We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Don Ian ("DI").
Don Ian has worked in the automotive industry for more than 10 years, has mastered the knowledge of automotive factory planning, and is very interested in brand and product design. At the end of 2023, he founded "Agiling", with the company's vision of creating better human-machine interaction tools, and independently completed the design and development of the company's first product-the "Cyber Yoke" steering wheel.
Don Ian Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Don Ian.
Don Ian Design - Cyber Yoke Steering Wheel
Designer Interview of Don Ian:
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?
DI : Many people have an inner self isolation, which is related to their personality and experiences during childhood. From a young age, they long for attention and recognition, hoping that one day there will be a mysterious power that can excite a big bang in their inner universe. Our design philosophy is also based on this. Whether it is products or artworks, they can bring users or audiences a unique experience, that is, self recognition, and give customers the ability to personalize and showcase their own value.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DI : Agile Interaction Art & Innovation Affection & Intelligence Assure & Intrust
DI: What is "design" for you?
DI : Personalization and diversity
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DI : A ray of light in the darkness
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DI : Reasonable, but unexpected. Like Christopher Nolan's movies and Hans Zimmer's music.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
DI : The logo of Agiling
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
DI : Inorganic non-metallic materials/AI design platform/3D printing technology
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
DI : only god knows
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DI : perception
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
DI : Tragic and inspiring
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DI : Self-recognition, Self-actualization
DI: What makes a design successful?
DI : Try and try
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DI : Humanization and safety
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
DI : Differentiate between usage scenarios and needs
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
DI : It comes from Van Gogh.
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?
DI : I haven’t formed a fixed style yet, but I believe that art can transcend time, and the design style of the old times can still be combined with modern technology.
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?
DI : China. Eastern ideology is conservative and introverted, but this does not mean that traditional art cannot evolve. Note that I am talking about the evolution of Chinese culture itself rather than its integration with modern Western art. Chinese native art has its own unique charm, and I love it, but I am not sure that passion alone can help evolve a culture.
DI: How do you work with companies?
DI : My startup is willing to cooperate with companies in various industries in various forms
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
DI : Be a responsible designer or engineer
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
DI : A sudden inspiration
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
DI : A large sofa, can replace the bed, haha
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
DI : Working on a large sofa all day long.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DI : Design cannot be separated from application scenarios and practical needs. Even if there is a great idea, it should be people-oriented.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
DI : Design can’t solve all problems, and sometimes it can’t even solve one problem.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DI : Imagination is not an algorithm
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
DI : Maybe computer skills, haha, I'm kidding.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DI : Powerpoint and AI tools
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DI : never manage
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DI : it depends
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
DI : Did you design this?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
DI : factory designing for Faraday Future
DI: Who are some of your clients?
DI : BMW, Daimler, Faraday Future
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
DI : logo design, because it's easy ;)
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DI : Productizing and commercializing designs
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DI : design myself
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
DI : Semi Yoke, a product of the same series as Cyber Yoke, is used in different models, and DLD (internal code), both are automotive products
DI: How can people contact you?
DI : Social media or email