1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.

Pei Yang (formerly known as Pei Yan) is an expert member of China Europe International Design Association, a member of China Construction and Decoration Association, a member of Suzhou Decoration Association, a registered senior interior architect in China, co-founder and art director of Suzhou Xinglai Architectural Design and Engineering Co. Outside I try to serve each of my clients well, because I know that my clients are my parents, their preferences are the most important, and to give them the good life they want is also what I must pursue in life, I want to use what I have learned to help more customers and friends, but also to pass the design concept to the people who need it. Internally I unite my colleagues, organize design learning and practice activities, help new designer members, designer assistants, interns, gather team spirit, make the team develop better, also often lead the team to participate in national and regional competitions, and achieve excellent results, they are my family. Success in career needs the perfect combination of knowledge, perseverance, sweat and opportunity. Likewise, the honor of a company needs to carry its carrier - the selfless dedication of people. Education Background: Graduated from Suzhou Vocational University, Department of Environmental Art in 2012, and further studied in Shanghai Tongji University, Lighting Design in 2016. Work background: 2007 - 2010 Lead designer of Jiangsu Red Ant Architecture & Decoration Design & Engineering Co. 2011 - Present Co-founder and design director of Suzhou Xinglai Architectural Decoration & Design Co. 2015 - Present Art Director of Yishuxuan Soft Decoration Company, a subsidiary of Suzhou Xinglai Architectural Decoration & Design Co. Awards: 2014 China Outstanding Young Designer, 2015 Most Influential Design Organization (Team), 2017 Ruili Home Star Designer, 2020 China Jintang Award for Outstanding Work, 2022 4040 Outstanding Young Designer, 2023 International Design Fair CIDF Huading Award, 2023 French Design Exchange FDC AWARD Award, 2023 Muse Design Award, 2023 Muse Design Award, 2023 Muse Design Award, 2023 National Precipitous Cheng Soft Decoration Award.

2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?

My mother was a lover of painting and calligraphy, but in her time there were no material conditions to support her, so her dream would not be there. When I was a child, I went to the fields with my mother to do farm work, and I was observing the natural beauty of the grass and trees that came from nature without replication, and then my mother supported me to learn to paint. Later I entered the college of art to study environmental art. Once I was doing a research on interior design with my classmates, we visited many residential houses and decoration markets, I found that many ordinary people's lives are very busy, the living environment is not satisfactory, and the basic facilities are not perfect, not to mention the quality of life and aesthetic enjoyment, back to school I was very impressed, I was still wandering whether to choose this major to continue to study, but at this time I I am determined to be an interior designer, and an excellent designer, we have to promote the concept of beautiful life to ordinary people!

3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

Suzhou Xinglai Architectural Decoration Design & Engineering Co., Ltd, founded in 2011, is a professional company specializing in design alliance, construction management and building materials alliance. It is a professional company specializing in the design and construction of interior decoration for homes, business clubs, business offices, leisure and entertainment, boutique stores and so on. The company has independent design and design alliance research institute and other strong design force, committed to professional and innovative design concept, fine construction, strict management and quality service for customers to create a scientific, comfortable and not lose the personality of the beautiful space. Since the establishment of the company, the designer's works have won many design awards, and the company has been recognized by the industry, not only as a member of the Suzhou Design Suzhou Decoration Design Association, but also as "China's most influential brand of interior design institutions". Since its establishment in June 2011, she has served as the design director (chief designer) of Xinglai Design. As the design director, she is responsible for the organization and implementation of the project from the professional point of view of a designer, executing the planning of the project design, assigning work and rule-making, reasonably optimizing the work allocation of the group, mainly in optimizing the staff allocation according to the strengths of the group members, which is conducive to improving work efficiency and enhancing the quality of work. In optimizing staffing, we mainly assign work according to the strengths of our team members, which is conducive to improving efficiency, enhancing work quality and reducing unnecessary overtime. During his work in Xinglai Design, he has led other designers to participate in the design of many important works, the main projects are Ziyu Garden Villa Project, Yongjing Bay Villa Project, Golf Garden Project, Landmark Aoyun Garden Project, Suzhou Fuyuan Villa Project, Kunshan Bacheng Tianlun Suiyuan Project, Zhonghai Dushu Island Project, Taihu West Mountain Resort Villa Project, Suzhou Industrial Park Technology Industrial Park Project, etc. These projects have created good design fee output for the company. These projects have created good design fee output value for the company, and played a decisive role for the company to complete the set annual output value task, and also accumulated valuable experience for the company to undertake high-end design demand for villa projects and large, professional park space design.

