Interview with Xianou Ni

Xianou Ni ("XN") interviewed on Tuesday, 1 May.

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

XN : It has been 10 years since I graduated from school of Jewellery , BCU, UK, in 2017. afterword I was artist-in-residence in London Metropolity University and set up my workshop , I worked as a freelance jewellery designer and took part in exhibition internationally.I went back to China in 2010, taught jewellery course in China Academy of arts in Hangzhou, continue my workshop until now.

How did you become a designer?

XN : I fininshed my BA and MA in Industrial design,from 1994 to 2001. I became a professional designer and jeweller since I draduated in School of Jewellery ,BCU,UK , in 2007.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

XN : I have a good taste and sensitive to the form, and I am experenced in goldsmithing technique as I studied two years ND course in shcool of Jewellery, BCU.I started my research about the deconstruction phylosophy in my art work since my MA course in school of jewellery. I made my art work with this idea continuely until now. I create the work by hand, starting with sketch.Sometime I use the digital tool to help make model when I do some design project, staring with the sketch as well.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

XN : when i draw out the sketch on the paper, because i draw out easiy ,when i saw the sketch , sometime suddenly feel that it will be a good piece when it been made with 3D dimention.I feel exciting about this , I was impetuous to start making right now because I have imagination the 3D form in my mind.

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

XN : Both my education of industrial design and education of Jewellery design shaped my current designer career.

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

XN : I had been art- design world for more than 20 years and I like it very much as I enjoy the creation process. I will continue my design career until the end of my life,my life is meaningful because of this. I wish I can have a chance to cooperate with some big brand and always make excellent work in the future.

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

XN : The advice for the new designer is that you must carry on your dream even though you cant make good money as a designer, the good design is important for our society ,and it can proof your telant when one day comes.

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

XN : Good luck fo every good arist, every designer. one day you will deserve it as long as you work hard.

What is your day to day look like?

XN : I try to keep my daily life as simple as I can.

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

XN : Get information via internet.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

XN : then,find a workshop to have it made.if it is artistic style, I made it by myself,it will take longer time as i will look at every detail and find out a better way.

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

XN : I like London as it is an artistic and historical city.and my current city Hangzhou, it is the most beatiful city in my country, quiet,luxuriantly green,elegant. i am sure that my culture does effect my creation a lot.I am working in Hangzhou now, where I am teaching in China Academy of Arts, and I have my workshop here.because of my culture, in my work, it always have a sense of artistic conception of the east,which make my work very special .

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

XN : I like be free to work with, as i am doing different things at the same time that means that i orgnize my timetableeasily . I am the only designer in my workshop and have two assistants (maker)help me to keep my business. i have some cooperation with some art shop and sell works in there, regularly works sell is ok as the designer work is still hard to sell in my contry as most people like traditional style, it is hard to push them to buy designer work.

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

XN : It will be wonderful experence to me because I feel more people like my work than I thought that will make me have more confidence for the furture. And this will encourage me to go out get more people understand and know me.

Xianou Ni Profile