Interview
China
Yan Chen is an esteemed expert in architectural creative design. She earned her bachelor's degree from the prestigious Chongqing University of Architecture and a master's from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK. Her education has honed her professional skills and fueled her passion for creative design.
1 Please provide us a brief bio of yourself.
My name is Chen Yan and I am an outstanding architectural creative design expert in the industry. I am proud to have a bachelor's degree in architecture from Chongqing University of Architecture, a famous architectural university, and a master's degree from Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom. I have mastered solid professional skills and cultivated a passion for creative design. After graduation, I had the honor to participate in the national-level project of the National Grand Theater of China and served as the team leader of the decoration design. Later, as the main architect, I joined OCT Group and was responsible for the design of the Beijing Happy Valley Project. I served as an executive at Wanda Group at the ninth level. I have presided over many large-scale projects including Wanda Xishuangbanna International Tourist Resort, and was invited to serve as the vice president of Dongguan Hengtai Technology Group.These experiences have provided me with valuable opportunities to cooperate with well-known multinational companies and work side by side with top talents in the industry on various major projects.
2 What inspired you to pursue innovation in your field?
Influenced by my family, my parents in my family were engaged in the construction industry. They guided and supported me in choosing the architectural design industry, and have been firmly supporting and encouraging me since I entered the industry; I was lucky from the day I stepped into the university.I feel very happy to study and engage in this industry. Every project is completed, I can gain satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment, which makes me love this career more and more.I am also very lucky. After graduation, I caught up with the 20 years of China's reform and opening-up, vigorous construction, and rapid urbanization. I personally participated in and presided over many major projects. Together with men, I enjoy equal employment and recognized abilities. What I do is meaningful and valuable to society and respected, and I am happy to dedicate my knowledge and experience. The process of each project is difficult, but the results are full of gains; my understanding and pursuit of design as a profession is driven by passion, goals, and the desire to have a meaningful impact.The creative field allows me to transform my interests, skills, and imagination into tangible forms of expression.It provides me with the opportunity to solve problems, exchange ideas, and arouse emotions through visual means.Let me choose to become creative with my sincere love for an fulfilling and purposeful career.Creating the design world and contributing to design brings me happiness, and I am grateful for the path I chose.
3 Please tell us more about your organization.
I used to work for OCT Group, China's largest theme park company, and used creative design of Happy Valley series products to bring travel fun to Chinese families. As China's largest commercial complex developer and operator, Wanda Group's commercial creative design products are also industry-leading.;
4 What does “Innovation” mean to you?
For me, innovative design means meeting customer needs and using a combination of creativity, research, aesthetics, function and emotion.This is a comprehensive coordination of all aspects and a paradise for creators. It not only creates spatial imagination, but also expresses more activities, scenes, and lifestyles.;
5 Can you briefly describe your innovation and its impact?
I like innovative design the most, always leading the fashion trend, breaking the past experience, giving customers more new ideas and new experiences, different feelings, and making products full of vitality and life continuity; especially in architecture and scene design, the design should resonate with the customer's requirements or spirit.Although trends come and go, innovative designs that impress customers can stand the test of time.
6 How did you come up with the idea that led to your award-winning innovation?
“Good" design puts customer needs first, and the design form and function are seamlessly combined.It should resonate on an emotional level, evoke a sense of belonging and comfort, while achieving its intended purpose in an elegant and efficient way.
7 What challenges did you face during the innovation process, and how did you overcome them?
My design process essentially combines the project investment budget, combined with market research, and customized products for target customers. It cooperates with various professional sectors throughout the process, first of all, to gain an in-depth understanding of the customer's vision and needs.On this basis, we create scenes, theme culture and theme stories, and creative theme IP, so that customers can envision the final space boiling and moving.Continuous feedback loops and on-site visits ensure that the design develops organically, combining our expertise with customer preferences.This iterative approach ensures that the final product is both innovative and personalized.
