INTERVIEW WITH LIU YONGQIAN
Tell us about the inspiration behind your project:
One of the design inspirations is derived from the Daoist philosophy in ancient China, specifically drawing from Laozi’s “Tao Te Ching”, in which he proposed the concept: “The Two gives birth to One. One gives birth to Two. Two gives birth to Three. Three gives birth to all things.” The mentioned “One,” “Two,” and “Three” primarily expound Laozi’s theory of the universe’s creation, illustrating a progression from the simplicity to the complexity, leading to the emergence of all things in existence. Secondly, the inspiration involves abstracting concepts from natural phenomena and embracing a minimalist approach.
What do you think makes leather a great material to design with?
I believe the key factors that make leather an excellent design material are:
In summary, leather, as a design material, not only offers visual appeal but also possesses durability, versatility, and traditional value. These characteristics collectively make it one of the preferred choices for designers.
What has been your experience in working with leather for this competition?
Firstly, understanding the characteristics of leather is crucial. In the design process, it’s essential to comprehend various types of leather and their attributes. Different leather materials possess distinct textures, colors, elasticity, and other features. Choosing the appropriate type of leather allows for better adaptation to design requirements. Secondly, combining leather with other materials is important. Leather can be integrated with materials such as fabrics, metals, woods, etc., to create diversified and layered design effects. Lastly, attention to detail is paramount. The quality and appearance of leather products heavily rely on meticulous detailing. Ensuring that the design encompasses thoughtful and precise considerations in aspects like stitching, decoration, and edge treatment is imperative.
How do you think winning this competition will impact your career as a designer?
Strengthening one’s design concept with greater determination, continually refining design outcomes, and delving deeper into the genuine essence of sustainable design.
What are your thoughts on leather and sustainability, and how you think leather can adapt to a fashion industry increasingly focused on sustainability?
From a sustainability perspective, I think it can be divided into two aspects. The first aspect pertains to the sustainability of raw materials, aiming to achieve true pollution-free and environmentally friendly practices, realizing a cradle-to-cradle approach. The second aspect involves a level of consciousness in usage or experiential sustainability. It encompasses a well-thought-out design process that designers consider for user utilization, such as reusability and emotionally engaging design.
How has this competition influenced your view of working with leather in the future?
This competition has inspired me to have greater faith in immersing myself into future leather material research. Furthermore, I intend to delve even deeper into the true essence of sustainable design, practicing sustainability and contributing my modest efforts to the green cause for humanity’s future.
Click here to view all the shortlisted entries from this year’s China Competition.
Click here to learn more about leather and sustainability.
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