Interview with Tzuhsiang Lin

Tzuhsiang Lin ("TL") interviewed on Thursday, 1 May.

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

TL : I’m an industrial designer with a background in both product and visual design. I earned my Master’s degree from Pratt Institute in New York, and over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with startups, manufacturers, and design studios across the U.S. and Asia. My work spans from consumer electronics and furniture to lighting and packaging. I’ve been fortunate to receive international recognition, including Red Dot and A’ Design Awards.

How did you become a designer?

TL : My interest in design began early—I was always curious about how objects were made and how they fit into people's lives. Over time, that curiosity turned into a passion for creating. I formally pursued this path through design education, and what drew me most was the ability to improve everyday experiences through thoughtful form and function.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

TL : I prioritize three things: emotional resonance, clarity of function, and material experience. I often begin with research and sketching, then transition into 3D modeling and prototyping. My style leans toward minimalism, with soft forms and strong attention to texture, light, and human interaction.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

TL : Designing brings me a sense of calm and curiosity. The most exciting moment is when a concept begins to feel real—when the ideas click into form. There's joy in making something that others will eventually connect with emotionally and physically.

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

TL : Growing up in Taiwan and later living in the U.S. gave me a dual perspective on aesthetics, culture, and function. Non-design skills like storytelling, empathy, and adaptability have also been key in helping me communicate ideas clearly and collaborate across disciplines.

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

TL : My goal is to expand my Nest Home Collection, continue working on wellness-oriented design, and eventually open my own multidisciplinary studio. I’d love to collaborate on public installations or sensory spaces that merge technology with tactile materials.

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

TL : Stay curious and be patient. Don’t rush to find a signature style—focus instead on learning how to solve problems with empathy and creativity. Listen well, ask questions, and remember that design is a long game built on constant refinement.

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

TL : Keep your process transparent and your mindset open. Never underestimate the power of prototyping and feedback. Avoid designing only for trends—create for people, and the work will always feel relevant.

What is your day to day look like?

TL : I usually start my day with quiet time and sketching or reviewing feedback. Midday is for modeling or collaborating with clients. I like to break focus with short walks or reading, and I use evenings to reflect or prototype ideas.

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

TL : I stay updated through design platforms like Dezeen and Frame, but I don’t chase trends. I believe in being aware of them, but staying grounded in what feels timeless and personally meaningful.

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

TL : Good design is clear, purposeful, and emotionally resonant. If a design solves a need, communicates its function intuitively, and brings a sense of delight or calm—it’s successful in my eyes.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

TL : A design is ready when further changes begin to feel like noise, not refinement. I ask: does it fulfill its purpose? Is it clear? Is there emotional clarity? When the answer is yes, I let it go.

What is your biggest design work?

TL : My Nest Lamp, which won the Red Dot Design Concept Award, is one of my most meaningful works. It explores emotional comfort through organic form and layered 3D-printed textures, creating light that feels both protective and poetic.

Who is your favourite designer?

TL : I admire Naoto Fukasawa for his subtlety and restraint, and how his designs feel both inevitable and human. I’m also inspired by Isamu Noguchi for his sculptural sensitivity and ability to cross disciplines.

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

TL : I live between cultures—born in Taiwan, trained in New York—which deeply influences how I balance softness and structure in my work. I draw from both Eastern minimalism and Western narrative thinking.

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

TL : I value clarity, trust, and thoughtful pacing. I work independently but often collaborate with other creatives or engineers. I believe good work comes from mutual respect and shared curiosity.

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

TL : I occasionally mentor younger designers and volunteer design services for non-profit or environmental causes. I believe design should contribute to well-being, not just aesthetics.

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

TL : Participating in the A’ Design Award gave me international visibility and connected me with a global design community. It was also validating to have my work recognized for both concept and execution. The top three benefits were: professional credibility, networking opportunities, and motivation to keep evolving as a designer.

Tzuhsiang Lin Profile