Interview with Qiuyu Li

Qiuyu Li (Alex Li), born in Beijing, China, holds a Ph.D. (Philosophy of Arts, Creative). He pursued his academic career in Japan from undergraduate studies through to his doctoral degree.

Qiuyu Li

Designer of the Day Interview

28 September 2022

I started to want to be a designer from about 2013, first self-taught, then enrolled in the graduate school of Osaka University of Arts, studying while studying design. It wasn't going well from the beginning, but it has grown rapidly since 2019, and now I can already find my own originality and design more smoothly.

I was originally interested in art from an early age, and when I grew up I realized the beauty of design and decided to become a designer.

At first, I think it's a problem consciousness. And I think it is important that the idea for the problem is logically established. On the contrary, I don't think the problem of technique is so important, because the problem of skill etc. will naturally improve if you practice over time.

My design seeks to suppress emotions as much as possible and maximize reason. Of course, we don't eliminate all emotions, we just keep them to the bare minimum.

It is important to have a passion for life. Design ideas exist from everywhere in our lives, and it is extremely important to think about things with an awareness of the problem, rather than simply taking it for granted.

My growth path isn't going well, but fortunately, I've been walking with my family and friends who always support me. I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.

It will be easier for you to grow by using social media, sharing your work, and showing your work to many people.At the same time, please think about what kind of design you want to make without being influenced by the surrounding environment. It is also important to design while predicting the future, not just looking at the present.

I'm not familiar with other countries, but in Japan, especially artists who concentrate on contemporary art, I think their horizons are still narrow. I only know my own world. In order to overcome this problem, I think we should actively communicate with people who are more interested in other fields.

Gathering information is extremely important as a designer, so brew coffee, check the latest news, and watch interesting videos. Then read and study the design profession. I often make works at night.

You're the one who sticks to your personal style. Of course, the client is important, so we have to consider the needs of the other party, but we also think that the individuality of the designer should never be lost. The problem is that it is important to strike a good balance between the two.

I don't think there are any particular rules for this criterion. It depends on the person.I think it is more important to have a design that is suitable for the project than to consider whether it is a good design.

Once you've completed all the goals you're looking for, you're done. I think it should be decided at the discretion of the individual.

This time Utopia City Poster is the biggest design work, and the others are about the visual book currently being produced. It took a lot of time to collect a large amount of materials before making this work.

There are many. The most respected and influenced person is L Lissitzky, and the others are Josef Muller Brockmann. There are many other legendary designers, so I can't count them.

I'm from China, but I've been living in Japan for a long time now. I have lived in Asia for a long time, but I am not particular about Asian culture and try to seek an international culture that is common throughout the world. In his youth, he was influenced by punk rock and has an extremely disliked attitude toward the bad things in the world.

Respecting each other and actively communicating will make it easier to work. In my case, I often design by myself, but I am happy to work with people. Working in a team may push the boundaries of one person and create even better designs.

I think designers are responsible for guiding the trends of the times. To give a very simple example, Coco Chanel's fashion design changes the perception of women's clothing. In short, it can be said that design has the power to change the culture and perception of the times.

It is very effective for testing your own ability, and you can inform many people about your work, and you will feel a sense of accomplishment through participating.

Interview about Hearing Extraordinary Dream Logo Design Interview

Interview about Utopian City Poster Design Interview

Design Legend Interview

17 May 2024

I was born in Beijing, China in 1992, arrived in Japan in 2013. After obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Information Science, he pursued his research in design under the guidance of Prof. Yoshimaru Takahashi, In 2024, obtained a Doctorate in Fine Arts. That same year, joined TOMBO Inc., a design firm based in Osaka. With a strong interest in the design principles of 20th-century constructivism, Alex aims to revitalize traditional constructivism by incorporating East Asian aesthetics and exploring new possibilities. My experimental results have garnered numerous awards both domestically and internationally.A member of prestigious organizations such as the World Design Consortium (WDC), International Association of Designers (IAD), International Design Club (IDC), and Alliance of International Business Associations (AIBA), Alex actively engages in these communities, contributing to their missions and initiatives.

