Interview with Cheng Yu Lan

Cheng Yu Lan ("CYL") interviewed on Friday, 29 October.

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

CYL : My undergraduate department studied architectural design. Due to my preference for product design, I turned to product design field development, and I have ten years of relevant work experience.

How did you become a designer?

CYL : In fact, my design inspiration was very late. It was purely because I really liked the feeling of creation that I gradually developed the design profession.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

CYL : I want my design to give people a sense of accuracy, neatness, and richness.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

CYL : I usually feel excited at the beginning, and there will be many different emotions in the process,but I still enjoy it very much.

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

CYL : If I really want to say, I think my ethnic background gives me a significant design energy. Because I am an aboriginal in Taiwan, the educational environment of the Chinese collides with my original education, and the sparks produced are an important experience in my design career.

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

CYL : To be a designer for nearly 10 years in my career, I have tried to absorb nutrients from observations of life and the environment, hoping to increase Taiwan’s attention to and application of design in the future, and a design experience that can make people feel happy is my dream.

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

CYL : Be persistent and don't let go of any detail that expresses the design.

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

CYL : I haven’t successful yet. Every art or architecture has a subjective evaluation.

What is your day to day look like?

CYL : The beginning of the day is usually random. When inspiration flows in, I will create uninterruptedly. When there is no inspiration, I will also enjoy and experience my life.

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

CYL : Popularity is a trend, but the design is unique. It will continue to evolve better than people can have a good experience.

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

CYL : "Good" design is the most suitable design, no matter which aspect it is, such as use method, industrial manufacturing, brand effect, etc.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

CYL : I don't think any design is perfect and ready, because there is always a better design to optimize our experience. Isn't this the reason for the continuous improvement of industrial design?

What is your biggest design work?

CYL : I am proud of each of my designs.

Who is your favourite designer?

CYL : I think the designers I contact have all the knowledge and nutrients that I can absorb.

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

CYL : I love Taichung, Taiwan, I live there, moreover music and culture also influence my design.

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

CYL : We attach great importance to the "original spirit" and advocate designing all the small details in life. In less than two years after its establishment, we have won five international awards. We respect any culture and hope to bring cultural emotions into the design. Continuous growth is our belief.

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

CYL : We never hesitate to provide knowledge and opportunities to young designers.

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

CYL : We hope that design can bring a better life experience, and use the dissemination of design to attract people to feel and experience good design. Winning the award has certainly given our company and me a lot of confidence. Especially for a young design company like us, it is easier to persuade the audience in terms of publicity.

Cheng Yu Lan Profile