Interview with Wei Hu

Wei Hu ("WH") interviewed on Tuesday, 27 May.

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

WH : I graduated with a major in Decoration Design from the China Academy of Art and have worked in the design field for 30 years. I previously worked for the listed company Guangtian Group and held the position of Dean of the Design Institute. Many of my clients trust and appreciate me deeply, including the owner of a chain enterprise who entrusted me with a series of design projects—both new developments and renovations of existing ones. The constant need for innovation and iteration in such projects has driven me to keep creating.

How did you become a designer?

WH : When I first graduated, I wanted to pursue a career in painting. But later, I discovered that design could turn imagination into reality—I loved that feeling, so I chose to become a designer. Now, I realize it was the right decision. The desire to create drives my designs, and I hope my spaces can move people emotionally, just like a great painting or a beautiful song. I want to use design to improve others' lives, as well as my own family's life. Because I’m fascinated by transformation, working in design is the perfect fit for me.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

WH : When designing, I carefully listen to the client's needs, thoroughly analyze the project context, and explore multiple viable solutions to achieve a balance between functionality and aesthetics. Functionality is my top priority—I focus on rational space planning and smooth circulation to ensure the design meets practical requirements. For user experience, I consider how to enhance comfort and well-being through spatial layout, style positioning, and thoughtful lighting design. To reflect culture and individuality, I integrate the client's background and personal preferences into the design, creating a distinctive spatial identity. During the initial phase, I use hand sketches to quickly capture fleeting inspiration, while later stages rely on computer-aided design for clearer client communication and precise execution.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

WH : The most exhilarating part of design lies in achieving the perfect fusion of functionality and aesthetics. Witnessing those fresh, fervent ideas gradually take shape through interdisciplinary collaboration is utterly captivating. Often, the realized outcome surpasses the initial renderings—because drawings are confined to two dimensions, while space exists in multidimensional reality. There’s an incomparable sense of fulfillment when both the creator and the public resonate with the finished work. It’s these successive triumphs that fuel my relentless pursuit of the next creative endeavor.

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

WH : Among painters, I have always admired Wu Guanzhong’s works particularly—his mastery of dynamic, expressive lines is extraordinary. Similarly, in Stephen Chow’s films, every supporting character shines with indispensable brilliance. Design, to me, synthesizes techniques from painting, cinema, and music: interiors must balance solid and void, supporting and leading elements, moments of calm and climax. These principles are vital in creating spaces that resonate emotionally. I.M. Pei has influenced my design practice most profoundly—his Shanghai Art Museum first awakened me to the magic of spatial composition. My design journey has been blessed by China’s remarkable era of development, offering endless opportunities to bring creative visions to life…

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

WH : Upon graduation, I chose to move to Shenzhen—the vanguard of China’s reform and opening-up, where global trends arrived first. There, I gained direct exposure to international design developments and joined multinational firms, rapidly mastering industry standards while broadening my horizons. My aspiration has always been to become a trusted designer with greater creative autonomy and the freedom to choose meaningful projects. As a designer, I want to be remembered for distinctive work that leaves a lasting impression. My current focus is pioneering the next evolution of medical aesthetic spaces. With ongoing chain clinic design projects, I’m committed to continuous innovation—helping more people rediscover confidence through transformative environments.

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

WH : For young designers, passion comes first – only by truly loving design can you devote yourself fully to every project, creating works that satisfy both yourself and your clients, building your portfolio step by step. You need to absorb information from multiple dimensions, endure solitude, and most importantly, enjoy the creative process. My hard-earned lesson: taking a project from concept to completion is a complex journey – it involves budgeting, coordinating with various specialists, and even catering to the client's personal tastes. Design is like dancing in shackle – the more successful projects you deliver, the fewer restrictions you'll face, and the more trust you'll earn from clients. Stay focused. Treat every project seriously. Keep accumulating successful experiences. Master the details. Create spaces that resonate emotionally with people. Travel often. Immerse yourself in different cultures, landscapes, and environments. Draw inspiration from diverse lifestyles. Design isn’t about working behind closed doors – engage with peers, visit exhibitions, showcase your work, and listen to feedback. Great design grows through exchange and exposure.

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

WH : As a designer, it's essential to love design, stay attuned to trends, and unleash your imagination. Embrace divergent thinking to develop unique creative concepts, while remaining open to professional advice on functionality to avoid common pitfalls and biases. The threshold of design is paradoxically both high and low - everyone possesses distinctive ideas and creativity. What matters most is ensuring aesthetics never become disconnected from functionality.

What is your day to day look like?

WH : 7:00 AM | News immersion – fueling my mind with global perspectives 8:00 AM | Client dialogues & construction oversight – turning blueprints into reality 1:00 PM | Power nap – essential creative rebooting 3:00 PM | Afternoon tea + sketching frenzy – when caffeine meets creativity 7:00 PM | Gym session – physical energy for mental agility 10:00 PM | Midnight introspection – evaluating today's work, envisioning tomorrow's breakthroughs My morning rocket fuel? A potent espresso shot. When extra inspiration's needed, a cigar's swirling smoke becomes my thought catalyst. I constantly seek beyond my creative comfort zone – studying paintings, sculptures, films that challenge my imagination. During mundane tasks, you'll find me sparking discussions on design forums. Nothing compares to the joy of seeing a design come to life – like witnessing your child's first steps. And when users connect with my creations? That's pure designer's euphoria.

