We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative WHYIXD ("WHYIXD").
WHYIXD, a rare cross-disciplinary art installation design team in Taiwan, was founded by Yen Po Yeh, Zih Jing Wei, and Jie Lin Zhuang in 2011. At the beginning of its establishment, WHYIXD started from “artistic creation” and completed many “interdisciplinary” physical installation works. Later, WHYIXD gradually transformed “interdisciplinary creation” into commercial applications, and practiced various possibilities through technology, new media, and cooperation among various industries. The team continues to maintain a balance between “artistic creation” and “commercial application” with the creative method of “physical installation” and the translation and reproduction of Taiwan culture as the core. So far, WHYIXD’s works have spanned different spaces and borders, from outdoor public art to stage application, from entertainment industry to construction industry and exhibition field. These installation works are created through digital landscaping one by one, depicting the inner poetry with technology and art, and delivering more exquisite feelings that can not be described by words and images in this digital era.
WHYIXD Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by WHYIXD.
WHYIXD Design - Tender Soul of Ocean Lighting Installation
Designer Interview of WHYIXD:
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?
WHYIXD : WHYIXD, a rare cross-disciplinary art installation design team in Taiwan, was founded by Yen Po Yeh, Zih Jing Wei and Chieh Lin Chuang in 2011. The team has grown from the initial three members to a cross-disciplinary team of 13 people with diverse backgrounds in art, architecture, visual design, information engineering, electromechanical, and others.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
WHYIXD : With the core concept of "Future-Nature Synergy," WHYIXD delves into the relationship between the environment and humans through meticulous observations of their surroundings. By experimenting with different materials and technologies, they transcend the limitations of flat visuals, creating new bodily experiences through their installations. Their art depicts inner poetry, conveying subtle emotions that words and images cannot capture in this digital era. Through their works, WHYIXD poses questions that awaken connections to the world around us, inspiring deeper reflection and resonance.
DI: What is "design" for you?
WHYIXD : For us at WHYIXD, "design" is the seamless fusion of technology and art to create immersive, sensory experiences that transcend traditional visual boundaries. Design is not merely about aesthetics; it is about forging meaningful connections between people and their environments. Our interdisciplinary team, rooted in diverse fields such as art, architecture, design, engineering, and mechanics, approaches design as a holistic process that involves meticulous observation, innovative experimentation, and the integration of cutting-edge materials and techniques.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
WHYIXD : We enjoy designing physical installations that can inspire and spark people's imaginations.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
WHYIXD : When designing, we particularly focus on whether the work can effectively convey the intended emotions. We strive to ensure that the piece captures the audience's attention and prompts them to pause and contemplate. Every detail in the design could potentially influence the overall impression of the piece, so we often conduct repeated experiments to find the best solutions.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
WHYIXD : When designing, we're often crafting a narrative. We consistently consider the space in which the piece will reside, much like composing a song. The space acts as the fundamental rhythm, while the piece serves as the embellishments, akin to notes in music. It's a continuous process of experimentation until we hum out the melody of the piece.
DI: What makes a design successful?
WHYIXD : I believe close collaboration within the team, with each member contributing their expertise and understanding one another, is what leads to successful design.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
WHYIXD : For me, the quality of a piece lies in its ability to spark constructive discussions. Even if it doesn't solve problems directly, if it can inspire people to engage in dialogue and raise questions that resonate, I believe that's the most important thing.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
WHYIXD : As intermediaries, designers wield profound influence over society and the environment. We must assume responsibility for design choices with our professional knowledge, ensuring that our work accurately conveys the correct message to users.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
WHYIXD : With the rapid development of AI, I believe the design field will undergo many changes. Designers may no longer be constrained by tools and can produce work more freely. As a result, the future of design will place greater emphasis on the perspectives and ideas of designers.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
WHYIXD : Our most recent exhibition was at Kühlhaus in Germany, as part of the BBA Prize exhibition. This was our first time showcasing our small-scale art installations in Europe. We anticipate having one or two more physical installation exhibitions in Europe later this year. We are actively planning these events, so please stay tuned for updates.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
WHYIXD : We have clients from various fields, including government agencies (public spaces), singers (concerts), corporate brands (lobby images), and architectural firms (residential spaces).
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
WHYIXD : Our future goal is to host our own exhibition, curating the works from the past decade into an immersive experience. Concurrently, we are engaged in numerous collaborative projects across different fields and countries. We look forward to showcasing our works to a wider audience in the future.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
WHYIXD : WHYIXD has always been a team effort, with each member bringing different professional skills, excellent cross-disciplinary communication abilities, and a shared creative goal.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
WHYIXD : We are currently developing a range of sophisticated small-scale installations designed to seamlessly integrate into home environments. These include past award-winning pieces like "Heaven Bloom," which received the A'Design Gold Award, as well as our recent "Alive" series showcased in Germany. These installations exemplify our approach of translating organic elements of nature into captivating design pieces.
DI: How can people contact you?
WHYIXD : visit our website at www.whyixd.com or email us at info@whyixd.com