Interview with Nan Zhou
My name is Nan Zhou. The name comes from the earliest anthology of Chinese poem called the “Book of Songs”. I was born in the northernmost province of China, Heilongjiang.
Designer Interview
22 June 2018
It reminds me of one time at a factory when I was a kid, around four years old. I drew a lot of pencil lines on a print of Chairman Mao. I was lucky that I escaped punishment since I was a child. Right at this moment I began to be gain interest in painting and started painting classes at school. But my Chinese painting teacher was too strict, so after the first three lessons I never went back to his class anymore. When I was in fourth grade, my classmate sent me a book on an art series of Zhao Mengtiao's paintings which left me a big impression. Eventually, I decided to become an artist in second year of university, and started a systematic study of oil paintings. I was lucky to have the opportunity to learn about commercial art and design , therefore after graduation I entered the advertising company and within three years became the creative director. In 2003 I became the creative director of the Han Jiaying design company in Beijing for over ten years. After all I set up my own design studio. That's the way it is.
There are many public welfare and cultural fields designs as well as art exhibitions from my design studio. Thereis a hundred years old toon tree at my design studio in Beijing. Right here my life and work rhythm is at a slow pace.
Although design is positioned between art and industry, good design can let different cultural content be felt, and it may also naturally influence people’s appreciation of beauty.
I do not appreciate that much practical part of design, I do appreciate art. There are much more functions in design such as symbols, such as perception, such as feeling, such as mood.
So far, it is still the Chinese calligraphy, especially the art of ancient calligraphers, like the calligraphy of Yan Zhenqing in Tang Dynasty.
I have taken part in a lot of activities to serve the community, many times I have been a volunteer. For many years I have done the Chinese logo and hieroglyphic design for Greenpeace International Organization. Though it seems naive, but at least I’m trying to do my best.
I like to draw with Chinese ink on the bamboo paper.
When I draw, or paint hieroglyphs in my art studio alone.
It is unavoidable to use my knowledge of Chinese culture in the design, and I want to do it better.
My heart is quiet and I feel much fulfilled.
At this time I feel a joy, like a child
There are luck and some laws of nature that make people create a great design.
Good design requires cultural differences. In my opinion, there must be something ancient, something new and something about myself.
One needs to be involved in social and environmental activities. To be active, and using design and your own style of life to change the world. This is also the reason why I am an environmentalist.
Everyone is a designer, everybody designs his own life.
2018, International Design Week in Beijing, “Filled with hieroglyphs” installation art exhibition. My new art exhibition is going to be executed in the second half of this year.
Most of the ideas come from life, some of them come from art, some of them from some sudden ideas that I take a record of to remember. However, I work very slowly and maybe only after a few years, would I put these ideas into action.
Chinese native culture has influenced my own design style a lot. This is reasonable because I actually am a Chinese designer. What is your design method? A combination of Chinese and Western styles; brining elements of the past to the present.
I live in Beijing. Chinese culture has a huge impact on me; it is my background and cultural foundation. There are many opportunities in China, but because of the time requirements and government engagement there are plenty of horrible designs here.
Naturally formed company relationships and good design can make cooperation more enjoyable.
An equal appreciation of beauty is the most important thing. Not only should everyone trust one another, but also make choices from an angle of a friend. This leads to a long lasting cooperation.
It was a big luck to meet such as great design mentor at Han Jiaying company and work together for ten years. I have successfully put knowledge into practice, established my own beauty appreciation and design habits.
Since 2016 until now I’ve been working on “Hieroglyph graffiti” series, I’ve been searching for hieroglyphs and draw them with ink in over than hundred places in Beijing, this job truly makes me put my soul in it. There are many painted hieroglyphs at my home as well.
Have a rest until noon, in the afternoon go to the art studio, in the evening begin to draw or read, also practice traditional Taijiquan. After midnight at two or three o clock start to sleep, that’s how I finish my day.
Good design is a time, is an era, even a part of the local culture. But the mother tongue, high level of appreciation of beauty are the most important. At the very beginning, it is very important for young designers to establish the appreciation of beauty, learn about professional design technology and use of multi materials. At the same time it is better to improve quickly all the three areas of knowledge.
Positive side is that I can always use my imagination. Negative is that I always find myself busy working.
Copy is a death.
Be sensitive to beauty and … make it.
Most of them come from the non-computer generated artificial field. I really care about hands-on abilities and craftsmanship. Mixed use of Oriental and Western painting tools, a large number of works of art, music, books，experiences in life, and habits of the random drawing.
Slow and meticulous work, make design tasks as far as possible in my accustomed time. Others will be rejected.
It usually takes one to two months. But as for “hieroglyphs graffiti” series it took me much longer time, for now its been almost three years and still unfinished.
How to make good design?
The experience of discovering the beauty in everyday life.
At present, some of my favorite customers are WWF World Wild Fund, SEE Alashan public commonweal foundation, Taiwan Dacheng company.
Maybe some that come down to local Chinese culture, they are closer to my own habits.
I am preparing works of art, new installation works, collecting data, and raising funds for my own art exhibition.
Mixed, team and my own developed design.
As for now, “hieroglyphs graffiti” series and works on the art of behaviour are coming out. As well as cooperation with VANCL, series of design T-shirts should be done in the end of summer.
Phone number, e-mail, Wechat, Weibo or just come to my design studio in Beijing at Suoyi Hutong N33.
Its been too many questions for now.