Interview with Fan Bai

Fan Bai ("FB") interviewed on Monday, 12 June.

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

FB : After graduating from an art academy, I accumulated over a decade of experience in creative planning and visual design in the large-scale commercial event industry, collaborating pleasantly with international brands such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, GQ, and HUAWEI. To better integrate commercial branding value with art and content value, I founded my own brand WANGJIANXI, aiming to create a novel, fantastical, and unique spiritual home.

How did you become a designer?

FB : I was born into an artist family. During my growth, different art forms left distinct impressions in me, existing like showcases. I hoped to condense different characters' inner worlds into my showcase. My father is an artist, and perhaps influenced by him, I have an innate passion for creation.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

FB : In my designs, the core is always people. I pay attention to their emotions and experiences, focus on their real needs, and respect their diversity and individual differences. By focusing on the emotional and emotional aspects of human beings, I hope to create a deeply connected experience with people in my collectibles. During the design process, I value the application of cutting-edge technology and combine it with the craftsmanship of hand-made art. Models and computers may complement each other when necessary.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

FB : I am not satisfied with conventional forms, perhaps driven by curiosity, and hope to turn the concepts in my mind into reality. The two most exciting moments are when I can understand my work and when viewers have their own interpretations after seeing the work.

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

FB : I have a fifteen-year skiing experience. Because skiers need to keenly observe and understand the surrounding environment at high speed, this sport has, to some extent, enhanced my visual perception and spatial awareness. Moreover, skiers need to cope with various emergencies at any time, which I think is beneficial to improve my creativity and adaptability.

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

FB : When I was very young, I wanted to design a zoo where animals and humans can live in harmony in a holistic environment, interact with each other, instead of a relationship of captivity. In the future, if I have enough time and resources, I hope to participate in the design of endangered animal shelters, providing a safe and comfortable living environment for animals that need shelter and protection through reasonable space planning, appropriate material selection, carefully controlled environments, and meaningful visual design, promoting their recovery and protection.

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

FB : Look for platforms that provide cutting-edge design information, they can give you an objective standard to analyze your own work.

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

FB : Pay more attention to industry information in other fields, and create a cross-disciplinary, diversified, and comprehensive creative collection.

What is your day to day look like?

FB : At the beginning of a day, I review today's to-do tasks with my assistant, prioritizing urgent and important matters, and arrange other projects for different times of the day. Rather than strictly adhering to a daily schedule, I prefer to flexibly manage my work rhythm. For instance, if there are creative tasks, I will undertake them in the morning when my energy is abundant. If there are data analysis and relatively complex tasks that require patience and organization, I will do them in the afternoon, as I feel more focused and clear-headed at that time. I read various industry news and engage in social interaction during lunchtime and evening.

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

FB : I believe that design should not only meet the current needs but also have long-lasting vitality, remaining attractive and practical as time goes by. I pay attention to the social aspects behind design trends, including socio-economic, cultural, and environmental aspects. They provoke deep thinking, thereby influencing my conceptualization process.

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

FB : Designs that have a stance, that are social, and that embody spiritual sustenance.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

FB : When I can fully understand my own work, I consider the design ready for me. However, it's essential to recognize that design is almost always improvable, as there is no perfect design. Design holds different meanings for different people, and it only gains unique significance when integrated with people. I can pursue perfection in my own mind, but for others, it is always a new beginning.

What is your biggest design work?

FB : Cosmic Man's design interprets the idea that life is finite, but consciousness is infinite. One day, artificial intelligence, as a carrier of human consciousness, will accomplish the missions that finite life cannot. The combination of popular topics such as space exploration and artificial intelligence gives this highly collectible toy iconic attributes of the Times.

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

FB : I grew up and developed in an Eastern cultural environment, so Eastern art is a part of my genes. At the same time, I have always enjoyed traveling around the world. Amsterdam, Oslo, and Tokyo, among the more than thirty cities I have visited, have had a profound impact on me. I like the diverse culture and developed design industry of Amsterdam, the natural culture of Oslo, and the avant-garde street culture of Tokyo. Exceptional designs can reflect the values and aesthetics of different cultures, promoting the recognition and respect of cultural diversity.

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

FB : For my personal brand, I usually work independently to create the design and artwork. My commercial collaborations projects with other brands are usually completed by the team. As the chief designer, I preside over the entire design decision, grasp the overall situation, balance the commercial and artistic components in each project, and present the uniqueness of the project through artistic means while showing the sincerity of the brand. The high demand for comprehensive creative ability may be a challenge.

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

FB : I actively collaborate with non-profit organizations in public welfare art exhibitions. I believe that designers have a responsibility to use their creativity and skills to have a positive impact on society and the environment. This includes prioritizing sustainable and ethical practices and utilizing design as a powerful tool for social change.

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

FB : I think international design competitions provide designers with the opportunity to showcase their works and design thinking on a global scale, connecting our work with the world. These platforms allow us to gain exposure, learn from other talented designers, and receive valuable feedback, which can inspire further growth and development in our respective fields.

Fan Bai Profile