We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jui-Ping Lee ("JL").
A trilingual artist from Taiwan, mostly known as "Atha". The artist's works have been renowned for the clean, elegant coloring and splendid details. The artist has been recognised by the largest illustration site Pixiv in its first illustration year book "VISIONS (2021)", as well as other yearbook and exhibitions such as "Artists in Taiwan (2021 & 2022)", "ILLUSTRATIONS 2021", “Creator’s Show Up Gallery in PARCO (2021 & 2022)”, “Tokyo Art Museum – International Modern Art Exhibition 45th & 46th” etc.
Jui-Ping Lee Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jui-Ping Lee.
Jui-Ping Lee Design - New Year Illustration
Designer Interview of Jui-Ping Lee:
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?
JL : Actually I studied Economics for my Bachelor and Master, and never attended any art school or studio...I learn solely by myself and some free online tutorials! The moment when I start and become a designer is when I'm in my high school, summer holiday just before 3rd grade - I enjoyed other people's work so much that I can't get enough of them. Then suddenly a thought occurred to me - why can't I draw myself? And at that time my father gave me my first tablet computer as my birthday gift with a stylus - his intention was that I could use it to take notes to prepare the university-entry exam, but I used it to start painting instead and even rejected to attend the summer school (where schools help student study for the exams). Spoiler - I still got a high grade and admission from the best univerisity in my country, even though it's Economics and not art related decipline!
DI: What is "design" for you?
JL : A combination of elements, that's design.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JL : Painting, and within painting, cloths.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JL : Kimono and white dresses...Kimonobecause it's simply beautiful and splendid, white dresses because they are elegant and angel-like.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JL : Computer. It's unbelievably useful.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JL : Near night...from about dusk to around midnight.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JL : Color. The combination of color that can catch the eyes of the beholders and convey a scene that stirs their imaginations
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JL : Tranquility. Excitement some times but relatively rare.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JL : relieved... because "thank God, I don't need to deal with this piece of waste anymore" lol. usually only after 1 or 2 months that I start and appreciate the work I've done.
DI: What makes a design successful?
JL : If people find beauty in there, it's successful.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JL : Beautiful or not. That's the nature that people seek beauty.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JL : Make beautiful products, and not make junks and force people to praise them simply because the creator says that it's a piece of "art".
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JL : As the core value is to seek beautifulness, the design field is never evolving, but resolving. The self-proclaimed "designers" changes from era to era but the core is the same.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JL : Somewhere around 2023, in Japan...not sure when will be the next exhibition though, because I can't disclose those I signed NDA under.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JL : Other people's works. I muse about if I tweak some elements in there, combine some other items in there, add my own thoughts in there...you name it.
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?
JL : I don't know my design style and how to describe it. I'm simply seeking the most elegant and fascinating way to combine elements I know, and whether it becomes a typical "style" or not belongs to the beholders, and a thousand beholders have a thousand interpretations.
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?
JL : I live in Taipei. I'll say it matters not much as traveling is easy and the internet brings the whole world in front of you in seconds...the key, therefore, is the cost of living that it's easy enough to live and a good social security system.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JL : Just don't mess with them, thinking that you need to "participate" in the design by giving suggestions/orders simply because you want to feel you are participated. If you're so good at design, do it yourself!
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JL : So quite straightforward - collect references, make drafts, color it, make some final touches and that's it!
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JL : My computer, my tablet, my Magnepan speakers and my Stax earspeakers, plus a gaming console.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
JL : I'll say wake up, have breakfast, watch some news, browse the internet and check new works from artists I follow, start to work, until night, take a shower and go to bed. Nothing fancy.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JL : Just try and persue things you think are beautiful. Don't design for design's sake.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JL : Not much...every life has its own positives and negatives unique to its owner.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JL : Works need to be beautiful.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JL : Persistence and perserverance.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JL : Wacom Cintiq/Cintiq Pro, Easy Paint Tool SAI 2.0
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JL : Eat meals when it's meal time, go to bed when it's bed time, nothing complex!
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JL : about 10 hours recently.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JL : "How do you make such a good work?"
DI: What was your most important job experience?
JL : Make profits...it immensely helps you keep motivated especially when you are not wealthy enough to live a life without selling anything (whether your work, your time or your expertise).
DI: Who are some of your clients?
JL : Individuals
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JL : Beautiful paintings...because, let's face it, who doesn't like beautiful paintings?
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JL : Make more and better works!
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JL : On my own.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JL : Nothing yet...or there are items I signed NDA for so I can't talk about them too lol
DI: How can people contact you?
JL : you can reach out to requiem3lee@gmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
JL : No. Thanks for the interview!