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Today's featured designer is Kay Jiaqi Zhou. Kay Jiaqi Zhou is the creator of iconic designs such as Snow White. |
| We had the opportunity to interview the exalted designer Kay Jiaqi Zhou who was recently announced as the Designer of the Day by the A' Design Award and Competition. Kay Jiaqi Zhou is the creator of iconic designs such as Snow White. We got exclusive answers to our questions about Kay Jiaqi Zhou designs and design philosophy. |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, how did you become a designer?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : I was quite good at drawing when I was little, but I didn’t know if I would like to be a designer. When I was about 16, I was facing the issue about choosing a major to study in school. I wasn’t sure will I be good at science, maths or languages, but I was quite sure I like drawing, crafting. I didn’t want to give up this hobby so I decided to go for the art and design route. ... |
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Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : The top 3 aspects of the my design process are crafting, firing and testing. I should perhaps also mention sketching. A lot of the design began with sketching, but this doesn’t apply to all. Sometimes design took place while I play with different materials. Crafting is extremely important through the whole design process, no matter before or after firing.Firing is the key for turning clay into porcelain. It’s the ’must-have’ process. Testing applies to all design. Any new design pieces would be tested in different phases. It could be testing on the new glaze, new firing method, new shapes etc..I don’t use digital tools or do renderings to assist my design at the moment, but I can see the possibilities for computer aided design, which is something I would possibly try in the future. ... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, which emotions do you feel when designing?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Unsure, challenging, satisfied. Most of the design journey is unsure and challenging. Sometimes even could be disappointing. The most exciting moment can be ‘unlock the kiln’(open the kiln). I always look forward to seeing the new born porcelain pieces, but the fire result may not always be successful. Seeing the final finished product is satisfied and pleased. Turing something undesirable (the soft muddy clay) into some beautiful and desirable jewellery brings me the sense of happiness. ... |
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Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Shopping, searching. Shopping definitely benefit my design. Daily life shopping can bring me ideas and inspirations. Also it can keep to up-to-date with the trends.Good searching skill can help me find out solutions. For example searching on new materials, or making methods etc. ... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what is your growth path? what are your future plans? what is your dream design project?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : My growth path so far has been slow and steady. The next step for me would still be developing more good designs for POPORCELAIN. In the future I would like to set up my brand shop and design studio.‘Dream design project’ – cooperate with sophisticated porcelain craftsman and other skilful craftsman – combing the traditional skills to the modern designs. ... |
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Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what are your advice to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Be open-minded, be humble, be concentrated, be cheerful, be patient....
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, you are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Don’t be afraid to try something new, also don’t feel too upset if it failed. ... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what is your day to day look like?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : My workdays usually begin at 7, with simple breakfast and coffee. Then check my emails and social medias. It’s a luxury for me to work from home. My studio is just next to my kitchen. Depends on the work schedule, sometimes I sit in front of the computer to sort out the digital issues, like photo editing, design specifying, emailing or document archiving. But what I enjoy more is to turn my Wi-Fi off then turn the music on and facing my clay or jewellery bits in my studio. I allow myself to have a long lunch break. Usually is an hour or even more than that, because it’s very common I work more than 9 hours a day. A long lunch break can refresh myself. I try not to work too many hours in a day. That is possibly one of my principle for being a good designer – not overworking.... |
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Kay Jiaqi Zhou, how do you keep up with latest design trends? to what extent do design trends matter?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : I would follow up the latest design trends, but I don’t completely stick with them. I would like my jewellery design to be fashionable, but also timeless. Social medias, fashion and design websites, blogs are the best way to look for new trends. Design trends are like the wind that makes the whole industry dynamic. Without wind, the whole atmosphere would be dull and lifeless.... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, how do you know if a product or project is well designed? how do you define good design?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : A well designed product or project should be thoroughly considered during the designing and making process, also the post-consuming process. Is the whole process ‘anti-human or anti-environment’ ? I would judge a design as good design if it’s under a healthy developing process, which should be environmentally friendly, designers and workers friendly. Not abuse using materials. Not over-pressured on designers nor under-valued on workers. ... |
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Kay Jiaqi Zhou, how do you decide if your design is ready?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Every new design piece would be tested before they are launched. Once they can pass the test, they are ready. But there will always be a way to improve them, such as improving the materials or the making technique....
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what is your biggest design work?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Plum Blossom Cluster Necklace is the biggest design work so far. Simply because its a delicate statement piece and it takes a long time to make. ... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, who is your favourite designer?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : This is a difficult question to answer. I favour a lot of designers. If I have to name some favourites, then they are Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. I love their stunning and lovingly handcrafted products. Their design is fashionable, beautiful, detailed, also sometimes a bit playful. If I were given a chance to talk with a single dead designer, I would like to talk to Zaha Hadid, who gave the new definition to walls and floors.... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : I currently live the Denmark, while I come from the very south part of China. I do feel the cultural heritage of my country affects my designs, especially when we are talking about ‘china’! Denmark is like a wonderland for designers. It’s full of design atmosphere in Denmark. The ‘hygge’ cosiness can calm me down and warm me up. ... |
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Kay Jiaqi Zhou, would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : I work alone, although I cooperate with bloggers, videographer and suppliers. When I selecting business partners or hiring people, I look for their personality and capability. I prefer to work with honest, humble and creative people.... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : I am sorry to say I haven’t achieved much philanthropic contributions to society so far, however I will absolutely love to do so in the future. I think artists, designers and architects should involve themselves with humanitarian projects. It could be even more than human being, it could be about animals, plants or environment. ... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Thanks to A’ Design Award, I can see the whole design industry is full of talents and hope. I love to see every designer is trying their best to contribute to the industry and making effect to improve our everyday life. It’s absolutely an honour can be the Designer of the Day. I appreciate this support and encouragement. I will carry on and bring out more good designs. ... |
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Kay Jiaqi Zhou, can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : My company is called ‘POPORCELAIN’. It’s about contemporary handmade porcelain jewellery. Currently locates in Copenhagen, Denmark. I work alone. ...
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what is "design" for you?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : ‘Design’ for me is like an approach which helps me to discover and understand the world.... |
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Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what kinds of works do you like designing most?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Perhaps something light-hearted, fashionable and fun....
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what was the first thing you designed for a company?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : A collection of kids watches full of cute and floral patterns. They were not fancy pieces at all, but I quite enjoyed drawing those kiddie patterns. ... |
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, what is your favourite material / platform / technology?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Porcelain. I feel porcelain is magical and miracle. The more I work with it, the more I appreciate it. ...
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, when do you feel the most creative?
Kay Jiaqi Zhou : Be alone, not under much time pressure....
Kay Jiaqi Zhou, thank you for giving us the opportunity to interview you... To learn more about Kay Jiaqi Zhou and check more designs by Kay Jiaqi Zhou as well as to see more Kay Jiaqi Zhou designs such as Snow White visit designeroftheday.com/?206254 |
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| We hope you enjoyed our interview of Kay Jiaqi Zhou. This interview was made possible by the contributions of A' Design Award and Competition - The World's largest and most influential design accolade. A' Design Award is an annual, international design award open to both concept stage and realized works by designers, artists, architects and brands worldwide. A' Design Award and Competition aims to create a public awareness and understanding of good design by promoting the best designers such as Kay Jiaqi Zhou and their design works worldwide. Visit designaward.com to learn more. |
 REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY:
https://competition.adesignaward.com/designer.php?profile=206254 https://competition.adesignaward.com/design.php?ID=59506
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This article was added on Thursday, 25th of October, 2018 at 04.32 am by author 
