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Interview with Ruimin He |
Home > Designer Interviews > Ruimin He |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Ruimin He (RH) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Ruimin He by clicking here.
FS: 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?
RH: I took my bachelor degree in Product Design from Raffles Design Institute, and then graduated with Master degree in Industrial Design from Swinburne University of Technology. To be a designer is one of my dreams in childhood, like architect, because I like to look every fancy object and buildings when I was young. I chose industrial design as my major because it would contains multiple skill and thinking views.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
RH: Nowadays I work in a radar technology R&D company. WiRUSH commercializes the see-through-wall capability in many scenarios, such as office, smart buildings, shopping malls, hospitals, robotics and more. It is the core principle behind all WiRUSH applications - safe, efficient and affordable to improve health, security and quality of life. Those are also my goal into design.
FS: What is "design" for you?
RH: Design is not only for appearance, pretty or ugly, but also present its characteristic. It will go through from the looking, material, finished to the interaction with user. Moreover, it is an innovative method to help people to solve problem in the life.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
RH: I don't limit myself with particular design discipline, but so far I prefer UX Design, such as web design and app design, which I try to bring the design thinking of physical product into software development. It allows me to add more creative ideas to try because it contains lots of interaction between human and design.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
RH: Recently, I like to use various colors together with minimalism design. People always think minimalism is less color and light tone. I'm trying to add more attractive colors within it to evoke people's feeling, but still present the design in a clear and sharp way.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
RH: Smart pillbox and its app. It leads my thinking towards to how to use technology well into arts.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
RH: Pencil and paper, it is always first tool for design and take to the finalization.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
RH: in a middle phrase of project. It shows a clear initial prototype in this phrase, and I can add more creative thinking to improve the finalization.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
RH: User experience is an important aspect to me. It can make the design useful and easier to user, and help me to share the meaning behind design to users in good way. And logic. It ensures the quality and stability, also is a sure way to suit most users.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
RH: feeling excited, be happy, and live a full life.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
RH: tired, but be satisfied.
FS: What makes a design successful?
RH: Besides the basic principle, easy to use and in general, I also believe good design can evoke people's feeling or memory so that it can tell users the story behind itself.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
RH: Is the design understandable? Can it evoke people's feeling?
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
RH: environmentally friendly. It is one of point if a design is long-last, and the designer would take the responsibility to make sure it give the social and environment positive impact.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
RH: Design can be better with the development of technology. Design is a positive way to interpret new technologies, also technology supports design improved and achieved. Both side is challenge for designers.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
RH: My last exhibition with my individual design was 2010 year in Seoul, which I got my first award. Also, the design project with my work team has won A'Design Award, Reddot, and iF in 2016-2017, so that they presented our design as winner there.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
RH: I always say the inspiration is everywhere and comes with logic. So that I try to observe the subtle movement, inertia, habits and change around our environment to inspire my design. This way has wider my insight and my vision.
FS: 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?
RH: Most of my design is minimalism, but not limited myself to reinterpret other arts. Also, I like my design making sense to relate to human and environment by color.
FS: 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?
RH: I live in China mostly. Yes, I am proud of my country's culture. Chinese culture has many historical stories, and its each pattern can give meaning into design. With the significant development in China, the manufacture and material benefit product design with mass production. Here also is a wide platform for designers to make their innovation with combination of art and technology.
FS: How do you work with companies?
RH: Usually we talk with the developer about new tech and application, which inspires even surprise us. When the project starts, we have done the user interviews and market analysis to find out their needs. These take a huge step in design process and goal. I have to discuss with design team in each phrase for details and limitation from technology and applied.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
RH: There are various designer type. Some focus on the good looking, some are perfectionist, and some are just cat's paw. The important things for working is how to use well their talent and appropriate position. It is also my consideration when selecting a good designer.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
RH: When I get a design briefing, I would like to consider "who would be the users" firstly. It brings distinct insights about multiple user groups, and give new thinking with potential users. Afterward, ranking user demands, seeking the reference from my design warehouse, and put my creation in subtle detail as well. Making an initial prototype for user test is the next, and then update version and update and update... But I have my bottomline of making product good looking, understandable and useful. These also are my winning tips in design finalization and design proposal.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
RH: Dishwasher, Dolce Gusto, A set of coffee cups, Sofa and Cleaner Robot. These things make a cozy home to me and refresh my mind.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
RH: I‘m Taurus and I like self-discipline, so my routine may sounds boring to you. Work in office mostly, and go back home after work-off. But I like to refresh my mind with coffee and snacks every afternoon. If I feel exhausted, go shopping and have a great meal.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
RH: Work hard for your dreams, think with your logic, enjoy in the process.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
RH: Positives is that have different insight and arrow down the main question to answer. Nagatives... is too strict.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
RH: Logic would ensure the design done in fast and clear manner. But don't stop questioning and upgrade it.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
RH: Communication. No matter communicate with yourself or others, either language or pen. It is related to how designer present his design, also how the design interacts with users.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
RH: For UI design, I usually use Photoshop, Sketch and Lanhu. For product design, there is a series of professional software, like Solidworks and Keyshot.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
RH: I do like to set up the timeline for each design project. It helps me to manage the time and team with clear schedule. Thanks to my team, we can use the time efficiently.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
RH: It depends on design needs, ranges from 2 weeks to one year.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
RH: To myself : Who do you design for? what the difference / benefit does your design bring? To other design: What is the sparkling spot?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
RH: I learnt a lot from the colleagues in my first job who has high ability. Also the first job, it brings me a lot awards with that excellent group.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
RH: I work in-house design.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
RH: App design. It allows me to discover more interactions between human and design, and also to take in charge more freely.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
RH: Win more awards for public approbation. And I want to apply for a job overseas. Recently, I want to try jewellery design.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
RH: I work with both. I take charge of my team as design leader, and also develop my individual design myself.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
RH: New design project is on the way that design an app for smart home.
FS: How can people contact you?
RH: Email please: hrm428@hotmail.com
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
RH: So far so good.
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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