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

WH : I consciously embrace contemporary trends because exceptional design harnesses - rather than resists - the momentum of the zeitgeist to create solutions aligned with modern lifestyles. My work seeks to crystallize seasonal aesthetics while integrating cutting-edge materials and technological innovations. Inspiration strikes unpredictably - perhaps through wandering foreign streets, being moved by an avant-garde painting, or catching a melody that rearranges my creative neurons. The key lies in transmuting these sparks into designs that feel simultaneously of-the-moment and timeless.

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

WH : To me, truly great design creates spaces that move people - capable of evoking deep emotions just like a masterpiece painting or soul-stirring melody. It possesses a healing quality that nurtures the human spirit. Every technical element - lighting, materials, scent, temperature - must serve one ultimate purpose: forging an emotional connection between people and space. When a design resonates emotionally, it transcends mere functionality to become art. My Design Criteria: 1. Holistic Harmony - Never allow form and function to diverge 2. Problem-Solving First - The design must fundamentally address its intended purpose 3. Emotional Resonance - Success is measured by the depth of audience connection This philosophy guides my creative process: technology and aesthetics are merely tools to create spaces that touch the human heart.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

WH : My "yes" to a final version simply means meeting commercial deadlines - we deliver our best within constrained timelines. Yet the creative process never truly concludes; even after project completion, my mind continues refining possibilities to elevate the initial design. The real measure of success? When the finished space establishes that profound, wordless dialogue with its users - that moment of authentic emotional resonance is when I know the design has triumphed.

What is your biggest design work?

WH : My most significant design project to date is a cosmetic surgery hospital renovation located by West Lake in Hangzhou, which took approximately two years to complete. This project was commissioned by a chain enterprise owner who entrusted me with a series of design projects, of which this was one. Before commencing the design, I thoroughly examined the initial requirements, the site conditions, and the spatial characteristics of the project. The design process involved budgeting, coordinating with various specialists, and continuous refinements to achieve the optimal solution. Upon completion, both the client and end-users expressed immense satisfaction, making this a truly successful project in my view. What makes this project particularly special is its ability to evoke an emotional connection with the space—a quality I believe defines exceptional design.

Who is your favourite designer?

WH : My favorite architect is I.M. Pei, who redefined the relationship between art and humanity through his mastery of geometric precision and luminous architecture, innovating spatial experiences with materiality and light. Among his works, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art stands out as my personal favorite - where Pei's pioneering use of triangular geometry created an architectural paradigm that influenced generations of subsequent designs. If granted the opportunity to converse with any departed design visionary, I would choose Pei without hesitation. I'd ask how he convinced clients to execute his then-radical visions - those initially unpopular yet ultimately groundbreaking schemes that changed how we perceive space.

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

WH : I love Shenzhen - this is where I've chosen to live and create. To me, music is an inseparable part of the creative process; I always listen to music while designing, believing that powerful melodies can touch people's souls just like profound spatial experiences do. Great design creates emotionally moving spaces that resonate like masterful paintings or soul-stirring music - it heals, inspires, and elevates. In residential spaces, exceptional design manifests as quality of life; in commercial environments, it becomes invisible productivity. This is why I believe good design isn't just desirable, but essential for societal progress.

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

WH : Working with me isn't easy—I'm intensely dedicated and demand excellence. Currently working independently, I acknowledge collaboration with me can be equally challenging. I deliberately choose partners who share my philosophy of total commitment to their craft. The central challenge of my profession lies in consistently securing quality projects. What defines an exceptional designer, in my view, is: • The discipline to continuously analyze both successes and failures from past projects • Meticulous attention to every undertaking down to the smallest detail • Proactive communication with clients at every stage • The relentless pursuit of achieving optimal final execution This uncompromising approach ensures each delivered work meets our exacting standards of satisfactory realization.

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

WH : I believe my way of giving back to the community is through creating energy-efficient, eco-conscious art designs that blend traditional local craftsmanship with contemporary design approaches, incorporating material recycling and creative reuse. While I don't consider doing pro bono work, I define good design by two key criteria: 1. Its effectiveness in solving the identified problems 2. Its ability to create spaces that resonate emotionally with users I actively support fellow designers by: • Sharing my design perspectives and professional standards • Providing opportunities through project referrals • Fostering meaningful collaborations within our design community This approach allows me to contribute to both environmental sustainability and the growth of our design ecosystem.

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

WH : Participating in the A' Design Award serves as an exceptional platform to connect with outstanding industry peers. Such accolades represent professional recognition from the design community while simultaneously enhancing project presentations for clients - ultimately creating significant advantages for securing future commissions. Design awards and my career development exist in a mutually reinforcing cycle: • The honors validate my professional expertise • This recognition leads to higher-quality projects • Improved portfolios enable more competition participation • Further awards elevate my practice to new levels Being an award-winning designer fills me with profound honor and joy. Your recognition serves as my enduring motivation to push creative boundaries. This virtuous cycle continues to propel both my skills and career forward.

Wei Hu Profile