Interview
Xiaotao Tang
1 Congratulations on winning the MUSE Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
I entered this profession driven by personal passion and interest, which is embodied in my work on Cultural Renewal for Cancer & Pegasus: Anatomical Reconstitutions, featured in the new Conceptual Design category.
2 What does being recognized in the MUSE Design Awards mean to you?
It signifies authoritative validation and marks another step forward in my international journey.
3 How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?
It has attracted valuable sponsorships and support, while also allowing me to connect with like-minded collaborators who share a common vision.
4 What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?
Experimentation serves as a vital source of unique inspiration. I use it to trial new ideas, embrace inevitable errors, and explore a wider range of possibilities.
5 What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
Music, theater, oil paintings, and murals have all deeply influenced me throughout my creative journey. Perhaps the most unconventional influence comes from Renaissance-era art and culture, which continues to inspire my work in unexpected ways.
6 What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
The delicate balance between creativity and order—this equilibrium is vital for producing work that is both innovative and coherent, allowing ideas to flourish within a structured framework.
7 How do you navigate the balance between meeting client expectations and staying true to your ideas?
By clarifying the client’s brand philosophy and preferred expression, I ensure that aligning their goals with my creativity isn’t contradictory—it’s a truly collaborative process that brings out the best in both sides.
8 What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
The integration of extensive linguistic and technical elements was exhausting and demanded relentless effort. However, persistence ultimately led to success—and in doing so, unlocked exciting new possibilities for growth and innovation.
9 How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
I pause and live quietly like everyone else, taking time to study academic papers, deeply immerse myself in diverse art and design works, and patiently wait for inspiration to arrive and spark new ideas.
10 What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
My lifelong pursuit of erudition and perfection drives everything I do.
11 What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
Geometry and philosophy are crucial disciplines—you’ll need to understand and integrate both to achieve meaningful and thoughtful design.
12 If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
The three masters of the Renaissance have profoundly influenced me. Their work continues to inspire my ideas, and I would love to explore how tradition and modernity collide through their perspective in my own interpretations.
13 What's one question you wish people would ask you about your work, and what's your answer?
When asked what kind of designer I aspire to be, my answer is to always do my best and act freely.
