We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Qixin Wu ("QW").
Qixin Wu is an experienced textile/surface designer based in NYC. She was born in Fujian, China, and achieved her Master's Degree in Philadelphia. After being in the textile industry for over 7 years, she still enjoys capturing every remarkable moment with photos and paintings and keeps thinking with robust enthusiasm. Besides her commercial achievements, she also founded a non-profit online magazine from 2016 to 2019 in China. The deeper she knows the world, the more curiosities grow in her mind. The bio-cultural journey values her life.
Qixin Wu Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Qixin Wu.
Qixin Wu Design - The Last Blooming Multifunctional Fabrics
Designer Interview of Qixin Wu:
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?
QW : Sure! My name is Qixin Wu. I was born in China, studied abroad in Philadelphia, worked in Manhattan, and am located in New Jersey right now. I have loved to draw from childhood and never gave up recording my memories and experience with drawing. I gained my textile engineering bachelor's in Shanghai but determined my career in the design field. So I went abroad and started my graduate degree in Philadelphia for deep diving into textile design especially in print/surface. Playing with colors, silhouettes, and different materials is much more fun than I thought before.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
QW : I am working for an apparel company and work as freelance textile designer for home textiles.
DI: What is "design" for you?
QW : The definition of design is expanding right now. For me, design is not only about creating something and putting it into use. It is a lifestyle, an aesthetic of living. It contains curiosity for life, enthusiasm for aesthetics, and respect for nature and humanity.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
QW : Graphics, magazines, play with repeats and materials.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
QW : I love the cute and creative idea from Tatsuya Tanaka.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
QW : A new design collection for the upcoming show. In a small fashion design studio.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
QW : For my hobby, I only use a black uni pen, watercolor-color pencil, and watercolor. For design, Adobe Suite.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
QW : Morning and dusk.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
QW : For textile designs, it is color.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
QW : only focus, no emotion at all. If I was stuck, then I would become upset and anxious.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
QW : Happy of course.
DI: What makes a design successful?
QW : Can be easily differentiated from other competitors, but the difference is not its goal.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
QW : Harmony in aesthetics and if it is easy to understand by the users/customers.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
QW : Designers can lead the trends. So the responsibilities are huge, to be honest. Designers should take ownership of what he/she is doing and simultaneously keep growing.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
QW : Yes, the design field is evolving right now. The future might be more in information design, environmentally friendly design, and spiritual pursuit.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
QW : SHenzhen Design week. I don't have any plans right now.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
QW : My subscribes. Read.
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?
QW : I would like to say my design style is pursuing harmony and natural appealing.
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?
QW : I am living in New Jersey, the USA. Yes, I think the surroundings are crucial to your life and how you live your life decides how you put yourself into designs. For the pros and cons, I would like to say it is very close to New York City which is the largest pool for multi-cultures, which is the best opportunity for designers to explore and digest the latest trends and absorb different air from all over the world. The cons I think because I studied abroad and stayed in the USA after 2012, I am far away from my family and hometown. I do have homesickness sometimes.
DI: How do you work with companies?
QW : I was employed by a licensing corp apparel company for now and doing freelance design work for home textiles.