From a young age, I am deeply interested in art, which led to his education in art, and as I grow up, I awakened my unique sense of beauty, which led me to enter an art university and to the idea of becoming a designer. I think it is possible to be influenced by the environment around you.

I am not forced to, I chose the path of design. I have a feeling of admiration for El Lissitzky, which is probably one of the reasons why I choose the path of design. Also, my parents support my decision, so I ended up choosing the path of design.

Typography production is overwhelmingly large. The influence of modern typography in the 1920s is strong, and I am exploring new possibilities of typography by rediscovering from a modern standpoint based on history.

My career to date has not been easy. I have endured quite a lot of stress, and finally now I have a few achievements to show for it. And according to my experience, you must first have a strong belief in design. Strong perseverance and hard work that you accumulate day by day. I have been called a genius sometimes, but I know properly that I actually pay many times more effort than others.

First of all, a design work has a life, and if we consider it with a personality, the difference between each design work will be the difference between the designers. The difference between each design work is the difference between the designer and the work itself, because the designer's worldview, personality, and all other aspects of the design work are injected into the design work.

Design is not simply a matter of good or bad. The design can be said to be a good design if you take advantage of the appropriate functions. Also, a design that clearly conveys the author's intentions and has an impact on the world is a good design. Basically, the judgment criteria depend on the person.

We believe that design, as something that plays a role in society, can also help develop culture. This is considered the value of design. We believe that investing in design is the same as investing in cultural development projects.

If you have time, it is recommended to make a poster about your favorite music, this is one design training, while honing your sensitivity, the sound source can help you improve your information organization skills by converting visual information, and also train your design expression skills.

I would like to complete my own visual book and publish it for many people to see. Currently this is being produced little by little. I want to complete it as soon as possible.

Perhaps the best trick is for him to make the effort. Besides, the other one is the study of culture is just as important as the effort. Studying the liberal arts can improve one's ability to think and broaden one's horizons. Most design ideas are found in general education.

My designs are influenced by the work of El Lissitzky, a representative of the Russian avant-garde, the Bauhaus and Frankfurt School, the new typography of Jan Tschichold, and the Swiss designer Josef Müller Brockman. As pillars of design, we consider these theories to be of significant referential value to the development of design.

I feel that there are many people around me who do typography of Chinese characters, but this is probably the cause of the environment in which I was born and raised.

There is no particular best work. Because the next new work will definitely be better than the previous one. In other words, my latest work is the best design.

Designers are, in a sense, similar to researchers. The most basic skill is the ability to think. Design requires analysis and theory building, so advanced thinking skills are essential. A wide range of knowledge is necessary to develop thinking skills. It is also very important with regard to culture, especially a high level of aesthetics.

If I hadn't become a designer, I'd probably be in a rock band. I grew up listening to rock music in my youth, so the influence of rock music on my personality is still strong. I also like to cook, so maybe I will become a chef, like Gordon Ramsay.

We believe that design is a work of art with some practical utility, a method of communication between people, and a bridge that connects one era to the next as a marker of the culture of an era.

My mother is the most supportive and understanding. In my father's case, he also supports and understands me. The understanding of my family is really the most helpful. The road to becoming a good designer is never easy, and if people don't understand you, it creates extra stress and could break your faith. Fortunately I have a good family.

I think it's the family that has been so supportive and cooperative. Another one would be that sturdy old Mac book of mine, I have already changed my new Mac book now, but I have a lot of gratitude for that old Mac book.

My living situation and also my social environment are affected. It is also quite hard to have people around you who don't understand you. These disorders are mostly psychological, but sometimes I think that psychological disorders are not half as destructive as they seem, and we should be careful.

I don't think it needs to be over presented, especially if it is a graphic design work. If a hint is absolutely necessary, I think it is sufficient to present the background and intention of the production.