8 Congratulations! How does winning this award affect your future goals and aspirations?
My design style advocates the primacy of experience, embracing and accepting fresh trends, a sense of science and technology, innovation, the combination of multicultural elements, and celebrating cultural IP innovation.I draw inspiration from the palette of natural materials, emphasizing the level of impact and touch, in order to create a space that is both innovative and unlimited experience.I got rid of the trend of clichés and tended to blend classic elements with modern technology.This is a playful and experimental dance of contrast-the juxtaposition of primitive and exquisite, classic and modern, creating a narrative that is both bold and practical.
9 Who or what has been your biggest source of support throughout your innovation journey?
Yes it is!The source of my design is Chinese culture!It is broad and profound, and all kinds of history, characters, legends, regional cultures and symbols have given me a unique source of design creativity.The inheritance and excavation of our country's culture can not only enrich my design but also emphasize its unique cultural charm.In contrast, Western practices tend to focus on innovation and western style, as well as scientific and technological innovation.By integrating the advantages of east and west cultures, I can create a technological space that is both eternal and avant-garde and innovative.
10 How do you think your innovation will shape the future of your industry?
We have gone through many rounds of repeated scrutiny, repeated revisions, and comprehensive selection of this project plan, because it breaks through the common techniques and thinking of space design, boldly adopts internationally leading technologies and methods, and combines ancient Chinese culture. It is indeed unique in the world.The space is conceptualized to be able to adapt and develop.From ordinary spaces to popular science entertainment venues, its transformative nature enables it to provide countless technological entertainment experiences in a single space. Our goal is not only aesthetic novelty and beauty, but also to collect insights to continuously improve the customer experience.The project embodies innovation, functionality and adaptability, making it a suitable entry for the TITAN Design Award.
11 What advice would you give to aspiring innovators looking to make a difference?
Continuous development-design will never stand still.It reflects the national and regional culture, experiences the spirit of the times, and ensures that we, as architectural creative designers, continue to learn and develop. The power of change-in different markets, well-designed spaces can enhance, stimulate and change the user experience. Collaboration-cooperation with different owners, builders, and other design companies can achieve the perfect integration of ideas and perspectives.
12 How did you manage to stay motivated and focused during the innovation process?
The future of architectural interior space design lies in sustainable, adaptive and inclusive spaces.As we become more aware of our environmental footprint, sustainable development and technological innovation, cultural innovation will dominate. In addition, the space will be more cultural, meet a variety of functions, reflect our vibrant lifestyle, and at the same time express different cultures, popular science education, make the design more dynamic, and ensure that every user has a sense of experience.
13 What impact do you hope your innovation will have on people's lives or the world?
Be curious and never stop learning.Our industry thrives on innovation, so please keep in touch with new ideas, cultures and technologies.Find your unique voice and be faithful to it; authenticity resonates more than imitation.
14 What are the key skills or qualities that you believe contribute to successful innovation?
In my early days as a designer, I often criticized my decisions afterwards, fearing that they did not conform to fashion trends.Over time, I realized the power of authenticity and how a space that truly reflects its residents resonates deeper than trend-driven design.
15 Where do you see the evolution of innovation in your industry going over the next 5-10 years?
Creativity is not limited to the field of artists.In fact, anyone can experience a moment of extraordinary inspiration at any given time, becoming fertile ground for creativity to flourish.
16 What message would you like to convey to others who may be inspired by your achievements?
Design comes from life. We embrace life with a happy and positive attitude, discover culture, discover beauty, and then use our pens to express and record. Every architectural space has a story waiting to be told; our job is to weave this story beautifully.Be loyal to your vision, continue to develop, and always prioritize the needs and wishes of customers.Creativity is not limited to the field of artists.In fact, anyone can experience a moment of extraordinary inspiration at any given time, becoming fertile ground for creativity to flourish.
17 Which THREE (3) Individuals / Organizations would you nominate to participate in the TITAN Innovation Awards?
Let me think about it
Category
Innovation in Design - Interior Design
Country / Region
China