4 What does “design” mean to you?

As I said earlier, I chose design because someone needs it. There is still a difference between design itself and pure artwork, interior design focuses on helping people in need to create a better human life, improve the quality of life and personal artistic cultivation, and then create beauty and more importantly, an industry chain for people to solve problems.

5 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?

I like all the beautiful designs, but I prefer the design that has a sound on the ground. Just like in recent years, the sky is a lot of design, but we need more grounded design solutions, because the design is for people to use, people's experience is good design, I saw a very good work some time ago, and then I went to visit the name, walking in the gallery felt like entering the world of science fiction, and then I hit the wall, the original wall at the end of the gallery is a mirror, mirror reflection, I really want to Complaints about the designer.

6 To you, what makes a “good” design?

Someone must say that the popular is good design, or odd-shaped, good visual effect, or in line with the current taste of people. In my opinion, when we look at the design, we should not only take the previous ones as reference values, but also combine architecture, ergonomics, aesthetics, geometry, mathematics and other design-related professions, and in recent years, we should also consider AI intelligence and user experience for human life, so that the program can really land, because the design is for people to use, people's experience is good design.

7 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

I often like to go to the nature to observe and record various forms of species, including mountains, rivers, strange rocks, ancient buildings, flowers, trees, birds and animals, etc., to relax and get inspiration in the nature, I also like three or five friends to retired in the ancient streets and alleys with historical and cultural heritage to observe and think, and discuss experience with each other, in constant observation and reflection and experience In the continuous observation and experience, we can get the source of inspiration we want. Pink walls and tiles, landscape scenery, pavilions and water pavilions, stone fences and simple, flower windows and vague scenery, subtle and hazy. All these reflect the harmonious coexistence of architecture and nature, where the essence of Soviet-style gardens is miniature in one side of the world. "The tea room gathers friends with the fragrance of tea, and the music of the zither will immerse you and me in the culture of Jiangnan. Chinese floor-to-ceiling windows link the interior and the courtyard, bringing people closer to nature. While giving the scale of space, the sunlight is portrayed into different shapes, poetically. Standing on the terrace and looking at the fence, looking at the charming scenery, smelling the fragrance of the trees after the rain, it is pleasant to forget the hustle and bustle of the city and return to the calmness and openness of nature, infinite reverie, this Murphy is really in the garden.

8 Tell us about your design process.

First, before doing a design, I often like to go to nature to observe and record various forms of species, including mountains, rivers, strange rocks, ancient buildings, flowers, trees, birds and animals, etc., to relax and get inspiration in nature, I also like three or five friends retired in the ancient streets and alleys with historical and cultural heritage to observe and think, discuss each other's experiences, and get the inspiration they want in constant observation and thinking and experience. source. Secondly, in the design process, my team and I will go to the site survey and discuss with the client about the client's needs, we pay attention to the in-depth communication with the client. Third, when we come back, our team will hold a group discussion and discuss different solutions, including hand-drawn drafts and computer drafts, we will keep discussing. Fourth, the final file by the professional drawing software to draw the hard design program construction drawings and effect drawings, soft furnishing supporting program.

9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?

I respect my country and its cultural heritage very much, and in the design process I will inherit its essence, but without losing the modern people want to simplify the design attitude, in short, the habits and customs of life this point to respect the tradition.

10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

First of all, I would like to thank the organizer for this award, we value this award very much, this award is a recognition for our company and me personally and our team, first of all, this award is international, it means a lot to us, it gives us a great self-confidence in the international arena, and at the same time, it can inspire us to stick to the truth in the road of design, and keep a craftsman's heart to create a better value for the people in need.

