We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Yuanhua He ("YH").
Guangzhou Holike Creative Home Co., Ltd. specializes in whole-house customization. It adheres to the brand positioning of “Master of Customized Home Furnishing”, takes “Pursuing Original and Trendy Lifestyle together with Holike” as the brand proposition, advocates the original lifestyle philosophy of “Seeking for a Healthy, Comfortable, Simple and Natural Life”, takes “Master Design & Master Quality & Master Service” as the brand core and driving force, and practices the development strategy of “New Original plus Great Home Furnishing” with a comprehensive layout of a range of multi-category whole-house sets, including whole-house customization, cabinets, wooden doors, parapets, home accessories, and electrical appliances, etc., to provide consumers with whole-house customization solutions, aiming to create a healthy, trendy, and comfortable modern home lifestyle.
Yuanhua He Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Yuanhua He.
Yuanhua He Design - HD Mengyin Black Golden Kitchen Cabinet
Yuanhua He Design - HD Tiger Luxury Cabinet
Yuanhua He Design - HD Mengyin Black Golden Series Interior Design
Yuanhua He Design - HD Mengyin Qing Yun Series II Cabinet
Yuanhua He Design - H20 Series Eco-friendly Modern Home Space
Designer Interview of Yuanhua He:
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?
YH : My name is Yuanhua He , from Guangzhou, China, is a senior cabinet development designer, graduated from Guangzhou academy of fine arts in 2009, I choose to work in this field because I started from junior high school learning painting is very interested in household design, early began to subscribe to household design magazine, then the kitchen is the whole house space set aesthetics and function and people capricious depth consideration space, challenge at the same time can learn more comprehensive professional knowledge.
DI: What is "design" for you?
YH : For me, "design" is a way of communication, a process of turning my thoughts and feelings into visual language. It's not only about creating beautiful objects, but also about solving problems, meeting user needs and improving the quality of people's lives. Design allows me to combine my personal creativity with technology to create works of both practical and aesthetic value. Through design, I was able to share my perspectives with others, influence and improve their living space and everyday experiences.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
YH : Because I am engaged in cabinet design, so I like to design kitchen supplies and furniture. These designs need not only to consider practicality, but also to incorporate aesthetic elements to create a comfortable and beautiful living space. I enjoy solving a variety of functional problems in the design process, while giving the product a unique style and personality. Each piece of work is an exploration and dialogue of the users 'lifestyle. I hope that my design can improve people's home experience and make their daily life more convenient and pleasant.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
YH : My favorite design is my own cabinet products for the company's advanced custom brand HD HomeDefinition. HD Meng Yin black golden cabinet series is my favorite. This series is my "bamboo" as the inspiration, integrating Chinese traditional culture and modern design context. This series adopts imitation bamboo printing printing dark grain door plate, the island with the same color bamboo section modeling decorative frame and embedded handle door type, and the brand logo echo, not only reflects the traditional culture hidden in the modern home design, but also creates the product brand memory point. The materials mainly use food grade stainless steel materials, silver thread PET and cross texture paint, with innovative PET oblique edge pressing door type, modern metal drawing and other processes. Through the same color design of the island, folding side door and side door design and wine cabinet, electrical cabinet hidden design, explaining the design concept of modern material and technology to create contemporary Oriental home. Both the solid wood divider and the DIY wine frame combination modules are highly flexible and innovative, which can improve the utilization rate of space through the free combination of the modules. Lightweight metal frame is equipped with western kitchen appliances, breaking the traditional cabinet restrictions, and making electrical suspension picture sense.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
YH : As the cabinet design director, the first thing I designed for the company was an innovative cabinet product series, which was the first cabinet series of Holike. That was an exciting moment, and I was deeply aware that this was not only an opportunity to showcase my personal abilities but also a key moment for establishing the company's brand image and expanding into the market. After receiving this task, I first conducted in-depth market research to understand the current trends and consumer demands in the cabinet market. I found that as people's living standards improve, there is an increasing demand for the quality of home environments, especially more stringent requirements for the functionality and aesthetics of cabinets. Based on these research findings, I began to design this series of cabinet products. I paid attention to every detail, from the selection of materials to the color coordination, striving to achieve perfection. I used environmentally friendly and durable materials to ensure the quality and durability of the cabinets; at the same time, I also focused on the functionality and aesthetics of the cabinets, designing them cleverly so that they not only have storage functions but also become a highlight in the home environment. During the design process, I encountered many difficulties and challenges. However, I always believed that as long as I put my heart into it, I would certainly be able to create a satisfying work. After countless revisions and optimizations, I finally designed a cabinet series that is not only highly functional and aesthetically pleasing.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
