We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Li Tiebin ("LT").
Being adept at interpreting design from multiple perspectives, design should not be limited to specific mediums. We have successfully developed dozens of disaster relief products, widely used in global disaster relief efforts, earning numerous design awards worldwide. Through our efforts and influence, we hope to awaken a sense of social responsibility among more designers, using the power of design to assist more people, promote social development, and improve the ecological environment.
Li Tiebin Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Li Tiebin.
Li Tiebin Design - HEU 70th Anniversary Logo and Visual Identity System
Designer Interview of Li Tiebin:
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?
LT : During my childhood, I had a strong passion for drawing and industrial objects. Influenced by my father's profession in painting, I have always dreamed of pursuing a career as a designer from a young age. Moreover, I received support and nurturing from my parents at home.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
LT : My studio, Wish Design, is located in Shanghai, China, and was founded in 2014 as stated in this document. We cover a wide range of design fields, including but not limited to disaster relief, smart devices, transportation, ships, engineering machinery, visual interaction, and UED (User Experience Design). As a specialized industrial design company, we excel in core research and development work from concept to innovative product creation. We possess innovative design R&D capabilities, scientific research abilities, and implementation skills. We can provide personalized, innovative, and sustainable design solutions based on client needs and market trends, ensuring that our designed products stand out in the market.
DI: What is "design" for you?
LT : Design is the ability to solve problems, it is also a manifestation of creativity, but it is more like a presentation of integration capabilities.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
LT : Designs that focus on the relationship between people and the environment, as well as the balance between social development and human habitat, are commendable.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
LT : I admire Dieter Rams' design works the most. His designs are centered around functionality, pursuing simplicity, directness, and practicality. He emphasizes that product design should solve problems and minimize redundancy and complexity. Considering user experience, he strives to provide a simple, intuitive, and enjoyable user experience. His products often have human-centered design, meeting users' needs and expectations.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
LT : The first product of the design is a disaster relief product. It pays more attention to social environmental issues and the timeliness of earthquake relief.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
LT : I enjoy the designer platform Behance as well.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
LT : I prefer creative time in the evening because it's quieter, allowing me more time to think and adjust.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
LT : Design is not just art; it has objectives and users, so I prioritize whether the design can be implemented and executed effectively.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
LT : Design is a process of creation, starting from nothing to something, a transformation from 0 to 1. Throughout the design process, I can truly feel the creator's mindset. Emotionally, it's akin to the anticipation and dedication of parents towards their own design works or children.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
LT : The uncertainty of the design cycle notwithstanding, once the design journey is completed and the product is implemented, you'll feel a sense of joy and fulfillment.
DI: What makes a design successful?
LT : Decades of persistent dedication. In theory, talent doesn't exist. Success in design only comes through persistent, long-term learning and accumulation.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
LT : The integrity of design and social responsibility are interconnected.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
LT : Designers should focus on social and human issues, as well as the harmony between human existence and the natural environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
LT : The future of design will continue to move from specialization towards integration, addressing the challenges of commercial design. It's far beyond mere specialization; increasingly, it requires more powerful designers to integrate multiple technologies.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
LT : Last time I participated in a design exhibition and design event was in Norway, Europe. My next hope is to participate in one in Harbin, China.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
LT : The inspiration for design often comes from the accumulation of long-term design work. For this particular design, inspiration was gathered from extensive research on the school, including existing campus environments, as well as interviews with alumni and current students at various stages.
DI: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
LT : A characteristic of traditional Chinese patterns is their emphasis on decorative layering, seen in traditional clothing and ceramics. This style boasts strong decorative and narrative qualities, enhancing the viewer's appreciation. In my design process, I utilize cultural interpretation and creativity to translate information into graphical elements for conveying messages.
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?
LT : As Chinese designers, traditional Chinese culture and crafts have a profound influence on us today. The ancient history and rich cultural heritage of our nation have enriched our understanding of cultural diversity and inclusivity. Through deepening our study of design, we can find an almost inexhaustible cultural source here. The advantage lies in its richness, but of course, the downside is the tendency towards conservatism.
DI: How do you work with companies?
