Interview with Johnny Jiasheng Chen
Johnny Jiasheng Chen is a Los Angeles-based designer/artist. He is recognized for his innovative and cross-disciplinary practices in design and art.
Design Legend Interview
3 October 2025
A Taiwan-born, Los Angeles-based industrial / product designer. I trained as an industrial and graphic designer, earning a BFA in Product Design from Ming Chuan University (2017), gaining Master’s-level research experience in Industrial Design from Taiwan Tech (2018), and completing a Master of Design degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2022).
My goal is to dedicate my creations to society, nature, the environment, and human interactions, providing an innovative and alternative perspective on our current stage. The designs/ arts can remind us that there are always different alternatives, solutions, and perspectives when navigating the constantly changing world. For me, designers are “Dreammakers” who reflect on the past, comprehend the present, and envision the future, those who balance dreams and reality. Be able to create things that are beautiful, innovative, and benefit humanity. It is like a superpower that motivates me.
I believe that only when you genuinely enjoy something can you excel at it. Being a designer is one of the best choices I made, and I am really good at it.
Speculative design and conceptual design are my favorites. The works that no one had previously imagined or created. Currently, in lighting design, I focus on creating designs that incorporate technology.
Understand and learn what kind of design skills you excel at, focus on them, expand your expertise, be active, and put them into practice.
The willingness to do extra work outside of your career, do you care about the design community? Are you willing to put yourself out there, showcasing new designs or new ideas?
Creativity, Usability, Aesthetic Quality, Innovation, Execution, etc.
A good design is a good system. It benefits everything, from appearance and user experience to materials, sustainability, and business model, among others. Good design is what everyone wants.
Innovative design or speculative design, for companies or concept design competitions.
A design that reflects a social issue, which can turn into a whole interactive exhibition.
Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan
Charles and Ray Eames’ Eames Molded Plywood Chairs, it was an excellent example of how new technology meets aesthetics. It is how design should work.
“Plan B” it is a design system across digital and physical products that can track different environmental elements to help people understand their surroundings. It is a project that addresses environmental issues in an innovative and alternative approach.
Research, reach out, and be active.
I will be a biologist.
It is a tool and method that improves things in all aspects. Design is in everything for me.
My family inspired me when I was young and supported me in exploring my career internationally.
Seeking the essence of design
Figuring out the goals to move forward, balancing between the practical and artistic aspects of oneself, and understanding how the design industry operates.
With thorough research, a well-crafted presentation, stunning images, detailed prototypes, and good language skills.
Forenext Design Studio will remain focused on objects with unique insights, providing a refreshing alternative to existing items or brand-new products.
Develop a design philosophy and create meaningful designs that benefit humanity and promote sustainability.
From my point of view, keep generating new designs and make more noise.
Design is an element that can be applied to every aspect of life, from the materials used for daily objects to the services we receive from digital devices, and even the architectural structures. It is everywhere; it just depends on how people integrate it.
Conducting innovation research while figuring out an idea can be effective.
Project “Wooden Glass” was a project with a large amount of research and experimentation, and the outcome was great. It won awards, and people recognized the piece.
Looking forward to the AI industry bringing back a new wave of physical product design boom.
It is awaiting the development of the AI industry and looks forward to a new era.
The duration of the project depends on its depth and required development stage, ranging from one to six months.
Every designed object is a convex ideological mirror, amplifying the minds and practices of its creators.
It works both ways. However, this is an era of individuality, and trends and designs may not be easy to predict.
Technology is a fundamental element in all my designs.
Industrial design software, such as Rhino, SolidWorks, and Creo, as well as 2D design tools, are essential, along with sketching and digital ideation.
With my experience as a graphic designer, commercial product designer, and lighting designer, these elements, along with many others, are fundamental. They are necessary considerations for every design.
I want them to ask why it is so unique and discuss its meaning and purpose.
Why the form factors? Why the materials? What’s the technology? What’s the purpose?
I have a great team of people, each with a different background. I am 100% a teamworker. I believe that working with a team can take you to a higher level.
My professor is at my grad school and university.
“Design for A Better World” by Don Norman. It provides various points on how we should rethink the existing system.
I have taught myself various skills in multiple design fields and engaged in numerous design-related projects, both at work and outside of work. Design is not only about acquiring a wide range of skills, but also about applying them in the real world.
I would like to discuss humanity and human nature with great philosophers from history.
Yes, it is hard. However, the reason I received achievements is solely based on the process, goals, and effort I put into creating a design that I think is suitable for humans. It is not the other way around; I suppose getting famous does not guarantee you can make good designs. The more you want something, the harder it becomes.
Silver, lakes in the mountains, Asian food, Fall, sculpture, and Apple.
There were always times when we spent a lot of time elevating unnecessary objects, making them polished, high-tech, and luxurious. But in the end, we realized it was totally not going to work, such as a high-tech toilet that can collect poop samples and analyze them.
When I encounter a project that I enjoy and focus on intensely, I often lose track of time. I set up goals and push myself to finish them.
Yes, it was. From my father, my growing environment, and my interest in art and design. I made up my mind clearly to be an industrial designer in high school.
Hope is what I think about the future. I believe our society will continue to grow and become increasingly advanced. Like those sci-fi movies but better, because humans are good at solving problems, and we will eventually create an equal and sustainable world.
Keep moving forward, try to do something innovative every day, and stay hybrid.