YH : During the process of designing cabinets, my favorite material is environmentally friendly and recyclable materials. These materials not only align with the modern pursuit of environmental concepts but also demonstrate excellent durability and aesthetic appeal in practical applications. By cleverly utilizing these eco-friendly materials, I am able to create cabinets that are both practical and environmentally friendly for my clients, allowing them to enjoy a high-quality home life while also contributing to the sustainable development of the Earth. In terms of platforms, I also prefer to use modern design software platforms such as AutoCAD and 3D Studio Max. These tools are not only powerful but also help me simulate design effects more accurately, anticipate potential issues in advance, and make corresponding adjustments. With these platforms, I can communicate more efficiently with clients to ensure that the final design fully meets their expectations. As for the technical aspect, I particularly advocate modular design technology. This technology allows for the standardized production of cabinet components while maintaining a high degree of customization flexibility. Modular design not only improves production efficiency but also facilitates future maintenance and upgrades. With this technology, I am able to provide clients with personalized cabinet solutions that are both beautiful and practical, meeting their diverse home needs.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
YH : When do you feel most creative? For me, the most creative moments often occur during intimate contact with nature. When I take a walk in the morning sunlight or gaze at the starry sky on a quiet night, inspiration comes quietly. The harmony and beauty of nature always stimulate my inner creativity, inspiring me to conceive environmentally friendly and practical cabinet designs. In addition, in-depth communication with clients is also a source of my inspiration. Understanding their lifestyle, aesthetic preferences, and needs for living space allows me to design cabinets that not only match their personalities but are also full of creativity. This user-centered design philosophy allows me to continuously break through tradition in the design process and create practical and aesthetically pleasing home solutions. Of course, the continuous advancement of technology also provides endless possibilities for my creativity. With the popularization of 3D printing technology, I can quickly turn design concepts into physical models, which greatly shortens the design cycle and allows me to present the design effects to clients more intuitively, thus obtaining their immediate feedback. This rapid iterative design process allows me to maintain creativity while ensuring the practicality and forward-looking nature of the design.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
YH : I think the design should consider both aesthetics and function and human willfulness. For example, I design cabinet series for Holike in 2023 is to combine a new lifestyle, redefine the underlying logic of cabinet development and design, create super + kitchen system, and reshape the new ecosystem of kitchen space from the three dimensions of humanization, storage power and tide space. 1. Research and develop super Rui kitchen system- -kitchen humanized solution. Starting from the real house type, through humanized design, to create an efficient and convenient kitchen, through the three key points of "the pain point solution of the house type, ergonomic design, space utilization improvement" to solve the kitchen problems, improve the kitchen use sense and operation efficiency of the design guide 2. Research and develop supercollection system and professional storage solutions. According to different functional fine zoning, do not live up to every square meter of the kitchen, the exploration of kitchen storage, with systematic solution professional thinking, tailored for consumers a new clean and orderly kitchen ecosystem 3. Develop and design new LDK social cabinet series, develop and design cabinet modules suitable for kitchen, dining room and living room linkage, and create 1 + n cabinet space, 1 is the traditional overall cabinet space module, and N is other space function modules. Through various combinations, create a new kitchen suitable for different scenes.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
YH : During the design process, I often feel a profound sense of satisfaction and joy. Whenever I transform an abstract idea into a tangible cabinet design, the sense of achievement is indescribable. I love observing people's lifestyles and try to improve their daily lives through my designs. This emotion drives me to strive for perfection in every detail, from the selection of materials to the coordination of colors, each aspect is carefully considered and adjusted. Moreover, design is also a way for me to express myself. I try to incorporate my aesthetic views, concern for the environment, and aspirations for the future into every cabinet design. I hope my work is not just furniture, but art pieces that resonate emotionally with the inhabitants. Therefore, I often incorporate unique elements into my designs, such as the use of sustainable materials or hidden storage spaces, all aimed at providing users with aesthetically pleasing and practical solutions. In interacting with clients, I also feel a special connection. When they express recognition and appreciation for my designs, I feel incredibly gratified. This emotional exchange convinces me even more that design is not just a science, but also an art. It can touch hearts and create spiritual enjoyment that transcends material value.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
YH : When my design was realized, I felt very satisfied and proud. The sense of accomplishment beyond seeing your creativity and efforts translate into practical products, used and appreciated by people. Every design from the conception to the finished product, has experienced countless times of thinking, modification and testing, each step has condensed my painstaking efforts. When the design was finally recognized by the market and received positive user feedback, I knew that all this was worth it. At the same time, it also inspires me to continue to explore and innovate, constantly challenge myself, and pursue a higher design level.
DI: What makes a design successful?
