Interview
Li Fei
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
My name is Li Fei, I'm the Founder and Design Director of DongDao Space Design Studio as well as the China Building Decoration Association Soft Furnishings Branch Vice-President.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
During childhood, I enjoyed drawing, so I decided to major in Design while studying at the university. With the guidance of excellent tutors, I quickly grew into a professional designer, and I was particularly interested in creative fashion design and art in my work.
3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
Founded in 2016, the DongDao Space Design Studio has been rooted in the design fields of residences, villas, clubs, and offices for many years, upholding the harmonious symbiosis between people, space, and nature. We advocate for the ingenious integration of space, life, function, and culture, forming an energy field full of vitality while exploring new designs, tailor-made for different spaces, and providing customers with professional design and whole-process landing services.
4 What does “design” mean to you?
For me, the focus of design is on how to make it easier for consumers to understand and use the products, rather than how to attract consumer attention with the dazzling appearance and diverse functions of the product. For example, Apple's products may appear simple in appearance, but their fundamental feature is that they can easily guide users to start operating their phones. This approach of downplaying design traces and enhancing user convenience is precisely the pursuit of "minimalism" in product design in the information age.
5 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
I love minimalism the most. To make something simple, one needs to truly recognize the potential challenges and find beautiful solutions which requires a lot of effort.
6 To you, what makes a “good” design?
Good design should take an aesthetic perspective, grasp the explicit characteristics of rational beauty - objectivity, authenticity, morality, and harmony - and further explore the underlying logic of rationality under these explicit characteristics.
7 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
The main characteristic of minimalism is not simplification or elimination, but precision and certainty. As the increasingly accepted minimalist lifestyle, it is not simply about reducing the content of life, but about determining what one wants and rejecting what is not. Not letting unnecessary things disturb is the secret to achieving perfection and tranquility.
8 Tell us about your design process.
I have a deep understanding of the client's space needs, the integration of outdoor environment and interior design, and then research the relationship between space and light and cost. Then, I will analyze their lifestyle and understand their interrelationships and dynamics with space. Finally, I communicated these with the client in depth to reach a consensus and determine the design style. I fully transformed the communication process into design concepts, transformed design concepts into design outcomes, and completed the entire design.
9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
Chinese traditional culture has had a profound impact on interior design. It not only provides rich design elements and inspirational sources but also shapes the aesthetic concepts and design concepts of designers. With the continuous development of modern design techniques and techniques, traditional culture will also become more diverse and innovative in the interpretation of modern interior design.
10 Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
I am honored to have won a silver medal in the Muse Design Award, where I focus on my passion and persist in my dreams. This award is not only a recognition of myself personally, but also a recognition of our team's unremitting efforts. Behind every success, there are countless attempts and breakthroughs for us. It is precisely because of our love for design that we can continuously advance in this field. Winning such important awards, and showcasing our works to the world is an honor for designers like us.
11 What was the biggest challenge with this project?
The biggest challenge in this case is precise control over structural adjustments during the design process.
12 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
Winning the Silver Medal at the Muse Design Award means that the contestants have achieved a high level of technical, creative, expressive, and artistic value in their works in the field, which can be highly recognized and affirmed by the international professional jury. The Muse Design Award is a platform for global artists to showcase their talents and exchange learning.
13 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
Tell about your own experience and achievements in designing and decorating homes, as well as the fun and satisfaction that these experiences and achievements bring to you.
14 What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
Chinese design emphasizes a deep understanding and application of traditional Chinese culture, combined with modern design concepts for innovation, reflecting sensitivity to the pulse of the times and the characteristics of cross-border integration
15 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
The future design will pay more attention to the presentation of human emotions and experiences. Designers will consider people's emotional needs more and create products and environments with more emotional resonance and interactivity through design elements such as color, material, and lighting. Emotional design can enhance user satisfaction and emotional connection, creating a more humane design experience. These trends may only be a part of future design development, and the actual direction of development will also be influenced by various factors such as technology, society, and culture. The development of future design will be a continuous process of evolution and innovation.
16 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Ensure that the work conforms to the latest aesthetic style, conduct product comparison and analysis of previous award-winning products, and highlight core advantages
17 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
The ancients said, "It is better to teach fish than to teach it to fish." Mastering the ability to acquire knowledge is more important than mastering a certain knowledge. In this era of information explosion, it is difficult to have a book or website that can meet all your requirements. We need to learn to use the surrounding channels to quickly screen and filter, and obtain efficient and high-quality information content. Chat or learn from senior colleagues in the same industry. Go more ① read books, news, and online media ② attend training courses or online courses ③ learn from others ④ learn from things around you
18 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
Although AI intelligent design can improve efficiency and accuracy in certain aspects, it is unlikely to completely replace manual design. The creative thinking and human intelligence of designers remain an indispensable part of design. Therefore, future design work will rely more on the combination of technology and human intelligence.
19 Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My teachers have inspired me, their teachings not only taught me knowledge, but more importantly, taught me the principles of being a good person, and made me understand the importance of responsibility and responsibility. Their words and deeds have taught me the power of diligence and concentration, which has had a profound impact on my outlook on life.
20 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
The key to success would be to have quick and decisive decision-making skills, while concentrating energy and focus on working towards a set goal. On another note, I do hope that the Muse Design Award will continue improving and attracting more talented individuals from around the world.
21 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?
I hope the MUSE Design Awards can be more widely promoted and have more cooperation with mainstream design media from various countries.
