What was your most important job experience?

JZ : It’s my first job which affects me a lot in my future career.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

JZ : Those are mostly fashion and accessories companies.

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

JZ : Fashion accessories.

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

JZ : My career goal is trying to be a accessories designer for the luxury brand in the future.

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

JZ : Currently, I develop my designs by myself. But I am also good at work in a team.

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

JZ : Not at this time.

DI: How can people contact you?

JZ : People could contact me either by e-mail serenazhang1210@gmail for business or message by phone would both be good.

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

JZ : That’s it.