We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Yuxi Liu ("YL").
Yuxi is a Graphic and UI&UX designer based in NYC, holding a Master of Science in Packaging Design from Pratt Institute. Through a unified approach combining strategy, design, and art direction, Yuxi aims to transform everyday objects into moments of delight. She believes design should be made with functionality, rationality, and aesthetics.
Yuxi Liu Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Yuxi Liu.
Yuxi Liu Design - Mushroom Coffee Food Packaging
Designer Interview of Yuxi Liu:
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?
YL : My interest in art started when I was 5 years old, I loved to draw and I continued my interest. Later, I moved to New York City to complete my undergraduate and graduate degrees here. During these 6 years of study and design, I fell madly in love with design and art. And, I always believed I am a talented designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
YL : I am working at a product and packaging design company currently. At the same time, I am running a design studio. The studio's services include branding, logo design, UI/UX, Campaign design, environmental design, etc.
DI: What is "design" for you?
YL : "Design" has already become a part of my life. Observe the new world through the perspective of design.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
YL : The project I enjoy the most is the project that combines aesthetics, function, and technology.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
YL : I love learning about new technologies and trying to apply them to my artwork. I believe that the progress of technology can serve designers to present their works better. I created "Dear Home Museum, " a constantly updated interior design virtual exhibition during the pandemic. My goal is to increase people's interest and ability in interior design. Dear Home as a virtual museum platform brings endless Interior design inspirations and ideas; The museum has a unique, fun design learning program that allows people to experience the fun of design in a game. Participants can create a virtual space on the platform, exhibit their original interior design works, and share their stories in different display forms. I believe design is not out of reach, everyone can do their home design. The museum is also an educational platform to show new design inspirations and to express people's love for home. participants can get design inspiration, elevate design passion and skills, and build personal design styles on the platform.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
YL : I remember the first project I did for my studio was a VI design for an international fashion brand.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
YL : I actually have no particular preference for materials and technology. Materials that can meet the design needs are good. I think trying and learning new techniques should be endless. The different technologies are good helpers to help us realize our design ideas. I like the platform that can provide me with design inspiration. Such as Behance.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
YL : Artists are very sensitive people. I need to be free of anxiety in order to unleash my creative powers. It’s not always easy, but a good playlist and quiet environment usually help me put myself in the right mindset for new artwork!
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
YL : A good design should serve the target customer well, and balance functionality and aesthetics. Everyone has a particular opinion of what the design presented， but the design style should focus on the brief and the client's needs.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
YL : I feel free. I can be myself and this is way too important for me. I think every project lets me create a better path for future work. My inspiration many times comes from nature. Also from social problems, from my daily routine, and from the people who I work with.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
YL : Excited, satisfaction, joy, relief, pleasure.
DI: What makes a design successful?
YL : Quality, aesthetics, materials, attractiveness, and multiple-purpose functionality.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
YL : I think the functionality, creativity, and aesthetics of the design and its impact on society, etc., can ultimately help us determine whether the design is good or not. I like the idea of the “ten principles of good design”, according to design legend Dieter Rams: he said that design should be innovative, make a product useful, be aesthetic, make a product understandable, be unobtrusive, be honest, be long-lasting, be thorough down to the last detail, be environmentally friendly and involve as little design as possible.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
YL : As a designer, we have the ability to evoke people’s emotions, which is, for me, one of the most rewarding aspects of this career. Art is such a sublime form of communication and we use it as a tool to direct and deliver information positively.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
YL : I think we will see the use of high-quality sustainable materials and, beyond function and aesthetic aspects, we will see the integration of technology to value the customer experience.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
YL : I think the design inspiration comes from my life and my experiences. The different cultures I find in different cities played a huge part in my development as an artist.
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?
YL : Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Minimalism with details is the main characteristic of my style.
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?
YL : I live in New York, a city full of art and diverse cultures. My ideas and designs are always affected by the city I am living. This bustling city fills my mind with new things and cultures every day. I keep getting inspired. But sometimes I need to go to the peaceful countryside to change my mind. Peace and nature give me different inspirations.
DI: How do you work with companies?
YL : I worked for a long time as a creative designer in a packaging design company. I work with the design team, marketing team, and production team every day. I think the relationship you build with other members is very important.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
YL : I think that the portfolio speaks more than a thousand words. I also think that all aspects of the design process up to production are important and, as they entail different skills, it is important to evaluate management and interpersonal abilities.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
YL : The project usually starts with reference research before the initial sketches. The second part is sketching some ideas and then copying the graphite sketch to the papers used for the creation of the artwork. After that, it is necessary to put the pieces together, like a puzzle, in order to create the 3D effect of these illustrations. Once the art is finished, it is ready to be printed.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
YL : My working table, lamp, kitchen, coach
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
YL : After waking up, I prepare my breakfast and take the train to reach my office to do all my business tasks and whatever needs to get done. I usually try to have a day each week for relaxing and reading some design books or movies.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
YL : My biggest advice would be that Be brave, do what you love, and stick to it. Young people should not be afraid of making mistakes, and hesitation is the source of pain.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
YL : we can get to work with what we love; we get to put our creativity and imagination to some good use; Production stage is very rewarding as you can see your design coming to life. As for the negatives, Sometimes our design is influenced by a lot of commercial factors and may not be produced 100% as it should be
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
YL : I believe my golden rule is to go with instinct and don't be afraid to make mistakes. We can think of several “do’s and don’t do’s” when working as a designer, but in the end, each project is different and the only constant is our experience.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
YL : I think creativity, empathy, and 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.?
YL : Hand sketching is the very first part of the design process. I use my pencil and sketchbook to start my design. I then use Illustrator, Photoshop, Cinema 4D, and Indesign a lot to develop organized drawings.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
YL : I agree with it. Finding inspiration and doing visual experimenting with design is a long process. In addition, design is a process of repeated modification and improvement. I usually set goals for myself. When I see that I am not reaching a good result I usually do not waste time on it, but try my second idea.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
YL : It usually takes me one-two week.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
YL : Where did you get your inspiration from?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
YL : I worked for many years as a creative designer for a packaging design company.In addition, I am also a teacher with 4 years of experience. My dual career keeps me learning and progressing on the road to design
DI: Who are some of your clients?
YL : Companies in a variety of fields, including nonprofits, architecture companies, cultural companies, fashion companies, medical products companies, etc.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
YL : I love illustrative designs, the kind that allows me to tell a story using just visual elements.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
YL : I always seek innovative approaches to convey values and messages through the power of design. In the future, I hope to continue to deepen my design attainments and abilities. Exposure to different areas of design projects, including but not limited to product design, interior design, and UI/UX design. I hope I can set up my own design company in the near future.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
YL : I develop my own designs most time but work with the marketing team for production
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
YL : I am working on a new beauty brand in progress for a famous American actress and influencer.
DI: How can people contact you?
YL : Through yuxiliudesign@gmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
YL : These have been some pretty comprehensive questions! Nothing to be added!