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Interview with Zehui Ni |
Home > Designer Interviews > Zehui Ni |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Zehui Ni (ZN) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Zehui Ni 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?
ZN: My background spans sculpture, UX design, and the arts. The desire to blend aesthetics with functionality inspired my journey into design, driven by the belief that beauty and purpose can coexist.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ZN: Founded in 2020 in Los Angeles, ZN Design creates sophisticated, elegant products that promote wellness. We specialize in digital and home products, merging design with scientific benefits to enhance everyday life.
FS: What is "design" for you?
ZN: Design is the harmonious blend of form and function, creating solutions that are both visually pleasing and practical, enriching everyday life.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ZN: I enjoy designing products that significantly impact people’s lives, particularly those that promote wellness and enrich daily experiences.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ZN: The Etern Decanter is a personal favorite. Inspired by the fleeting nature of time, it celebrates life's precious moments with its elegant and timeless design.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ZN: My first significant design was a digital wellness app aimed at promoting mindfulness and mental health, solidifying my passion for wellness-oriented products.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ZN: I have a deep appreciation for glass, spatial design and UIUX. Its transparency and elegance, as seen in the Etern Decanter, make it ideal for creating timeless pieces.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
ZN: Early mornings, when the world is quiet, is when my creativity peaks, allowing ideas to flow freely.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ZN: I focus equally on aesthetics and functionality, ensuring the final product is both beautiful and effective.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
ZN: Designing brings immense joy and fulfillment, especially as ideas take shape and come to life.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ZN: Seeing my designs realized brings pride and excitement, knowing they will enhance others' lives.
FS: What makes a design successful?
ZN: A successful design seamlessly blends beauty and functionality, meeting users' needs while providing an engaging experience.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
ZN: I prioritize usability and practicality, ensuring the design serves its purpose effectively.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ZN: Designers should create sustainable, environmentally friendly products that enhance quality of life, promote wellness and hold integrity toward users of the design.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ZN: Design is moving towards sustainability, wellness, and technological integration, focusing on creating smarter, healthier living solutions.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ZN: The Etern Decanter was showcased, following its Iron A' Design Award win. This year, Hmong Silver in a Silver A'Design Award. The next exhibition will feature new wellness-oriented products within the year.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ZN: Inspiration comes from nature, the passage of time, and everyday problems people encounter. I stay creative through diverse art forms and continuous learning.
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?
ZN: My style is understated elegance focused on wellness. It combines simplicity with beauty and functionality to promote overall wellbeing.
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?
ZN: I live in Los Angeles, a city rich in cultural heritage that inspires my designs. The vibrant community here is a constant source of creativity.
FS: How do you work with companies?
ZN: Collaboration is key. I engage closely with clients to align my designs with their brand values and goals, infusing my unique perspective.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ZN: Seek designers who share your vision and values, and foster open communication and collaboration for successful partnerships.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ZN: It starts with research and ideation, followed by sketching and prototyping. Refinement through feedback leads to meticulous production.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ZN: Etern Decanter Eames Lounge Chair Smart home assistant Lecco Sofa Handcrafted ceramic vase
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
ZN: My day begins with creative sketching, followed by team discussions and project work. Afternoons are for prototyping or client meetings, and evenings are for reading and exploring new trends.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ZN: Stay curious, embrace risks, and build a strong foundation in both technical and creative aspects. Prioritize user experience, integrity, and responsibility
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ZN: Positives include creating impactful designs and solving problems creatively. Negatives can be tight deadlines and the pressure to constantly innovate.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ZN: Being thoughtful in benefits the design brings. Every design element should serve a purpose and contribute to the overall effectiveness and beauty of the product.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
ZN: Key skills include creativity, technical proficiency, problem-solving, empathy, and effective communication.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ZN: I use sketchbooks, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino for 3D modeling, and various prototyping materials. Inspiration comes from art books, nature, and online platforms.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ZN: I set clear priorities, break tasks into manageable steps, and schedule focused work sessions with regular breaks.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ZN: The timeline varies; for instance, designing the Etern Decanter took about six months from concept to completion.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ZN: People often ask about my technical tools used in design, the health benefits associated with a certain function, and how I develop my design ideas.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
ZN: One of my more successful products has generated over 12 million in revenue and counting. Designing the Etern Decanter was pivotal as well, blending artistry with technical precision and resulting in a widely appreciated piece.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
ZN: Our clients include wellness, health-focused, home décor, and lifestyle brands seeking sophisticated, wellness-oriented designs. We have sold products to Huawei, BMW and MCM.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ZN: I enjoy designing wellness-promoting products that combine beauty and health functionality, enhancing everyday life.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ZN: We plan to expand our product line with more wellness-oriented home and health products, exploring new materials and technologies.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ZN: I lead the creative vision but work closely with a talented team and clients. Collaboration is essential for the best results.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
ZN: Yes, we are developing a new line of smart home wellness products, launching in the coming months.
FS: How can people contact you?
ZN: Through our website or via email, we welcome discussions on new projects and collaborations. zoe@ni.design
FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
ZN: I'd like to emphasize the profound impact of design on wellness. At ZN Design, we strive to create products that enhance both functionality and beauty, promoting a better quality of life.
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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