We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ao Zhou ("AZ").
Meso Design is a creative agency focused on creating a more sustainable and inclusive future through emerging technologies. It’s founded by Connie Zhou and Reiten Cheng to answer the difficult question and push social changes with industrial, digital and graphical design. Track record on winning IDEA , Spark, The James Dyson Award, Core 77, UX Awards and etc. Open for consultations, let us start the trend. Chief designer: Ao Zhou, currently an automotive interior designer in Munich, With working experience with Nio, Tesla, BYD, and Toyota Lexus, Ao has a strong desire to pursuit the essentiality and purity of forms, with particular attention to functionality and the relationship between the object and the user. Visual designer: Jackson Zhang, a 3D artist specializing in automotive and interior design. His career has been enriched with valuable experiences at GAC, Aptera, Volkswagen, and Nissan.
Ao Zhou Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ao Zhou.
Ao Zhou Design - Oh Chair Readers' Lounge
Designer Interview of Ao Zhou:
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?
AZ : Originally from China, Ao Zhou focuses on simplicity and functionality, prioritizing the connection between objects and users. The journey in transportation design began after high school, with studies at CCS in Detroit and later transferring to ACCD for further education. With experience at Tesla, BYD, and Calty, valuable insights into automotive design's role in global sustainability were gained. Now, the career continues at NIO's New Strategic Business in Munich.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AZ : Nio Inc. is a Chinese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Shanghai, specializing in designing and developing electric vehicles. The company is notable for developing and operating battery-swapping stations for its vehicles, as an alternative to conventional charging stations. It operates over 1,300 battery swap stations in China. It also develops semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicle technologies. Nio has participated in Formula E racing since 2014. In 2024, Nio established a new electric car brand called Onvo, targeting the mainstream market.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AZ : the perfect balance between functionality and timeless beauty.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AZ : my designs were often simple, but at the same time had a unique and playful character. He experimented with different materials and techniques to create unique and functional products