Interview
Shu Wang
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
I'm Shu, a design innovator driven by ongoing exploration about how human behavior interacts with form and how design can encourage open-ended engagement. I strive to make design playful, suggesting a function without prescribing, inviting users to interact with my design in their own unique way. This approach transforms the design process into a collaborative, evolving experience.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
My passion for creativity began at a young age, eventually leading me to pursue a degree in design. Design remains something I’m deeply passionate about and continue to explore enthusiastically.
3 What does “design” mean to you?
To me, design is about finding the perfect balance between form, function, and material.
4 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
I appreciate designs that are minimal, functional, and have timeless qualities.
5 To you, what makes a “good” design?
To me, a good design needs to balance between form, function, and material. It needs to reflect thoughtful consideration rather than following trends.
6 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
I seek simplicity and clarity in forms, aiming to create playful designs that suggest function without prescribing it. I continuously explore how human behavior responds to form and how my designs can invite open-ended engagement. I often reflect on how, as a designer, I can step back and allow the object to find its own existence.
7 Tell us about your design process.
My design process is tailored to each specific project. Sometimes I follow a traditional industrial design process, while other times, my process is more hands-on, starting with a goal and drawing inspiration through form exploration or material experimentation.
8 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?
It's a meaningful recognition that truly motivates me to continue exploring the design world.
9 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
“Mess Ensemble” is a project inspired by the familiar sight–often in bedrooms–of chairs laden with clothing. It embraces a playful approach to mess by introducing three free-standing frames that can create limitless compositions. Users are invited to engage with the design freely, either casually tossing clothes onto the frames or using them as canvases to create sculptural compositions. I entered this project because I enjoyed the process and received a lot of positive feedback. I’m curious to see where this experimental design might lead.
10 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
The people, the creative atmosphere, and the energy of care are what I enjoy most about the design industry! I love working with designers and being immersed in a creative environment.
11 What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
I would say the diversity within the creative field. There are countless designs, each unique, shaped by different perspectives and beliefs from designers, who don’t discourage other voices and stay focused on their own professional practice.
12 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
Technology has and will be a driving force in many designs, yet the user remains at the core. While some designs may follow trends or seek a unique voice, the best designs are always timeless.
