I’m Zhenan Qin, a retail designer. I love art and all beautiful things since I was a child. In 2013, I set up my own design studio, which specialized in shopping mall , supermarket , commercial blocks and other commercial space design.

I am currently based in Los Angeles, California. Before entering the fashion industry, I studied political science. Having always loved art growing up, I craved creative expression and freedom and moved to Los Angeles to pursue fashion design. Currently, I teach fashion design and art to at-promise youth. Many of my students are systems-impacted and have experienced trauma, such as trafficking, unhousing, gang violence, domestic violence, and substance abuse. Through the lenses of fashion, art, and design, I teach these youth social-emotional skills—a former student explained that my programming even saved her life and taught her how to love herself.

Premiering at NYFW and winning the 2021 International Design Award for Fashion Design of the Year, my collection, "mul·ti·po·lar—ex·ist·ence," was inspired by the interconnectivity and the multidimensionality of the human experience. The collection demonstrates the capacity of the human condition and how we as people are interdependent elements whose souls become intertwined through chance and circumstance. It is a conceptual, personal, and poetic vision of humanity; it is both an homage and a criticism of the dissociation and derealization of relationships in our own lives. “mul·ti·po·lar—ex·ist·ence” can best be summarized in just six words: soulmates will always find a way.

Some of my other accolades include:

• 2021 International Design Awards Fashion Design of the Year
• 2021 30 Under 30 Changemaker in Education
• 2018 Young Fashion Designer of the Year
• 2016 Project Runway Remake It Work Grand Prize Winner

On the one hand, my mother is a designer, and I have been greatly influenced by her since I was a child.

On the other hand, I feel that design is a kind of wisdom, which has the ability to turn mediocrity into magic. It is a very meaningful thing to bring commercial value to the brand and surprise consumers through design and our professional ability.

We are a retail problem solving expert, not a simple decoration design company. Our work includes a series of contents such as business planning, business positioning, brand strategy, brand VI design, graphic layout, interior design, mechanical and electrical, and decoration landing. We are an integrated design solution provider based on business functions, from strategy, brand to space, from planning, design to implementation.

Many people think that design and art are the same thing, but there is actually a difference between pure art and commercial art. The design of commercial space needs to understand the internal logic of retail, space function, consumer psychology, brand marketing, materials, construction technology, water and electricity HVAC expertise. Our job is to use commercial art to awaken the vitality of consumption and help achieve the commercial value of the brand.

It fills our hearts with joy and strength when we see the retail projects we design open with huge crowds and satisfied smiles on the faces of our customers.

Break through the conventional constraints and reach a real consensus with the business owner. Based on the consensus, the two parties form a joint force to create a bench marking design with brand effect, which is recognized by the business owner and consumers.

I think “good” design is to help the owner to convey the brand image thoroughly, make profits quickly, and create a good experience atmosphere for consumers.

In fact, there is no so-called style in commercial design. All designs are adapted to local conditions. The design style of a project does not depend on the preferences of a certain designer or owner, but the preferences of local consumers. My design emphasizes to extract the features and elements of the space from the background of the brand and local culture, taking into account the practicality, aesthetics, cost and practicability of the space.

First, we go to the project site to investigate and communicate with the owner. In-depth understanding of the project business circle, customer attributes, competitors, local culture and the property conditions of the project itself. After thorough understanding and communication, we start concept design and floor plan.

Then, after determining the plane and conceptual direction, we start the design of renderings and brand VI, props, soft decoration design, etc., repeatedly communicate with the owner to determine the results and design the construction drawings. In the process, we’ll comprehensively consider materials, cost, practicability, construction technology, etc., to ensure the perfect landing of the project.

Finally, go to the construction site to implement the control, supervision and acceptance of every construction detail.

Yes, of course!

The project was designed under the background of the general westernization of commercial space in China. It is a supermarket that fully demonstrates the oriental culture. The initial consensus reached between us and the owner is to create a supermarket that is different from any brand on the market. with this original intention, we designed an oriental market that has been passed down for thousands of years, so that local consumers can find cultural resonance in the urban business environment full of modernization and Westernization, and make up for the lack of local cultural business environment.

Thanks to the judges and organizers for their recognition and encouragement to us!

The honor is to move forward better. We will continue to innovate and strive for greater breakthroughs and innovations.

The project is located in Chengdu, Sichuan,China, covering an area of more than 5,000 square meters.

The whole project property is narrow and long, which is easy to make consumers feel visual fatigue. We use its inherent physical environment to design it as a "market", combine the inherent disadvantages of the store with other advantages, and build it into an "Oriental market" in combination with the unique Oriental local color, so that local consumers can find cultural resonance in the modern and westernized urban business environment, Make up for the lack of local culture and business environment.

We take the most famous local plant "bamboo" in Chengdu, where the project is located, which is also the spiritual symbol in the hearts of Chinese people, as the inspiration source of the project. We transform the form of bamboo into the graphics of brand logo, use its growth state into the paving language of heaven and earth, and combine the meaning of "Weiyang" to refine the scale of "bamboo" in heaven and earth.

The visual language of the whole store is dominated by traditional Chinese calligraphy. From hard decoration to guidance and then to soft decoration system, they are telling a complete story of "Oriental market".

With the key lighting effect of spotlight, the color rendering index of goods is controlled at 97%, which sets off the protagonist of space - goods like creating a stage.

In the whole design, we have adopted environmental friendly stone, ceramic tile, metal stainless steel, wood grain aluminum veneer, glass and other major fireproof materials to build a business environment. Shape the aesthetic taste rooted in the hearts of the Chinese people in modern materials and crafts. Meet resonance in the "Oriental market".

Why enter this project : We hope to let more people see Chinese design and understand oriental culture.

The biggest challenge is to integrate Chinese traditional culture with fashionable business.

To a certain extent, it can help with brand promotion and credit endorsement. More importantly, winning the award allows me to confirm the direction of my efforts and to treat the next projects more seriously and confidently.

The recognition of the market, consumers and owners, and clearing the ideological level to re-understand and examine myself.

China has 5000-year-old culture and history. China's business is developing and growing, but it is not as mature as the West. As the material foundation of society is getting better and better, and the demand for spiritual culture continues to increase, China's design industry has great potential. It is about people's national self-confidence and cultural identity, as well as changes in people's quality of life and lifestyle.

In the future, Commercial design will be more specialized and niche, removing exaggeration and returning to the essence of business.

Design is not an overnight thing, only love can make you go on unswervingly, plan your goals early, and forge ahead towards it!

Learn from nature and the nature of human nature.

I have actually done every major in interior design. I remember that when I was just graduating, I was drawing construction drawings in a company. There was a nasty column that hindered my scheme. Because of my inexperience, I actually deleted the tile of the column. Later, my leader found out and scolded me and cried.

My mother, She is a costume designer. I grew up watching her sketches, envied her very much and was curious about her work.

In addition, the owners, colleagues, family members, peers are also inspired me. Design itself is a matter of constant exploration, and as a designer, I always retain a curiosity and imagination that is constantly inspired.

My colleagues, they are very good and have done a lot of good projects, I hope that three of them will participate in this design award.

My dream is to apply the ancient wisdom and philosophy of the East to China today.