Interview with He Xiaojun from China

In the late '90s and early 2000s, making a living as an oil painter in China was really tough. I had to give up my painting dreams due to financial pressures. So, I started teaching myself design and took on commercial projects to pay my bills. This experience gradually shaped me into a designer.

I am the founder of Chengdu Tony Design Co., Ltd, and my company primarily focuses on commercial space design, especially in the areas of retail spaces for the home furnishings and building materials industry, as well as exhibition space design. Currently, my main responsibilities include overall design management and guiding designers in layout and creativity.

Design means communication, and in commercial design, it requires a two-way communication with both the client and consumers to achieve a higher level of consensus in order to create the most suitable design.

Designing commercial spaces offers a unique sense of fulfillment for me, largely because of the larger scale and impact of these projects. It's incredibly rewarding to see a vast space transform and come to life through my designs.

Good design involves two aspects: a moderate fusion of art and commerce, and innovation.

I believe my style is somewhat interdisciplinary or eclectic, presenting an overall sense of value and comfort that meets the needs of the Chinese people.

Keep it simple! Think thoroughly and then take action.

The influence is significant, as seen in traditional Chinese painting or garden design, which emphasizes having "mountains and rivers in one's mind" and the idea that strokes are imbued with a sense of spirituality.

It means that as long as you face things earnestly, you will be acknowledged.

This work is designed for a well-known panel manufacturer in Chengdu, showcasing various patterns and colors. Panel patterns play an increasingly important role in the fields of home spaces and product design. As my design projects mainly focus on retail space design for home building materials, the impact of this particular project is expected to be extensive.

The building for this project has an older brick-and-concrete structure, which means many walls and doorways cannot be easily modified. Additionally, there are limitations on the ceiling height. Innovating within these constraints poses a considerable

I will continue doing what I excel at and approach each project with diligence.

Communication between people and space, spatial creativity, and the application of decorative materials.

Because the Chinese design industry is situated within the broader context of reform, openness, and globalization. It is presenting particularly exciting and boundless possibilities.

In the post-pandemic era, design will place greater emphasis on expressing substance and human care.

Draw inspiration from the excellent designs of predecessors.

There aren't many specific resources, it's crucial to rely on firsthand experiences and observe physical spaces.

My cat once pooped on my car.

My wife, because her delicious cooking makes me feel the need for a beautiful space to match.

Working in the same industry as long as possible.