11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

The project is located in the center of Yangcheng Lake tourist resort, surrounded by five lakes naturally. The five lakes are: Yangcheng Lake, East Yangcheng Lake, Puppet Lake, Ba Cheng Lake, and Pheasant Lake. Villas built in the park, Yangcheng Lake Water Park, Linhu Park. Forest Park, three parks around. The reason why I chose this project, I mentioned earlier that I like traditional culture, Chinese culture is 5000 years old, it is worthy of being used by people all over the world, not only in China, but also let people know more about China and Chinese designers. In this case, traditional culture is the central axis of this design, reflecting ancient culture and modern civilization, while not forgetting the care for humanities. The overall pattern of the renovation is more concerned with ergonomics, functional rationality, and convenience of living. In the living room, "Chinese floor-to-ceiling windows link the interior with the courtyard, bringing people closer to nature. While giving the scale of space, the sunlight is portrayed into different shapes, which is poetic. Standing on the terrace and looking at the fence, looking at the charming scenery, smelling the fragrance of the trees after the rain, it is pleasant to forget the hustle and bustle of the city and return to the calmness and openness of nature, infinite reverie, this Murphy is really in the garden. The dining room and kitchen, the atrium and the staircase room, oozing the fusion of antiquity and modernity, they are trying to open their hearts to accept each other, which is a kind of space dialogue between ancient and modern civilization, which is the collision of the East and West cultures, which is more modern people's inclusive attitude to life, harmonious and beautiful. In the atrium, there is one scene at a time, the water and moon cave, sending infinite thoughts of loved ones, full of love like a trickle of water, continuous!

12 What was the biggest challenge with this project?

The villa is a two-storey building located in a Chinese garden, the exterior of the building is a moderate Chinese courtyard, the windows are very traditional unlike the modern windows atmospheric light and ventilation, the biggest challenge of this project is the problem that most villas face, the first floor corners are more dampness, and the problem of light, when we do the design, we use marble production process under the foot of all the solid wood doors on the first floor, open the skylight in the patio All the damp walls on the first floor are insulated with natural cultural tiles, just like the design seen in the photo.

13 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?

The award itself is first of all a kind of affirmation for me as a lead designer, and also makes me have a certain influence in the industry, and also gets everyone's recognition in the company, and for the team, my team trusts me more and is willing to work together.

14 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?

What I like most about the industry is: 1, industry organizations design tours. 2, regular salon activities to exchange industry development. 3, help small and medium-sized design companies to do consulting and management.

15 What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?

I personally believe that on the one hand, it is the precipitation of culture, and the continuous efforts of our designers and the spirit of craftsmen who are brave to explore and innovate.

16 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?

The design industry will face greater challenges in the future, with the development of society, people's requirements for design are getting higher and higher, truly a high standard of living era, the designer of the moment has a higher challenge, the designer has experienced from 10 years ago the era of hard furnishing to 5 years ago the era of soft furnishing, and now the era of whole house customization and the early development of the intelligent era, the design industry is also in the non-stop iteration, the future design will be the AI era, all products in the focus on performance at the same time the sense of experience must also be there, truly is and look forward to!

17 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?

If I were a student entering the industry, I would definitely need more learning opportunities, room for advancement, no rules, more freedom for designers, as the saying goes, we want interesting design souls, not cookie-cutter designs.

18 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?

Learning and Training Resources Competition Resources Study Tour Resources

19 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.

Maybe the first love was dumped, hahaha!

20 Who has inspired you in your life and why?

In life, I can't live without the company of my family, and I get more or less inspired in every time I am with my family. Design requires continuous investment and effort, even a little inspiration comes from daily observation, thinking and accumulation, so if you want to achieve commendable achievements in design work, it is necessary to invest to yourself.

21 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

I am a very desperate person, in order to complete a design I will catch up overnight, I will keep observing what others are doing, what the industry is doing, I will go on and on to the awards, to get recognition for themselves and their families and the industry, I will take the team to travel together to see the motherland awards north and south, I think this is the key to my success. I wish the organizer every bit of hard-working people are happy, wish our future young design elite in the design of the road more and more good, design no shortcut, only their own struggle, hard work, to create the value of life, the original heart does not change, craftsmanship remains!

22 Which THREE (3) friends/peers would you nominate to participate in the next MUSE Design Awards?

23 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?

Thank you to the organizers of the Muse Design Awards!

WINNING ENTRY