In the future, I plan to take more interest in cultures related to Asia and produce a visual book on unique Asian customs. The book will be based on 72 Season conditions related to weather phenomena and agricultural life in Asia. Through typography, I intend to create images of various weather phenomena and landscapes of agricultural life.

I think it is my goal that my work will have some impact on the world. Perhaps most designers would agree.

Design plays a role against creating a new culture in society and at the same time, there is a need for a proper perception of design from society and the environment. It is very irresponsible for designers to be lightly perceived as just a painter, and this is not good for the development of design, nor for the development of culture.

For me, design is a means of communication, like language, and countries of different cultures can be connected through design. The other is to provide some convenience to actual social life and to form some social culture, and I think these are the roles of design.

A visual book on 72 Season is in the works. It is a very time-consuming production. And before I can make it, I have to look up some knowledge about the customs, so that I have some understanding of them, which will help me in the production. When it is all done, it will be a visual book. At the same time, posters for the exhibition are being made at the same time.

I am personally interested in design projects such as visual books, series posters, etc. on some culture or history. Most of these design projects are generally exhibition oriented.

Regarding the current topic of NFT, I predict that blockchain technology can be utilized in many situations in the future. At that time, we believe that the relationship with design should be focused on.

So far, the most common designs have been those that fulfill a social role, but I believe that this trend will continue, while design works related to cultural aspects will appear more and more. At that time, the line between art and design will become even more blurred.

Depending on the size of the job, if the project is small enough and we have a good meeting, we can finish everything, including revisions, in less than a week. Larger projects require more time. However, client meetings usually take longer than expected, and therefore the completion time will be longer than expected.

You should start by gathering relevant information, understanding the intent of the project, and setting the direction of production.

We are aware that we are creating the culture of the next generation, and it is the mission of designers to create means of communication that transcend time and space.

Given that design has a role in creating culture, I think design sets trends. But in some cases, sometimes trends are influenced by trends, especially young designers.

The connection between science and technology is crucial to contemporary design development. In the case of graphic design, color science and basic formative principles are the result of the application of science and technology. In short, it is the role of design to reflect technology.

I have always used Adobe Illustrator and recently tried Affinity Designer as well. The operation is mostly similar, but there are a lot of things that I am not used to, and once you get used to it, it is an easy to use software.

The use of color can make a product stand out by creating clarity as well as changing the mood of the design, and in certain cases, say, the application of color psychology, the use of color can affect the functionality of the design. Materials and environment are similar in this regard.

I want you to understand my production intention in my design, because my production intention includes the message I want to send out, not only technical matters such as the method of expression. Usually I often send messages about culture. I want to evoke the importance of a culture through my designs.

First of all, it is a pleasure to be interesting. After that, we pay attention to the artist's intention in creating the work, and consider from what perspective the artist created the work, what techniques were used, and how it would be best expressed if we were to create it ourselves.

The personality and values to be desired are those of a partner similar to yourself. Because we can easily empathize with each other, communication costs are lower and communication is smoother.

The influence of El Lissitzky, a representative of constructivism, is strongest. His method of expression, which draws out new possibilities of form by adding new value to elements and imagining space and movement, has had a great influence on my typography.

Affected. I was influenced by Chichold's book Asymmetric Typography. I think this book is the foundation of modern typography. Not all of the theories are valid, but by understanding the essence of the theories in depth, I believe that my design skills will grow even more.

I think we will learn through years of design work, that is, through countless experiments ventilated. At the same time, always be thinking about design theory. After a few years of this, you should be a master designer.

If possible, I would like to meet with Lissitzky. We might collaborate. It would be interesting to discuss the future possibilities of constructivist figurative expression.

I am very proud of the awards I have received so far, and they are important evidence of my recognition of my abilities. It is a really important experience for me to realize my own growth through winning awards.

I like the contrasting color scheme. In terms of specific colors, I might like red. I didn't have a specific favorite place, but I like quiet places. I like spring and summer, but the most motivating time was fall. I don't have any particular likes or dislikes when it comes to food, and I think I like most foods.

