We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Fei Hu ("FH").
FeiHu is a design expert with more than 20 years of experience in the interior design field. Hu Fei has led and completed a number of iconic interior design projects and real estate projects across the country, and he has accumulated extensive experience in providing design solutions for luxury residential, hotel commercial and public cultural projects in collaboration with a number of well-known brand companies. He has won many gold, silver and bronze awards in design competitions. His work has been published in many professional interior design magazines and books.
Fei Hu Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Fei Hu.
Fei Hu Design - Zhengzhou Longhu Conference Center
Fei Hu Design - Longhu Hotel Design
Designer Interview of Fei Hu:
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?
FH : My father began to nurture and encourage me to learn painting when I was about 4 years old. Painting has since become my interest and hobby. In high school, I found that I was more interested in architectural art and interior design, so I embarked on this path. I majored in architecture and interior design at university.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
FH : I founded fmp associates, an interior design firm in Shanghai, in 2004, mainly for commercial and real estate projects. To provide customers with professional and high standard of hotel, office building, commercial, clubs and other public space types of interior design services. The company offers one-stop solutions for all interior design needs, from concepts, schemes, designs, 3D modeling rendering drawings to construction drawings, material samples and on-site guidance.
DI: What is "design" for you?
FH : Design is my hobby and my life. I hope to use my professional skills to help people improve the environment, discover beautiful things, create more value, and even change their lives.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
FH : I love all styles of design, but I like the ones that incorporate history and memory into a modern environment the most. Subtle, elegant, with stories and memories.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
FH : The National Museum of Roman Art in Merida, Spain.It was designed by Rafael Moneo. This building has a divine, spectacular, serene power.It is a classic case of the perfect balance between modernity and history.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
FH : A residential showroom for a real estate company
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
FH : Brick, stone, wood, glass
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
FH : Working alone at night
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
FH : Simple, pure, less is more, using simple materials and shapes to create an unforgettable atmosphere. With historical memory and cultural inheritance, function rationality is the basis of design, and form cannot be separated from function.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
FH : Design solutions need to have positive, creative, moving emotions.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
FH : Enjoy the feeling of an artist's work displayed in an art gallery.
DI: What makes a design successful?
FH : Focus, deep understanding, reasonable functionality, creative solutions.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
FH : Elegant form and reasonable function.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
FH : Advocating the use of sustainable, green and environmentally friendly materials and technologies is an essential responsibility of every designer.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
FH : AI technology will bring great changes in the field of design.The efficiency of design will be greatly increased, the productivity will be several times higher, and many designers will be eliminated if they do not update their skills. But I think human creativity based on emotion and memory is something that AI can't replace.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
FH : Extensive reading, travel, experience.
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?
FH : Simple, pure, less is more, using simple materials and shapes to create an unforgettable atmosphere. With historical memory and cultural inheritance, function rationality is the basis of design, and form cannot be separated from function.
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?
FH : I live and work in China.my country and cultural heritage have a very important influence on my design, it appears in almost every design project.The advantages of this country are the large number of projects, the high efficiency, and the complete supply chain. The disadvantage is that the inheritance of history and culture is not enough, and the craftsmanship in some areas is relatively rough.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
FH : First of all, the site conditions and design requirements of the project are studied, and relevant cases and materials are consulted according to these conditions, and all relevant historical data and information are searched as much as possible, from which the appropriate elements and possibilities are repeatedly screened. Make lots of sketches and graphic schemes. After forming 2-3 conceptual plans, communicate with the client, and then determine a main direction, submit to the 3D draftsman to build a sketch model. Iterate on the 3D rendering until the solution is approved. Then draw construction drawings and prepare material samples.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
FH : Start by spending a lot of time reading, researching, and focusing on improving your aesthetic and creativity. Secondly, travel is necessary to understand, learn and experience different countries, cultures, arts and life.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
FH : The advantages of designers are careful, sensitive and creative. The disadvantages are stubbornness and lack of broad vision.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
FH : Do a lot of research on the design background to find the source of inspiration and design. Then find the most suitable methods and materials to express.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
FH : Imagination and aesthetics.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
FH : For important projects, overtime is inevitable.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
FH : As few as a few days, as many as a few months or even six months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
FH : Is this the best solution?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
FH : I hope the most important work experience will be on my next project.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
FH : Real estate company, well-known commercial brand.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
FH : The hotel and museum, challenging in design, have a great sense of accomplishment after completion.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
FH : I hope to cooperate with foreign design companies and project companies to do some more interesting designs.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
FH : We have both.
DI: How can people contact you?
FH : windinnovation.sh@gmail.com