Interview with Jean Chen, Zeal Design Studio, China

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Jean Chen

Jean believes that a good design is one that fits the needs of humanity beautifully.



Interview with the 2021 MUSE Design Awards Winner - Jean Chen

1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.

Chengyi Chen focuses on hardcover design and core creative work; Xiaojie Shen focuses on soft-fitting design and project docking and landing.

Both of them have worked in professional design for nearly 10 years, and established and registered the brand of "ZEAL DESIGN DESIGN" in Shanghai in 2016.

2What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?

The pursuit of beauty and the persistent discussion of lifestyle make the profession of designer the most attractive to one's own work and life, and also make both work and life have irreplaceable vitality.

3Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

The company was established in Shanghai in 2016, and moved its studio back to its hometown of Luoyang in May 2020. Now, its main business includes model houses and sales offices of domestic real estate developers, high-end private residential projects and the design and construction of commercial subjects.

4What does “design” mean to you?

"Design" is not only my major, my job, but now it has infiltrated into my life, constantly influencing and guiding me in all aspects of life and all stages of life development. Design should constantly change my understanding of foreign objects at all levels, and lead me into a new realm of life.

5What’s your favorite kind of design and why?

My favorite designer contains the design of the owner's self-life philosophy, which can reflect the owner's living habits and philosophy of doing things. It is the best design to decorate and fit the needs of human nature.

6To you, what makes a “good” design?

A design that decorates and fits the needs of humanity is the best design.

7Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

It has a very obvious post-modernist style, extremely simplifies decoration, highlights the leading role of some artworks in the design theme in space, has low color brightness, is comfortable and simple, and has design allusions that are interlinked with the future.

8Tell us about your design process.

Firstly, the demands of the owners are summarized, and the functions are combed. Then, in the aesthetic conception of the whole space, the common points coexisting with the functions are found. Then, the concrete design elements are fused in the details of the space, and finally a complete design system is formed.

9Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?

The influence is very great, and the influence of region and culture goes deep into the thoughts and habits of people living in this region. The biggest challenge in the design process is to integrate traditional elements into modern design and connect with the future further.

10Congratulations! As the winner of the 2021 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

It means a good summary and a new beginning.

11Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2021 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

The design conception and color selection of this work are very representative of modern design. Innovative design has been carried out on furniture. On the basis of uniqueness, it can well conform to the general direction of global design trends. It is quiet and has visual tension, comfortable and has a sense of trend.

12What was the biggest challenge with this project?

The biggest challenge is the balance between the innovation of functional layout and aesthetics.

13How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?

It is a good incentive and a good means of propaganda.

14What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?

Design innovation, design interpretation and poetry formation, design sharing.

15What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?

The design elements with profound cultural heritage and multiple national characteristics can be selected for extension, which makes the design have many possibilities.

16Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?

Humanized, intelligent, comfortable and labeled.

17If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?

Trying more is not affected by the current trend.

18What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?

Good design companies, some design exhibitions and art exhibitions will be the places where design skills and inspiration can be acquired.

19Who has inspired you in your life and why?

Anyone can be my inspiration, not a specific person, but a random life or work scene, which can be the source of design inspiration.

20What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

Perseverance, not satisfied with the present, dare to try, dare to challenge the inherent thinking.

21Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?

I hope to win a higher level award in the next competition.



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Zeal Design Studio


Zeal Design Studio is an award-winning interior design studio based in China.

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