Interview with Don Ian

Don Ian ("DI") interviewed on Sunday, 2 March.

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

DI : 2020, Faraday Future, Architecture Design for R&D Center 2023, LEEDER, Logo Design 2024, Agiling, Logo Design

How did you become a designer?

DI : I have worked in the automotive industry for more than 10 years and mastered the knowledge of automotive factory planning. I'm very interested in brand and product design. At the end of 2023, I founded "Agiling", with the company's vision of creating better human-machine interaction tools, and independently completed the design and development of the company's first product-the "Cyber ​​Yoke" steering wheel.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

DI : Attempting to find a balance between tradition and modernity, emotion and technology, art and industry

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

DI : tragic and stirring

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

DI : Many people have an inner self isolation, which is related to their personality and experiences during childhood. From a young age, they long for attention and recognition, hoping that one day there will be a mysterious power that can excite a big bang in their inner universe. Our design philosophy is also based on this. Whether it is products or artworks, they can bring users or audiences a unique experience, that is, self recognition, and give customers the ability to personalize and showcase their own value.

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

DI : Productize and commercialize my current designs

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

DI : Design cannot be separated from application scenarios and practical needs. Even if there is a great idea, it should be people-oriented.

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

DI : Be a responsible designer or engineer

What is your day to day look like?

DI : Working on a large sofa all day long.

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

DI : Differentiate between usage scenarios and needs

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

DI : I haven’t formed a fixed style yet, but I believe that art can transcend time, and the design style of the old times can still be combined with modern technology.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

DI : Proving its feasibility, design that is detached from reality cannot be called design completion

What is your biggest design work?

DI : Architecture Design for R&D Center of Faraday Future

Who is your favourite designer?

DI : Jonathan Ive

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

DI : China. Eastern ideology is conservative and introverted, but this does not mean that traditional art cannot evolve. Note that I am talking about the evolution of Chinese culture itself rather than its integration with modern Western art. Chinese native art has its own unique charm, and I love it, but I am not sure that passion alone can help evolve a culture.

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

DI : Agile Interaction Art & Innovation Affection & Intelligence Assure & Intrust

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

DI : After my work was released, it was imitated for free by peers

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

DI : I am very happy that my work has received international recognition for the first time

Don Ian Profile