We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Nancy Zhang ("NZ").
An international independent visual artist, designer and writer. Born in Tianjin and graduated in Beijing film academy in China, has published several books such as “Encounters”, “ Style Art Life”, “ No Truth without Ruth”. Art book “ Encounters” won the 11th ICMA bronze award (2021) and project “60 days” won the 64th CA’s illustration award of excellence (2022). As a creator, a “bridge” between east and west, I want to bring the unique warmth and humanity to the world.
Nancy Zhang Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Nancy Zhang.
Nancy Zhang Design - Shapes of Light Decorative Scarf
Designer Interview of Nancy 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?
NZ : Actually I come from a designer family, my dad used to be a textile designer and my mom used to be graphic designer. Personally being a designer is not a goal to achieve but a heritage choice.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
NZ : I have a personal art studio combines the visual art projects and design projects together.
DI: What is "design" for you?
NZ : Tangible art pieces.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
NZ : Graphics & Textiles.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
NZ : So far my most favorite design is about my upcoming illustration book “60 Days” , from the concept making, researching, illustration drawing, writing and actual book design, I have put the most effort in it.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
NZ : Character designs for film making.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
NZ : From my personal opinion, the classic natural materials are always the most sustainable and stable.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
NZ : Usually after I had a unforgettable dream in the morning time.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
NZ : Detached from the reality world.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
NZ : Usually very calm and I would be slightly happier if the results came out better than I imagined.
DI: What makes a design successful?
NZ : Timing, society needs and creativity.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
NZ : The concept of a design.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
NZ : How to make the products in a sustainable way or how to use the graphics to deliver questions to the people.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
NZ : The design field evolving rely on the society circumstance changes and technology developing. People’s creativity has no time or progress limits.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
NZ : My latest design collaboration works was shortly exhibited by A design award and I was really honored. So far I am focusing on finish my new publication.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
NZ : Everything in the world could feed my creativity especially natural phenomenons. It could be my dream, a sparking of conversation or a piece of snow flake.
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 : Colorful, minimal and joyful. I would like to share this emotional connections with the costumers through these design works.
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 : Currently I am based in Berlin as an artist. Indeed my drawing style was slightly get influenced by Bauhaus aesthetics.
DI: How do you work with companies?
NZ : Generally I take offers from clients and work remotely recent years.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
NZ : It depends on which goal the company wants to achieve and what kinds of customers they are looking for. Designer and the company is partnership, matching is the most important thing.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
NZ : Concept, researching, sketching, discussion the availability with team and make samples, going to manufacture progress after everything confirmed.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
NZ : The whole apartment interior arrangements, blankets, basket vase, lamp and my chairs.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
NZ : A simple day started from a cup of coffee then focusing on the working list I have to do. I prefer late afternoon or evening time during the week because I could relax and have fun with the people.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
NZ : No suggestion generally, everyone’s character are different and what they need are also different, Youth supposed to be passionate, idealistic and make many mistakes then everything will work out.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
NZ : There’s no specific positives or negatives in any kind of field from my opinion. Everything changes all the time base on the environment and society changes.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
NZ : Maintain the emotion and creativity, that’s the only advantage of human.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
NZ : Open mindedness.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
NZ : Either classic drawing tools or digital.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
NZ : Use the time when I am on the way. I bring my notebooks and sketch book with my all the time.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
NZ : It depends on each specific project, it could take years, also could take months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
NZ : How did you draw this and which kind of tool you use. I simply don’t like these kind of technical questions because I think the basic concept is far more important than making progress.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
NZ : My life experience.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
NZ : Because all the clients are important and respectful, so it not fair if I only choose few to write.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
NZ : It used to be fashion design of course but nowadays I am also very much into architecture designs.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
NZ : Plans always change so I keep it quietly.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
NZ : Yes we do collaborate as a team remotely.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
NZ : My new book’s cover design and the chapter arrangements.
DI: How can people contact you?
NZ : info@nancy-zhang.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
NZ : I think these questions almost covered everything I would like to talk about. Thank you for everything. In the end I hope my new works could meet everyone soon.