We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Zona Yuechen Guan ("ZYG").
Yuechen Guan, also known as Zona. She graduated from the School of Visual Arts(SVA) with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Design, and studying for a Master of Professional Studies in Digital Photography at SVA. She would prefer to see herself as an interdisciplinary designer who makes crafts, fashion, jewelry, and graphic designs; and a photographer who can do conceptual, editorial, fine art, landscape photography, and portraiture. She developed her love for making art through years of exposure to art. She never limits herself, and she is open to cooperating with different fields' techniques and materials to make a good idea great.
Zona Yuechen Guan Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Zona Yuechen Guan.
Zona Yuechen Guan Design - Discussing Time Book
Designer Interview of Zona Yuechen Guan:
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?
ZYG : Traditional Chinese dance led me to the art world I was about two and a half years old. It was the first artistic skill I learned and last for around 13 years. When I was about 6 years old, I studied playing the Gu-zheng, which is a kind of traditional Chinese musical instrument, for about 10 years. I went to the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York for college and graduate school. I studied design and photography at SVA because I want to find ways to visualize my thoughts and ideas in my mind.
DI: What is "design" for you?
ZYG : For me, "design" is a way that makes the world a better place, and it's a path to bring ideas and thoughts to life.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ZYG : As long as I can express my concept and idea, I am open to any kinds of media.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ZYG : It depends—currently, photography.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ZYG : Depends on the project and topic.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ZYG : I would be proud of myself and get ready for the next journey.
DI: What makes a design successful?
ZYG : Whether it influences anyone or makes the viewers start thinking about the topic.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ZYG : The question is a bit disrespectful. Not gonna answer.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ZYG : Being a designer is being professional in making art that you are already used to thinking in an artistic way, and being creative is a part of your thinking process. You should know the rules, but never limit yourself to those rules. We now live in an environment with modern technologies. Everything is spreading at an unimaginable speed. Artworks influence countless people who can see them while we don’t even know. Therefore, as a designer, you need to consider the impressions and consequences of your work. Being a designer is not a permanent trait. It’s an internal growth journey. To be a designer not only means that you have incredible skills and techniques for creating art but also means you are ready to take on this social responsibility while you are using art as a way to express yourself.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ZYG : Design is becoming more inclusive. Different fields and technologies can intersect with design and develop new research directions. So interdisciplinary design will be the future direction of development.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ZYG : My last group exhibition called Le Radici dell'Arte in December 2022 in Brooklyn, New York. I am planning my next show in early 2023.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ZYG : From nature and life.
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?
ZYG : I lived in Shanghai for about 20 years, but currently, I am based in New York. Both cities are international and inclusive, which influenced me a lot, that I am open to any media to help me fulfill my concept.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ZYG : Lighting, Camera, Mac, Wacom, White Wall
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ZYG : Please never limit yourself and make yourself boring. Always be open to trying something new. Be proud and confident in your work.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ZYG : Everyone has preferences, and there will always be good and bad comments. You can't influence what other people think. You hear everything, but don't listen to everything.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ZYG : MacBook, Adobe Creative Suite, iPad, Wacom Tablet, Camera, etc.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ZYG : I would step out everything to do and make a basic structure of timeline when starting the project. I will leave a bit extra time for each step and fix up the detailed schedule during the process.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ZYG : Depending on the project.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ZYG : Can you draw a picture for me?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
ZYG : All. Every experience made me who I am.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ZYG : It really depends. Recently, I prefer photography-based work because I like the feeling of freezing time when I take photos.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ZYG : I've tried both, depending on the project.
DI: How can people contact you?
ZYG : Please go to my website zonaguan.com and email me.