Interview With Sano Shanghai From China

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Sano Shanghai

With not one, but many wins in the MUSE Design Awards under his belt, Sano Shanghai is a dominating force in China’s interior design scene!

Interview with the 2022 MUSE Design Awards Winner - Sano Shanghai

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

I have been working as a designer for around 15 years, majored in environment and art design at university. I am a senior designer qualified by Interior Design Institute.

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

I love painting and art from my childhood, and want to bring beauty to everyone and become a designer since long time ago. I think it is from my nature.

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

Reshape Structur is an interior design company. I am the team leader to manage team members in daily work and create interior works together from the concept to the completion work.

4What does “design” mean to you?

Design for me is the motivation and joy of every day. In terms of my career, it is also a goal that requires my dedication to pursue.

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

I don't have a constant favorite design type that for me, each design type has its own beauty. I just need to learn the good parts of those projects and try to improve, even correct the defects.

6To you, what makes a “good” design?

It is all about solving problems. As long as the design helps people to solve the problem they concern of living and working, it is successful. It is even better if the space considered of aesthetics and art.

7Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

Actually, I cannot find any specific words to describe my design, so I will better to say they are no style. It is important to understand the needs of the client and the unique form of each space before start to design. Then not consider what I want to design and just focus myself to the project itself, that makes a space unique and stylish.

8Tell us about your design process.

During the design process which is a ‘constantly overturning itself’ process, at the beginning, I will carefully prepared several options of proposals, comparing them and discussing with clients, finally finding out the best way to do. I will continually deepen it and adjust it according to the reality.

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

I think cultural heritage has deeply influenced each one of us and the design philosophy of Chinese designers. It also plays a very important role in my work.

10Congratulations! As the winner of the 2022 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

It must be very honored and pleasant, and a recognition of the design work of my team and me. I am sure it will be an incentive for our team.

11Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2022 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

The work took one year for us to complete, and the entire team was work from home within designing the project because of COVID. It is really a special experience to us and everyone.

12What was the biggest challenge with this project?

It must be working from home which changed the whole design progress of my work. But I have to say every project is big challenge for me at that moment, so I prefer to encounter challenges and never back down from a challenge.

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

Projects of me will be known by pears in the industry and be more familiar with market.

14What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
  • New construction material
  • New cases of other designers
  • Communication with peers.
15What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?

Innovative, stylish, bold and fun.

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

Hospitality and hotel will be the main sector.

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

Design is the industry of constant exploration and innovation, assert yourself and improve yourself.

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

Constantly reading a lot of design books, as well as referencing to good projects that quantity causes quality.

19Who has inspired you in your life and why?

My one-year-old son, watching him be born and came into the world, watching him grow up, watching him call me father, those moments make me feel responsibility that became the motivation of my work.

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

Keep your feet on the ground, study hard and don't be hesitated to ask questions when needed.


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Sano Shanghai

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