Failed experiences are more important than you think. When I first designed it, it was not accepted for a long time. I thought about giving up at that time. But I didn't give up, and after only two years of creating more design works than others, I finally reached a turning point.

To create good design work, some stimulation is necessary. For that stimulation, looking at the work of one's peers can be very effective. So every day I always admire the work of other designers and analyze their production intentions. I learn a lot from that.

When I was a child, designing as I do now was completely unexpected. Sure, I was educated about art at a very young age, but I still didn't have a clear goal in mind, so I had no idea what I was going to do.

We can't think about what will happen thousands of years from now, but it is important to properly complete what we can now. Nevertheless, since the development of design is deeply related to the technological aspect, we can expect that the methods of expression will be richer than they are today as a result of technological progress.

I would like to let you know the origin and historical background of the formative philosophy of my design. I would be grateful if my design work could serve an educational role by motivating people to study the history of design.

Designer Interview

17 May 2024

It is important for art to express one's feelings and emotions in some form, and it does not have to be completely understood by people. On the contrary, it is important for design to make people understand and convey the intention. However, looking at history, we must not deny that art and design are deeply connected. In short, even if you design, you should have some interest in art.

TOMBO Inc. is a design firm based in Osaka. We are a team of nine dedicated members, and we also have an office in Tokyo. At TOMBO Inc., we strive for high-quality design, offering the best proposals and friendly service to our clients. Our office environment is homey and vibrant, characterized by a lively and energetic team. Each member brings their unique strengths to the table, working together as a cohesive unit to tackle projects. TOMBO Inc. is committed to realizing our clients' visions, using the power of design to create both emotion and value. With our passion and creativity, we deliver designs that exceed expectations.

For me, there are two aspects to design. One aspect, design is a means of communication, like language, and through design you can convey your thoughts to the world. Another aspect is that design is a social role

I like modern typography in the 1920s. More specifically, I like the simple, clear design. The reason is that visual elements are information, and excessive use of visual elements can create extra stress and obscure important information that conveys the design. That's why I like simple modern designs.

I like designs that are simple and clear in intent.
I would have liked a design that was visually stimulating. But I don't really approve of works that excessively appeal to my personal tastes. For example, designing a color scheme by simply choosing colors based on personal likes and dislikes may disrupt the equilibrium necessary for the design.

We designed a character logo for a sushi restaurant. Based on the initial proposal and incorporating the client's feedback, I made improvements to create a cuter logo that perfectly aligns with the brand's ambiance. I am proud to have delivered a design that has delighted our client.

Utilizing geometric elements tends to result in a distinct design. In addition, letter and string forms can serve the same value and function as geometric elements.

In general, good ideas are more likely to be generated at night. At night, people have more time to themselves, so they can concentrate more easily, and when people are concentrated, they can think objectively and deeply about things, which is the basic condition for generating the best ideas at that time.

Most importantly, we must consider the client's requirements first. After satisfying this requirement, the designer's originality may be fulfilled to the extent appropriate. It must be in equilibrium.

When I design, I always consider the harmony between individual elements from an analytical point of view. I strive to convey the message I want to convey as clearly as possible.

When I complete a design, I feel very satisfied and relieved, but after a while, I feel empty and start thinking about making an even better design. It feels exhausting, but in this way you will probably move up and up in your design skills.

I think it is important to actively communicate to the world that the design is a success, not just individual efforts. By showing your design to many people, you will hear advice from various perspectives, and this is important advice that will help you improve your design.

From my point of view, the design work is first judged on whether it clearly conveys the author's intent, and then the overall visual quality. For example, the elements used in a design have absolutely no meaning to the function of the design, and I will not approve a design that is abused simply because of personal likes and dislikes.

From the perspective of design history, design is deeply connected and interacts with the development of art. Therefore, we expect that future developments will develop in this manner.

I participated in an exhibition held at the Heiwa Paper Gallery in Osaka. This exhibition was organized by the Japan Typography Association and brought together various creators. My exhibit was a poster commemorating Helvetica. Through this design, I aimed to celebrate and express the history and charm of Helvetica, a symbol of typography. The poster received positive feedback from visitors, and the exhibition allowed us to share the allure of design with many people.

