We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative yang Lu ("YL").
Lu Yang, a brilliantly talented spatial designer and experimental artist born in Wuhan, has garnered significant attention for his unique multi-media creative approach and profound insights into urban development phenomena. Currently serving as a lecturer at the School of Fine Arts, Central China Normal University, and as the founder of the Good House Space Design Research Office, Lu Yang has demonstrated exceptional talent in various fields including interior design, art installations, and graphic design. Lu Yang's works have not only won the National Young Designer Gold Award but have also been recognized in multiple national-level professional art exhibitions, including the National Art Exhibition and Wuhan Biennale, among others. Through his art, he explores social public issues, combining personal experiences with societal phenomena, showcasing his keen observational skills of materials and the intrinsic properties of things. Lu Yang has not only made a significant impact in the art world but has also provided society with unique perspectives and reflections. His spirit of innovation and exploration makes him an artist worth paying attention to.
yang Lu Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by yang Lu.
yang Lu Design - Weightlessness Art Installation
Designer Interview of yang Lu:
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 : I am a designer and artist, born in Wuhan in February 1989, and currently residing in Wuhan, China. I am currently teaching in the Environmental Design Department of the School of Fine Arts at Central China Normal University. My creative work spans across spatial design, art installations, and graphic design, making me an experimental artist experienced in using various media. My creative philosophy is to approach the phenomena and issues arising from urban development from a professional perspective, utilizing various materials and new media techniques. I aim to organically integrate personal experiences and material sensibilities with complex social public issues, making my artworks not only a visual enjoyment but also a profound reflection and exploration of social phenomena.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
YL : I work at Central China Normal University in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Central China Normal University is a comprehensive normal university with a focus on humanities and social sciences. It has a long history and a profound academic foundation. On this basis, I founded my design art brands: HaoShe Space Design Studio and HaoShe Art Lab. HaoShe Space Design Studio specializes in interior design and space planning, aiming to perfectly combine aesthetics with functionality to create comfortable and personalized living and working environments for clients. HaoShe Art Lab is a platform for exploring innovative design concepts, focusing on the application of new materials and new technologies, as well as cross-disciplinary art collaborations, with the goal of promoting the diversification of design.
DI: What is "design" for you?
YL : For me, design is primarily about solving practical problems and secondly about creating emotional value. Therefore, innovation is the only way. Design is not just about aesthetics and form; more importantly, it must provide practical solutions and meet people's needs. At the same time, design should touch people's hearts and create emotional resonance and value. Only through continuous innovation can we achieve a balance in these two aspects and make design truly meaningful.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
YL : "Weightlessness" is my favorite and most important work. It is not just an art installation, but also a profound reflection on the contemporary social development of China and the mindset of many Chinese people. The inspiration for this piece comes from China's rapid economic and social changes and their impact on people's lifestyles and mental states. "Weightlessness" creates a suspended and zero-gravity visual effect, symbolizing the imbalance and sense of floating that people often feel in a rapidly changing era. "Weightlessness" not only showcases China's remarkable development achievements but also conveys the inner confusion and anxiety of many people in the context of this rapid development. Through this work, I hope to provoke viewers to reflect on themselves and society, allowing them to find inner balance and tranquility while appreciating the art.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
YL : When I am alone, I feel the most creative. Solitude allows me to fully immerse myself in my own world of thoughts, free from external distractions. In this state, I find it easier to engage in self-dialogue, delving deeper into and refining my ideas. While alone, I can work at my own pace, without the constraints of time or others' expectations. This gives me more freedom to experiment and adjust my creativity, gradually perfecting it. This deep process of self-dialogue and reflection enables me to uncover more unique and innovative perspectives and solutions. Solitude also gives me the opportunity to observe and perceive the surrounding environment and details, thus inspiring more ideas. Whether it's the subtle changes in nature or the little moments in daily life, they all become sources of my creativity.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
YL : During the design process, I focus most on two key aspects: spatial layout and spatial experience. I believe that a successful design should not only be aesthetically pleasing but also practical, capable of meeting the needs of users and creating a delightful experience.
DI: What makes a design successful?
YL : The success of a design lies in its ability to establish a profound emotional connection with the user. This connection transcends functionality and aesthetics, touching the very core of people's hearts.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
YL : When judging a design as good or bad, I first consider whether it effectively reflects the core values and uniqueness of the project. An excellent design should accurately convey the project's goals and values while possessing distinctive visual language and stylistic features. Secondly, I focus on the functionality and usability of the design, ensuring that it is not only aesthetically pleasing but also meets the needs of users and specific usage scenarios. Finally, I also evaluate the design's innovation and sustainability, assessing whether it employs novel thinking and environmentally friendly materials to promote long-term value and impact in design.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
YL : From my perspective, firstly, we should strive for spatial equity, ensuring that our designs are inclusive and serve all societal groups, regardless of their backgrounds and needs. This entails considerations such as accessible design, the accessibility of public spaces, and sustainability, to ensure that everyone can equally enjoy and benefit from the outcomes of our designs. Secondly, environmental friendliness is an indispensable responsibility. Designers should work towards minimizing negative environmental impacts through strategies such as choosing renewable materials, energy-efficient design, and waste reduction, to promote sustainable development. Our designs should balance aesthetics and functionality while also considering their long-term environmental impact and striving to minimize carbon footprint as much as possible.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
YL : My design inspiration comes from the small details in my daily life. Whether it's natural landscapes, urban architecture, or interactions between people, all these can spark my creativity. I often observe my surroundings, capture details, and draw inspiration from them.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
YL : In my design process, I spend a significant amount of time thinking, even more than the time I spend on the actual design work. For me, design is not just a creative process, but also a process of deep thinking and self-dialogue. I start by carefully analyzing the requirements and goals of the design project, understanding the background and audience of the project. This step is crucial as it helps me clarify the direction and purpose of the design. Then, I conduct extensive research and gather inspiration. This includes observing details in everyday life, browsing design books and art works, and visiting exhibitions. These activities not only provide me with a wealth of material but also help me expand my thinking and find new creative points. Throughout this process, I continuously engage in self-dialogue, repeatedly refining and adjusting my design ideas to ensure that each design element perfectly expresses my concepts. Only when I am satisfied with the overall idea do I begin the actual design work. During the actual design phase, I translate the thoughts and research findings into specific design plans. I continually make adjustments and optimizations until the final result meets my expectations. Overall, my design process is an evolving journey from thought to practice, from abstract to concrete, focusing on the harmony and unity of every detail and the overall composition.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
YL : Think more.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
YL : Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
YL : Communication.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
YL : I particularly enjoy creative design work. This type of work is often more challenging because it requires constant exploration of new ideas and solutions. The creative process itself is very rewarding as it allows me to push the boundaries of my imagination and skills. When my designs finally come to life and are used by people, I feel a tremendous sense of achievement and fulfillment. This kind of design work is not just a professional challenge but also a continuous process of learning and exploration, allowing me to constantly enhance my abilities and creativity.
DI: How can people contact you?
YL : You can contact me via email at lydesign@ccnu.edu.cn or raullu7@gmail.com.