Interview with Ruimin He

Ruimin He ("RH") interviewed on Thursday, 19 May.

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

RH : My career started in 2015 since I graduated in Industrial Design with Master Degree. At the beginning I just designed physical product. With increasing development of IoT technology, it brought me a challenge to design digital applications applied to physical product, like app and web design.

How did you become a designer?

RH : When I was kid, I like to draw on blank paper. No matter it was a word or random drawing, I might take it as a good way to express my thought. Later, I found the technical drawing of architecture / product is pretty with logic and art. So that I want to be a designer to create something innovative and meaningful.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

RH : During the design process, firstly consider "Who do you design for", secondly observe the whole using routine, third is prototype is really important to verify the design. I usually use professional software for rendering and initial mock-up.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

RH : feeling excited, be happy, and live a full life.

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

RH : I think I'm kind of good at communication. It benefits me to be related to normal people, and discover users' true demands via design. Also good communication skill helps me to discuss with clients clearly. Moreover, I can present my design and its story behind well to public.

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

RH : In my student age, innovation was most important thing to me. Later, When I studied in Master degree and work for while, I found critical and practical thinking became more important. I want to win more award in the future for public approbation. And I want to apply for a job overseas. Recently, I want to try jewellery design.

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

RH : Work hard for your dreams, think with logic, enjoy in the process.

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

RH : Logic is also meaningful for designers. It ensures the quality and stability, also is a sure way to suit most users.

What is your day to day look like?

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 at weekend.

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

RH : Some design foundation will announce latest trends every year or season. Subscribe them will on track with the design trends. I like to design based on the latest design trends because it makes sense and reasonable. But I also change a bit with my own thinking and prediction, hence it could be more convincing with my personal style.

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

RH : Is the design understandable? Can it evoke people's feeling? I will define a design with these two questions. 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.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

RH : Is the design understandable? Is it useful? Is it long-last? Can it evoke people's feeling? I use the same questions to define my design is ready or not. Also keep questioning after a break, go back to look at the design and ask again. Sometimes you can find something new for next version or update.

What is your biggest design work?

RH : Every single project is biggest to me. Sometimes a design project takes 1 year or more to finalize, even ongoing project that improve all the time with marketing demands.

Who is your favourite designer?

RH : Recently, I like design by Tom Dixon. I think there are really good consumer product with well using of bronze and match the marketing. I also like Zaha Hadid. She was one of successful women and designers. Her distinctive design style, streamline, always inspired me.

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

RH : I live in China and 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.

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

RH : I take charge of my team as design leader, and also develop my individual design myself. 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.

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

RH : It is pleasure if can do philanthropic contributions to society as a designer. Some of my joined design associations would had events for holidays, such as Children's Day, International Women's Day and so on, to invite people or kids know there. It is a positive way to relate art and society.

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

RH : Thank you for giving me the opportunity to let more people know me and my design!

Ruimin He Profile