LT : After thoroughly understanding the design requirements and historical culture, we will proceed to sign a commercial design service contract.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
LT : The premise for a company seeking collaboration with a designer is to clearly define its own needs and have a proactive and precise vision for the implementation of future designs. Designers are creators who solve problems rather than discovering new ones, so understanding one's own needs is essential to finding a designer with the corresponding capabilities.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
LT : The research and collection of historical and cultural information about the school yielded specific data for extracting design languages and elements. By delving into these elements, the school's visual identity was transformed into graphical representations, providing material for the subsequent development of cultural and creative products. This process established a comprehensive approach to school brand visual design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
LT : 1IKEA - "POÄNG" Armchair，2Muji - "Aroma Diffuser"，3Dyson - "V11 Absolute"，4Vitra - "Eames Lounge Chair"，5Le Creuset - "Signature Round Dutch Oven"
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
LT : A designer's day typically revolves around design work. After breakfast, they arrive at the design studio to tackle the day's design projects, including drafting design proposals and communicating with clients to address their needs and optimize design solutions. In the afternoon and evening, they collaborate with their team to coordinate design issues and work schedules. In the evening, they may take advantage of their free time by going for a walk, exercising, or biking.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
LT : For young designers, the advice is to keep learning and accepting feedback, maintain creativity and patience, as short-term work falls far short of a designer's initial understanding, requiring more time to mature. Believe in your abilities and courageously pursue your design dreams.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
LT : As a designer, the positives include the release of creativity, enabling self-expression and innovation. Over a designer's career spanning decades, the value of designers can be better understood. The negatives involve high work pressure and numerous challenges, requiring constant adaptation to client demands and time constraints.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
LT : Designers prioritize problem-solving as the essence of design thinking, making design a strategic goal. Throughout the design execution process, professionalism is required, but in actual design, user experience must be emphasized. User experience should always be the core of design, ensuring that products or designs meet users' needs and provide a pleasant user experience.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
LT : For a designer, the most important skills include creativity, communication, and technical proficiency. Creativity forms the foundation for problem-solving and innovation, communication skills aid in understanding client needs and collaborating with teams, while technical proficiency is essential for translating design concepts into tangible outputs.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
LT : During the design process, I use design software, online applications, and hardware devices. I also frequently refer to design books and resources, while gaining inspiration from art exhibitions, field visits to natural landscapes, and projects. Additionally, exploring design platforms and the works of other designers is crucial for inspiration.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
LT : During the design process, I create detailed work plans, break down projects into smaller tasks, and set realistic time goals. I utilize time management tools such as the Pomodoro Technique or task lists to ensure efficient use of each time block. Additionally, I regularly conduct self-assessment and adjustments to maintain effective time management.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
LT : The time required to design an object from beginning to end varies depending on the project, typically influenced by its complexity, scale, and requirements. Generally, the design process may take from several days to several weeks, while larger projects could span months or even years to complete. Each stage of design necessitates ample time for research, ideation, design, testing, and refinement.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
LT : As a designer, the most frequently asked questions to me are about the inspiration behind my designs and my creative process. People often inquire about specific details like how I charge for my designs and how I tackle various design challenges. Additionally, they also ask about project progress and delivery timelines.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
LT : "To complete the product design work for Boeing aircraft company, as well as to finish the design work for XCMG Group's unmanned road roller."
DI: Who are some of your clients?
LT : Boeing Company, XCMG Group, Haier Group, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin Engineering University, Beihang University.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
LT : My favorite type of design work is product design because it directly impacts people's lives and experiences. Product design involves balancing innovation, functionality, and aesthetics, allowing me to continually challenge myself and realize the value of design. Additionally, product design can address real-world issues to achieve societal value, which gives me a sense of fulfillment.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
LT : Continue to excel in the role of a designer while paying more attention to social issues and the natural environment. Future plans include further enhancing design skills and making more contributions to addressing real-world challenges.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
LT : "My design studio, with its diverse team members, is capable of completing the entire process of product design and development."
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
LT : "I am currently working on designs for underwater drones, as well as projects involving brand design and medical products."
DI: How can people contact you?
LT : My WeChat ID tiebin0451，behance，litiebin021@gmail.com https://www.behance.net/litiebin
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
LT : For design, I have always carried a sense of reverence, feeling grateful to be able to be a designer. I enjoy various fields of design, as they are interconnected, requiring perseverance and excellent insight. This spirit should focus on the essence of design, continuously improving design skills, and exploring one's inner self, which is the fundamental aspect of design. If each work has a soul, it requires a pursuit of perfection in detail. Through works, we can dialogue with designers, reflecting their control over details and techniques, as well as their understanding and attitude towards design. My design is myself. The number of designs one can complete in a lifetime is limited, so cherish every design opportunity, continuously learn, correct, and improve. With a "craftsman's heart," earnestly do design well. Be a good designer. I hope to continuously create some good products in the design industry.