My design always discovered fascinate structures among them, and based on these structures, It will explore new possibilities for typography through the composition of letters and architectural structures. With an awareness of space, It aims for a more expansive diversity of typographic expression and a modern typography that is appropriate for today's aesthetics.

I'm from Beijing, China, and now I live in Osaka, Japan. Asians are influenced by their unique sense of writing. My design aims to be completely international, excluding the concept of nations, so no matter where I live, I first focus on what countries have in common. I think that although there are different cultures, if you look closely, you will find that there are many similarities between human beings.

Until now, most of the time, exhibitions and events have been the first opportunity to connect with companies and collaborate on projects. There are also connections through social media, but there are few substantive projects.

In general, companies often choose designers who fit their own philosophy. Also, award-winning designers are often chosen. Designers who actively disseminate their design work are also often chosen.

I will fully understand the client's requirements, think of ideas based on them, make experimental prototypes and plans, discuss with the client, and if there is an agreement, I will work on the final product.

1. Lissitzky's book "For Voice". 2. Favorite Moka express. 3. Perfume Package. 4. A' Design Award trophy
5. Wooden tableware

My life is like building a kingdom, from a person with nothing, meeting a partner, going through countless competitions, losing some, but getting back up there, trying again and getting stronger. I am building my kingdom.

Don't hesitate to make a lot of designs, and then you should show your work to many people and send it out to the world, giving you confidence. You will get a lot of opportunities and contacts by being active. This is a great advantage for young designers.

In general, it is considered crippling for designers to have to consider the client as their first priority and not be able to live their lives in their own way. However, if one deeply understands the essence of design, this concern disappears, and one can feel a very strong sense of accomplishment in being closely connected to society. This is one of the positive aspects of becoming a designer.

In my opinion, the surest way to improve one's design skills is to look at and analyze a lot of excellent design work, to understand the author's intentions and theories, and to create a lot of work at the same time.

I think a good way to manage time more efficiently is to create a planning chart. However, since the planning chart is a method that assumes intensive work, I think that time outside of intensive work should also be utilized. For example, we can use the time on the train to think of ideas or design directions.

I am often asked, "Do you paint?" This depends on the environment, but where I am from, I feel like I don't understand design properly. I think this is a problem with the local education system. Therefore, I think we need to make more efforts to spread design knowledge and design culture in the future.

For me, the most important experience is not particularly important. Because all work experiences are important to me.

Most of my clients are company representatives that I have met at trade shows and events. By meeting them in person, they learn about my design philosophy and design skills, and then I have the opportunity to collaborate with them.

I like sophisticated, clear designs best, but I also very much like designs that are visually stimulating. But just because a design is visually stimulating doesn't mean it is unintentional.

I have been designing alone for a while now, but I am also looking for compatible partners and teams on a daily basis.

I will always be in touch via social media and email. We may discuss things in person if necessary. Sometimes we talk via video call if we can't meet.

As a designer, health care is also very important. Healthy eating, drinking, and rhythm of life can have a positive impact on your design work by keeping you in a positive mood at all times.

Interview about Hearing Extraordinary Dream Logo Grand Interview

Interview about Utopian City Poster Grand Interview

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Interview with Qiuyu Li

Designer of the Day Interview

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

How did you become a designer?

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

What is your day to day look like?

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

How do you decide if your design is ready?

What is your biggest design work?

Who is your favourite designer?

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A' Design Award?

Design Legend Interview

Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?

What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?

How do you define design, what is design for you?

Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

What helped you to become a great designer?

What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

How do you think designers should present their work?

What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

How does design help create a better society?

What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

When you have a new design project, where do you start?

What is your life motto as a designer?

Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

What is the role of technology when you design?

What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

What do you wish people to ask about your design?

When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

Designer Interview

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

What is "design" for you?

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

When do you feel the most creative?