We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer YINGRI GUAN about their original and creative Light Installation design work. YINGRI GUAN is an award-winning creative designer, that makes our world a better place with their original light installation works.
YINGRI GUAN ("YG") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Cava Light Installation. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
YG : The series of designs is mainly inspired by cave patterns and formations.
YG : The main focus in designing this work is to explore. I want to explore different ways of data visualization. The other part is to explore materials. How material combinations in different formats can generate different effects to create physical visualizations.
YG : The future plan for this award-winning design is to explore further on subjects with the same property to cave formations.
YG : The concept took about a month on and off in total. The production of this format of physical visualization is a method I have always used for my works. The main work lies in the research of the inspiration, design functions to achieve the goal of presenting reality to my audience.
YG : This was a pursuit of inspiration. I love how laser-cut acrylic glass could create a really interesting and stunning installation in combination with LED lights.
YG : Right now this work is mainly produced by myself. It is in my plan to sell this work if opportunity prevails.
YG : Experimentation and also the curiosity of materials inspired me to create this type of work. I have had the chance of learning about interactive art with computer coding.
YG : Yes, many designers are my inspirations for these designs. I constantly look for inspirations online or at galleries. People that I come to close contact with like my fellow classmates from grad school, advisors, friends are all my inspirations.
YG : The target customers are people who are into innovative ideas as this work combines art, design, technology, and science to form mixed-media installations. They are also enthusiastic collectors who might or might not have a particular interest in light installed pieces.
YG : This design is different from other similar concepts as this is combining information, creating visualization and generate a physical visualization in the final form.
YG : The name means cave in Greek. The form really resembles the cave installations I have visited that inspired this design concept.
YG : The design tools that I used are processing, adobe creative suite, laser cutter etc.
YG : The most unique aspect of my design is that they are products of the combination of technology and science which would seem cold and futuristic. The end product aims to feel organic and give this close association to human beings.
YG : There were some advice from my boyfriend who I constantly discuss designs and show my work to get feedback. I do consult with technical staff at maker space where I would use laser cutter machines to produce these works.
YG : Technology serves as a guide and tool to produce this particular design. For the development of the design concept. Technology in combination with design and art generates the design patterns that later being used on laser cutters to produce the final output.
YG : Yes. I have researched on the formation and process of limestone caves. Checking out information in regards to the different cave formation.
YG : Some challenges I faced would be to figure out an algorithm that would represent the cave patterns and yet having organic forms.
YG : I saw the call for art in my email feed and thought to myself I'd submit to this international design competition to see what would happen.
YG : I have learned more about physical visualizations. I always love works involving physical visualization to present reality from a new perspective.
YG : I'd love to hear any feedback from you. Feel free to share with me your thoughts about design, my work or things in general at yingriguan@gmail.com.