Designer Interview
5 July 2025
I am Johnny Jiasheng Chen, a Taiwan-born, Los Angeles-based industrial / product designer. I trained as an industrial and graphic designer with a BFA in Product Design from Ming Chuan University (2017), Master’s level research experience in Industrial Design from Taiwan Tech (2018), and a Master of Design degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (2022). As a designer with a diverse background working in a foreign country, it fostered my unique insight. The cultural differences and my experience growing up in a rural area enrich the design influences during my career, such as tackling a problem in a specific community or understanding the relationship between different species. These experiences have given me the passion to find the essence of everything we have created.
My goal is to dedicate my creations to society, nature, the environment, human interactions, etc, providing an innovative and alternative point of view when reflecting on our present stage. The designs/ arts that can remind us that there are always different alternatives, solutions, and perspectives when navigating the constantly changing world.
My goal is to dedicate my creations to society, nature, the environment, human interactions, etc, providing an innovative and alternative point of view when reflecting on our present stage. The designs/ arts that can remind us that there are always different alternatives, solutions, and perspectives when navigating the constantly changing world.
Forenext is an innovative design studio focusing on creating new experiences and providing creative solutions via different design media. We conduct projects from cultural & creative design to visionary avant-garde design. Generating new perspectives and thinking of unique alternatives are our design goals.
“For me, every designed object is a convex ideological mirror, amplifying its creators’ minds and practices.” I believe every man-made object that exists in the world has its purpose, and it reflects the intention of its creator. And only by identifying the intention of a design can one truly understand the value of an object. For me, design is a form of lifestyle an individual chooses, which interweaves into every part of our lives. It is more than just an object or medium. Eventually, it becomes our way of thinking and how we view the surroundings.
Speculative design and conceptual design are my favorites. The works that no one had previously imagined or created.
I like our previous project Plan B. Plan B. is a design system concept across digital and physical products that track different environmental elements to help people understand their surroundings. The design itself reflects the current difficulties humankind is facing, while offering an alternative perspective on how we should review and respond to the climate change challenge.
An innovative folding laptop
3D printing, CNC machining, wood working…
When I gather enough data and focus on solving problems.
If it is reasonable, achievable, practical, or not
Calm, focus, consistent.
Happy, a sense of achievement, exciting
There are too many variations and factors to consider. It is case-by-case.
The approach people took, the research they conducted, and the results they created.
Being innovative and visionary. Develop better products or alternatives that address current social or environmental issues.
Design field is at a turning point, which is developing faster toward the digital aspect and application, while the physical aspect is growing more slowly in recent years.
From my perspective, the Future of design depends on the balance of digital and physical technology breakthroughs, such as new materials, manufacturing methods, and global supply chain management, as well as their integration with AI technology.
From my perspective, the Future of design depends on the balance of digital and physical technology breakthroughs, such as new materials, manufacturing methods, and global supply chain management, as well as their integration with AI technology.
05/2024 ARCOLisboa Art Fair with Al-Tiba9. We are still planning for the year 2026
Everyday objects, art and history museums, and architecture.
My inspirations always come from the background research and the question that I want to solve.
My inspirations always come from the background research and the question that I want to solve.
Modern and transitional
Modern and minimal design can be timeless and celebrate the pure form, but I also appreciate decorative designs, as their intricate forms provide a sense of disclosure, much like a story.
The approach will depend on the project's content.
Modern and minimal design can be timeless and celebrate the pure form, but I also appreciate decorative designs, as their intricate forms provide a sense of disclosure, much like a story.
The approach will depend on the project's content.
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Cultural heritage has a significant impact on me. Due to my different background, I am more aware of cultural differences and have had opportunities to explore them further. Design is vital for its image and semantics, and it varies in multiple cultures. Sometimes it will be limited while considering too much.
Cultural heritage has a significant impact on me. Due to my different background, I am more aware of cultural differences and have had opportunities to explore them further. Design is vital for its image and semantics, and it varies in multiple cultures. Sometimes it will be limited while considering too much.
I own a design studio while working in a company.
Carefully identify what kind of designer you need. Understand what both sides can offer to each other.
Good portfolio, good reputation, willingness to learn
Good portfolio, good reputation, willingness to learn
Research
Define
Ideate
Protoype
Fine model
Test
Production
Define
Ideate
Protoype
Fine model
Test
Production
Wallet
Phone stand
Light
Water bottle
Breakfast cooker
Phone stand
Light
Water bottle
Breakfast cooker
Sleep, breakfast, work, lunch, work, exercise, dinner, relax, sleep
Be smart, make good decisions, and don’t give up
Positives:
Being able to create innovative and pretty objects is satisfying, and it is a rare and unique skill. Should feel proud and achieve.
Negatives:
It is a dark time for designers. Have to work smart instead of mindlessly working hard.
Being able to create innovative and pretty objects is satisfying, and it is a rare and unique skill. Should feel proud and achieve.
Negatives:
It is a dark time for designers. Have to work smart instead of mindlessly working hard.
Make sure to understand the background before forming any judgments.
Ipad pro. Rhino, Solidwork, Illustrator, C4D, Keyshot
Multitasking, stop and work on something else when you feel stuck.
It depends on whether the research results are clear and easy to tackle or not. It can take anywhere from one to three months to have a physical prototype.
Do you like what you design?
Compal Electronics, industrial designer
ASUS, DELL, HP, APPLE, SAMSUNG, ACER
Creative, decorative, and home-related.
I enjoy thinking about conceptual objects and creating items that no one has imagined before.
I enjoy thinking about conceptual objects and creating items that no one has imagined before.
Accumulate more experience, attend more competitions, and exhibitions.
Apply for a design competition judge.
Apply for a design competition judge.
I do both settings as a team and individually.
We are developing a home-related project that can add a better accent to the home, while also being practical.
designfornext@gmail.com
Interview about Syn Universal Calendar Grand Interview