YH : The success of design is not only in its appearance and functionality but also in its ability to resonate emotionally with users. If a design can touch hearts, it transcends mere functionality and becomes a vessel for emotion. This emotional resonance comes from the designer's attention to detail, the careful selection of materials and colors, and a deep understanding of user needs. Throughout the design process, I always strive to capture elements that can elicit an emotional response from people. For instance, using warm hues and soft materials can create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. Clever spatial layout and innovative storage solutions can enhance the user experience, making them feel the convenience and thoughtfulness of the design. Moreover, the success of design is reflected in its alignment with the spirit of the times. In today's society, sustainability and environmental awareness are increasingly valued. Therefore, incorporating sustainable materials and eco-friendly concepts into design not only reduces environmental impact but also conveys a positive sense of social responsibility. Such design meets not only the functional needs of users but also their spiritual aspirations. Ultimately, the success of design lies in its ability to become a part of users' lives and to play a positive role in their daily routines. If a design can become a repository of users' emotions and an indispensable part of their lives, then that design is successful. It not only improves the quality of life but also enriches their spiritual world.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
YH : Firstly, functionality is one of the key factors in evaluating the quality of design. Whether a design can meet the actual needs of users, whether it demonstrates efficiency and convenience during use, these are all important criteria for measuring its quality. For example, the design of a chair should not only consider aesthetics but also ensure comfort and the application of ergonomic principles, allowing users to maintain good posture even after prolonged use. Secondly, innovation is also an important dimension in evaluating design. Whether the design can bring a new perspective, whether it can break through the limitations of traditional thinking and create an unprecedented user experience, these are all standards for measuring design innovation. For example, the design of a smart home system requires the constant introduction of new technologies to provide more intelligent and personalized services. Lastly, emotional connection is also a significant indicator of the success of a design. Whether the design can touch the emotions of users, whether it can leave a deep impression in the hearts of users, these are key to whether the design can establish an emotional connection with users. For example, the design of a children's toy should not only consider safety but also stimulate children's curiosity and imagination through color, shape, and interactivity.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
YH : Designers' social and environmental responsibilities are multifaceted. First, designers need to consider the sustainability of the products and choose environmentally friendly materials and production methods to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Secondly, designers should strive to create designs that meet the needs of society, improve people's quality of life through design, and promote the inclusiveness and fairness of society. In addition, designers should also pay attention to the educational significance of design, convey the correct values and aesthetics through design, and guide the public to form a healthy lifestyle and consumption habits. In the design process, designers should constantly reflect on and evaluate the possible long-term impact of design decisions on the society and the environment, and ensure that the design results can bring about positive changes to the society.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
YH : I think there are four trends in the future The first is the trend of intelligent and intelligent home. With the development of science and technology, intelligent and intelligent home has become the main trend in the future. In the field of cabinet design, intelligent equipment and intelligent functions will gradually integrate into cabinet products to improve user experience and convenience. The second is the growth of customization and personalized demand, consumers' personalized demand for cabinet products is growing, customization will become the mainstream trend of cabinet design. Designers need to pay more attention to user needs and provide personalized and customized services. The third is green environmental protection and sustainable development, green environmental protection and sustainable development has become a global development trend, cabinet design will also pay attention to the selection of environmental protection materials, energy saving and reduce consumables waste and other aspects. The fourth is the integration of design and science and technology, the future cabinet design will be more combined with the integration of design and technology, such as virtual reality technology, augmented reality technology, artificial intelligence, etc., to provide users with more intelligent, convenient, personalized cabinet products.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
YH : I often participate in important industry activities, industry exhibitions and design exhibitions. In 2023, I participated in the global tour exhibition of Italy A Award, and my Yin black and gold cabinet series was exhibited in 8 different countries and regions. Every year, design works will participate in the China Construction Expo, Guangzhou Customized Home Exhibition, Shenzhen Design Week these activities, the next exhibition hope 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?
YH : From the perspective of cabinet R&D and design, my design inspiration mainly stems from a deep understanding of user needs and a keen insight into market trends. In my daily work, I communicate face-to-face with users to understand the problems and inconveniences they encounter while using cabinets. These feedbacks become the source of my design innovation. At the same time, I also closely monitor the latest developments in the home market, including new materials, new processes, and changes in design styles, all of which can provide me with new design ideas. To stimulate creativity, I adopt various methods. On one hand, I regularly conduct market research, visit home exhibitions, and understand the latest design trends and technological applications in the industry, drawing inspiration from them. On the other hand, I collaborate with my colleagues through teamwork, engaging in intellectual collisions to discuss design challenges together. Such exchanges often spark new ideas. In addition, I continuously learn and improve my professional skills, broadening my knowledge and perspective by reading design books and attending training courses. My sources of inspiration are diverse. Sometimes, an incidental detail, such as the shape of a leaf or the texture of a stone, can become the source of my design inspiration. At the same time, I also draw nourishment from traditional culture, combining traditional elements with modern design to create products with unique charm. Most importantly, I always maintain passion and curiosity for design, continuously exploring and trying new design methods and concepts to create even better products.