Interview with Xiaofei Cui

Xiaofei Cui ("XC") interviewed on Friday, 10 August.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

XC : I have over 23 years of experience in design and over 10 years in industrial design education. I worked as an exhibition designer and freelance designer from 1993 to 2003, I used to study in the UK for my master's degree, 4 years aboard study really broaden my view and also make me have the high levels of self-confidence in design, and then I worked as the art director for a jewellery design company. Since 2007 concurrently teaching product design part-time in design schools and universities in China. I have worked in education full-time from 2009 while maintaining my design practice up to now.

How did you become a designer?

XC : I think the main reason is I love creating beautiful things when I was a child, especially like to drawing something in my fantasy world. It quickly became clear to me in high school that I love Chinese traditional painting and western oil painting. I don't know anything about design at that time actually, not just me, even in the whole society of China. Fortunately something happened in the late 80s of last century of my country. I got chance to study the product design in the local University, and also that is my first time understand the concept of design, and I really enjoy to create some different.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

XC : For me, first focus on the theme, then use sketch and physical models in project development. Depending on the circumstances, sometimes created complex models using 3D printing techniques.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

XC : It is undoubtedly exciting to find a suitable project to carry out research and design. for me, I felt most happy time is when I finished project.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

XC : I like oil painting, and I also like to read some philosophical and historical books, these will influence my design work. Of course I think most important thing is that I have the habit of exercising, this habit give me enough energy and perseverance to accomplish everything I want to do.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

XC : I am planning to do some special design just for my daughter actually, my dream is to design a luxury soft airship. for my future I am going to create a personal brand, and maximize the value of social and marketing of designers.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

XC : Observe, experience and read a lot, and then just do it by your hands, because making is thinking.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

XC : First of all, make sure you really love design and enjoy it. Secondly, you should have a wide range of knowledge and social responsibility. Thirdly, always concentrate in one direction that you really interested in. Finally, sometimes you should stop talking, but never stop practicing, and keep study and get the useful feedback from the real end-users.

What is your day to day look like?

XC : I like to read all kinds of books in my daily life, not just in design. I believe that if you want to make a breakthrough improvements in some design field, you must have the knowledge out of that area. Especially after reaching a certain height of your design level, I think only philosophy can help you to develop your design skills. Design is the ability of grasping all the details. I am a person who love life and pay attention to the little details of daily life, design is an integral part for me. in addition, I love teaching job, I believe that choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

XC : In my opinion the latest design trends is a false proposition, eye reach, freedom of thinking and persistence are the key elements of design work. Then is Observation, curious everything, take notice and make record of things others overlook. desire to draw upon my observations and then improve the design standards, desire drives action, great designers desire great change. Unbound by rules and trends, we should see rules or trends as references, freedom of thought is what many call creativity.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

XC : Good design is innovative, Good design makes a product useful , Good design is aesthetic, Good design helps us to understand a product, Good design is unobtrusive, Good design is honest, Good design is durable, Good design is consequent to the last detail, Good design is concerned with the environment, Good design is as little design as possible, Good design doesn't over design, Good design should find the balance between form and function. in addition, keep asking yourself or someone else is this good enough? If they don’t say “Wow”, you know you have some work have to do.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

XC : This question is too difficult for me to answer actually, I think accumulated experience may have good answers , rich experience can make me find out the best solutions to an existing problem. I never stop improve my work until the deadline in most business cases.

What is your biggest design work?

XC : One of my design work I really like to talk about, I can't say that is greatest, actually it just a set of bowl. you know ancient Chinese use rice soup as the glue to make the highly effective paper armor, according to this production method the bowl made by rice and rice paper, light as if there is no weight when you hold it in hand, it would be a new way to reduce cost and carbon emissions. My current design work is a set of marine life-saving equipment. Apologize I can't say too much details about that. I hope this project can revolutionize the existing facilities.

Who is your favourite designer?

XC : I like Philippe Starck, because his Juicy Salif is not just a product, it is a work of art in the kitchen. In addition one of the design masters who has influenced me the most is Sir Jonathan Ive, he is the chief design officer (CDO) of Apple Inc. we graduated from the same university, I think the most important thing he taught me is you have to make the real design model by your own hand, not just drawing.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

XC : I am teaching at a university in China right now, I don't have a particular favorite city, I love all ancient or modern cities such as Rome , Tokyo, Shanghai, Edinburgh, because that can make me feel the past or present culture, culture is an important element of design work, and of course including my own culture. Culture determines peoples lifestyle, the lifestyle determines human behavior and thinking patterns. Obviously design play great role in shaping the society and that also not only from the view of environment but also from the aspects of lifestyle even mentality. Design is create some good things influences people, anything that influence people can make an impact on society.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

XC : As a teacher and independent designer, actually I pay more attention to the education research. I am quite enjoy the interaction process when discussing design with my students. For business cases more often than not I like to work alone, and prefer to choose what I like to do. I think self-honesty and confidence are two characteristics for a good designer, If you want to consistently put out quality work and progress as a designer, you need to be brutally honest with yourself. People have an inherent ability to justify their decisions. If you are lacking in confidence, your clients will lack confidence in you.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

XC : Good design is not just about the aesthetic improvement of our environment，it is as much about improved quality of life, equality of opportunity and economic growth. Good design can help anyone make your life much easier and environmentally friendly. I used to led a team of young designers to participate in a series project for two hope primary school of China.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

XC : the most important thing about Awards is the designers can get the most recognition, it can also improve the ability of design presentation and communication, at the same time expand the social scope in the design field. I feel so lucky and honored to be the designer of the day.

Xiaofei Cui Profile