Interview with Xiaokai Li

Xiaokai Li ("XL") interviewed on Tuesday, 5 May.

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

XL : I have been working in design for 6 years and have worked in many famous design companies in Shanghai, Xiamen and Hangzhou, China.

How did you become a designer?

XL : Since childhood, the love of art, good design can make life and the environment a better belief.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

XL : The design first considers the form of the product, then draws its structure with a pencil, and then uses a computer-aided rendering model.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

XL : Step by step from the beginning of the design to the idea will make me more and more excited.

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

XL : The love of Bauhaus design, Bauhaus design is the perfect combination of art and technology.

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

XL : I am from interior design to furniture design. In the future, I want to cooperate with more fields. My ideal project is to design all the furniture products according to the specified architectural space.

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

XL : Young people need to have faith, enthusiasm, and great commitment.

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

XL : I hope more designers can pay attention to the current environmental and social issues.

What is your day to day look like?

XL : Engaged in brainstorming in the company every morning, deepening the morning's ideas in the afternoon, and generally watching things related to design or art at night.

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

XL : I think that good design should not follow the trend. Generally, design inspiration comes from daily life and is related to the things around you.

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

XL : Good design comes with a language and has its own logic of existence.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

XL : I think there will be unfinished parts in every design. If the design is too perfect, it will lose its growth.

What is your biggest design work?

XL : I once designed a whole set of furniture for a library project, all the furniture in it belongs to this space.

Who is your favourite designer?

XL : Le Corbusier, his architecture and furniture are great.

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

XL : I like reading, traveling and experimental music, they will bring me different fun and inspiration.

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

XL : We operate both interior and furniture design. We prefer experimental and challenging projects.

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

XL : As a designer, I pay more attention to the problems of urban streets, such as the iteration of new and old building streets, and how to protect traditional buildings.

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

XL : Participating in the competition allows me to recognize myself, and through the competition platform, I can see more works of excellent designers, and I can get more opportunities for cooperation for myself.

Xiaokai Li Profile