We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Hsianglin Tseng ("HT").
Hsianglin Tseng is an illustrator, living and working in Taipei, Taiwan currently. Fascinated by the connection in space and human, and totally believe that "Who we are" is "How we lives". In her life, she uses her paper and pencil to communicate with the wold. She hopes her painting can let people felt peace and quiet to listen the voice in their mind.
Hsianglin Tseng Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Hsianglin Tseng.
Designer Interview of Hsianglin Tseng:
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?
HT : I draw a lot since I was a child, naturally that lead me to become a designer.
DI: What is "design" for you?
HT : Solve problems and make better world.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
HT : Mostly illustration and graphic design.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
HT : The way I love the Ukiyo-e which is that by using the woodblock print and printing to describe the Edo period daily life. No matter the color or composition that all attract me.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
HT : Linen & pencil.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
HT : Late night.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
HT : Subject and emotion pass to aduience clearly.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
HT : Calmly, like outside the world.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
HT : Like giving birth to a child.
DI: What makes a design successful?
HT : Honest and truth.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
HT : I haven't held an exhibition yet, I hope to hold my first solo exhibition next year.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
HT : Most inspiration come from experience of life. Except read a lot of information, sometime allow myself to veg out a bit, but it’s not mean accurately doing nothing. More like exercise or play video games then make sure my mind flexible to face next “Eureka Moment”.
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?
HT : More like rustic & emotional, I like to use ink or pencil to catch the slight emotional change. Environment also affects my style to keep some eastern element in it.
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?
HT : I live in Taiwan, Taiwan is renowned for its fascinating blend of traditional and modern culture, apparently environment affects my style invisibly. It’s kind of help me to expansion my vision, but also the difficulty part is figure out what kind of style I wanna present the most.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
HT : Most time I do some reference to clean the idea what I want then draw the sketch. Unless I have a clearly picture in my head, otherwise I will rest it for a while. Then change bit by bit when some idea pop out until it completed.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
HT : Rugs、Teapot、Sofa、Mask、Clothes
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
HT : Be honest to yourself.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
HT : Common Pencils、Sketch Book、Ipad、Apple Pencil、Adobe Photoshop、Adobe Illustrator
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
HT : A day to three month.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
HT : Artist’s block
DI: What was your most important job experience?
HT : I was an intern at Jese Design Studio when I was a college student. I met some people there has encouraged me the most in my entire life, and we’re still close friends now.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
HT : McDonald’s Simple Life Laboratory Comedians workshop 53' Golden Bell Awards Jese Design
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
HT : Illustration book, because it can get exposure to other fields.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
HT : I would like try more style and material. Also, try to work in different fields.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
HT : I develop my designs myself.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
HT : I’m preparing an illustration of book by using a lot of technique and subject I never done before.
DI: How can people contact you?
HT : hsianglintseng@gmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
HT : I’m an illustrator, living and working in Taipei, Taiwan. Fascinated by the connection in space and human, and totally believe that "Who we are" is "How we lives". In my life, I use my paper and pencil to communicate with the wold. I hope my paintings can let people felt peace and quiet to listen the voice in their mind. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about me.