Interview with Wanyong Chen, Hangzhou Nabel China Co., Ltd, China

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Wanyong Chen

Wanyong’s favorite design is a balancing act between the refinement of key elements and expressive visuals that fully define the work.



Interview with the 2021 MUSE Design Awards Winner - Wanyong Chen

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

As a staff working in Hangzhou Nabel Ceramic Co., Ltd, my present position in this company is designer director.my competition works is designing for NABEL booth( to display porcelain slabs ) which is for Foshan Tanzhou Ceramic Fair 2020.

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

I like painting since my childhood, innovative things and making dreams to present beautiful elements via designing. Therefore, I chose designing as my career.

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

Hangzhou Nabel is one of the leading ceramic tile manufacturers in China, and I now hold the position as designer-director.

4What does “design” mean to you?

Designing can make dreams come true and make the ideal object possible.

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

My favorite design is to ‘keep blank’, like a Chinese brush painting. In a Chinese brush painting, where the middle is drawn to look like it’s blank. With it, it shows the mountains, clouds, and the flowing streams, becoming an endless imagination of a canvas.

6To you, what makes a “good” design?

The design needs balance and overall consideration, soliciting different opinions and refining the key element. I personally think a >

7Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

I have no concrete style. This is to express the scene via combined elements using artistic methods that caters to the present standards of aesthetic judgement.

8Tell us about your design process.

While getting the design project, I’d try to understand the situation of different design style. After comparing and refining, I’ll use the most optimal characteristics to make creative design.

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

Many elements will be considered during the designing process. They include the local culture, geographical identity, traditional customs and culture, especially the regional culture element refining playing an important role.

During the earlier phase of design investigation, this will be implanted to the real designing works.

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?

This award is not just a reward; it is affirmative and encouraging for us. Winning this international award will enhance our company brand, strengthen the team unity, as well as stimulate creative enthusiasm.

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?

Our work is based on the concept of the cave, highlighting the effect of the development of our rock plate from the cave, reflecting the continuous pattern, technology, overall body, etc. of the rock plate. The reason for choosing this project to participate in the exhibition is that the overall shape is unique, eye-catching and has connotation.

12What was the biggest challenge with this project?

Every design project is a challenge for us. The designer will give more connotation to the design as per customer demand, along with business strategy, cultural positioning, aesthetic value and other aspects. Challenge is a kind of inner spirit and feelings, and the biggest challenge of the project actually comes from the customer's cognition and the completion of the project.

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

Winning an award for a designer like me encourages me to be more innovative, provide better services and higher standards, which will be incorporated into my design bloodstream bit by bit.

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

1. Designers from the same industry line learn from each other

2. The designing works are accepted by customers

3. The design innovation and award are recognized by the ceramic design industry

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

China is a civilized country with a history of thousands of years , and its cultural connotation is extensive and profound. At the same time, the Chinese nation is a nation influenced by Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism, and it has 56 ethnic groups with strong inclusiveness,So China has all kinds of needs and understanding of different cultures, different faiths, so there is infinite space for designers to play in China.

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

There will be two types of design firms and designers in the next 5-10 years:one is with creative style, with another one in service.

For the creative designer, they are mostly young, have high literacy, knowledgeable, better aesthetically, more receptive, and serviceable, making them more professional in the process.

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

Learn and practice! I will truly learn and stick to the original intention of design, and at the same time make use of more opportunities to practice.

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

1. Learn good designing cases, while understanding it at the same time

2. Have bold emotions and encouragements to make innovative designs.

19Who has inspired you in your life and why?

The design inspiration comes from nature, culture and life. Design will not be separated from life. The design inspiration will always be based on the better understanding for culture and life.



Winning Entries

Nabel Porcelain Slabs Tanzhou Exhibition | 2021

Interview with Wanyong Chen, Hangzhou Nabel China Co., Ltd, China

The design inspiration for the Cave comes from the Chinese character "Yan", which is an extended concept of cave,showing the...
(read more at MUSE Design Awards)


Hangzhou Nabel China Co., Ltd


Hangzhou Nabel China Co., Ltd is an award-winning interior design studio based in China.

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