London Design Awards interviewee - Sinong Wu

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

Hi, my name is Sinong Wu, and I’m a packaging designer with over ten years of experience. I run my own company, where I also serve as the design director. While we specialise in liquor packaging, we also work on designs for food and tea products. In China, we’ve had the privilege of creating packaging for many renowned brands, including Wuliangye, Fenjiu, and Luzhou Laojiao.

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

I think it is the innovativeness, uniqueness, and originality of designers that make me a designer. For example, when you see your excellent work appearing in the market and being welcomed, the sense of satisfaction and recognition you gain in the eyes of consumers is very good. As a creator, creating design items can bring people beauty, which makes me feel satisfied and happy.

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

I work in my own company, the company name and my name are the same: Sinong Creative Packaging Design. It mainly provides packaging design and brand services for Chinese liquor. Such as Wuliangye, Luzhou Laojiao, Fenjiu, wine, etc. are my customers.

In my role as Director of Design, I am primarily responsible for the packaging design of liquor products, as well as product process planning. Most of the designs were designed by me. I have worked in this industry for ten years, bringing hundreds of millions of sales to customers, and have a wealth of experience.

4. What does “design” mean to you?

It is an important part of my life, as I have been doing design work for ten years. It is like a stage for me to show the outside world, allowing me to find my self-worth and emotional home. In addition, it is also a kind of responsibility. When clients entrust me with the design, it is their trust in me, and it is my responsibility to design it perfectly.

5. What’s your favourite kind of design and why?

A design that combines tradition and modernity. Both cultural inheritance and modern design thinking are the perfect combination of classic and modern.

6. To you, what makes a “good” design?

A good idea is the soul of a design;

1. Good design is the comprehensive embodiment of multiple factors, it is not only visual appeal but also related to function, user experience, innovation, emotional resonance and social responsibility.

2. Good design solves practical problems, improves efficiency, simplifies operations, and ensures that functionality is closely integrated with user needs.

3. Good design makes users feel convenience and comfort unconsciously. Even after many years, it will not be outdated, reflecting the lasting value of design.

4. Encourage emotions through aesthetic elements to establish an emotional connection between the product and the user.

5. Good design is a balance between innovation and practicality, a fusion of art and technology, and an extreme pursuit of details.

7. How did you come up with the idea for your award-winning design?

The idea of the work comes from Chinese classical culture, we like Chinese classical culture, which perfectly matches the needs of the customer, and thus this winning work was born.

8. What was your main source of inspiration for this design?

The style of ancient Chinese buildings, stoves, and Ming Dynasty furniture gave me a lot to think about and eventually integrated into the design. Of course, there is also the regional culture of the client, such as the representative mountain range of Taihang Mountain in the client's location, which was also integrated into the design.

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

Of course, China has thousands of years of history and culture; My design ideas and inspiration are entirely from the classic cultural heritage. It inspires me like a huge treasure trove of ideas.

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

Winning design awards has many positive effects on companies and teams. As a third-party authoritative recognition, it enhances the credibility of design works and is an important achievement mark for enterprises and designers.

It can significantly enhance the company's brand image and increase consumer trust in the company. For individual designers, winning awards can increase career development opportunities, and enhance self-worth and job satisfaction.

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

The design is based on Chinese traditional culture. The style of ancient classical Chinese architecture and furniture brings me thinking. Finally, the design is integrated into the design. You can see the local culture, to give people a sense of Eastern beauty. By participating in this project I hope more people will learn about my work and my work and enhance their sense of self-worth.

12. What were the main challenges you faced during the design process, and how did you overcome them?

I think it should be a good idea, a good idea is the soul of design; there are too many distinctive cultures in the design process that make it difficult for me to choose. How to solve it? After communicating with the customer, I went to the customer's location to understand the local culture and finally designed around traditional Chinese furniture architecture to solve the problem of choice.

13. How do you think winning this award will impact your future as a designer?

The award has a significant positive impact on the professional future of designers. Enhancing personal brand and visibility is the external recognition of a designer's professional ability, which can quickly enhance the designer's personal brand value.

It brings honour to designers and is also an important milestone in the development of their careers. It can open up new career opportunities, expand influence, and inspire designers to constantly strive for excellence.

14. What are your top three (3) favorite things about the design industry?

1. Creative realisation, one of the most enjoyable moments for designers is to turn creative ideas and concepts into real works. This process is full of endless possibilities, from the initial spark of inspiration to the birth of the final product, every step is filled with the joy of creation.

2. Problem-solving, design is not only an aesthetic display but also an art of problem-solving.

3. Client recognition and project success, when the client expresses high satisfaction with the design results, or the design project is successful in the market, the designer will feel great joy.

15. What sets your design apart from others in the same category?

Classical history and culture have influenced my design thinking, and I have integrated these elements into my design to create distinctive designs. Incorporating emotions and the story behind it into the design work can touch people's hearts and make the design not just a visual display but also an emotional connection. This storytelling makes the design stand out.

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

The integration of AI, VR/AR, 3D printing and other technologies will change the design process and product experience, driving design innovation and efficiency improvement. Attention to sustainability, eco-friendly materials, and circular design will become the standard, and designers need to consider the environmental impact of products throughout their entire lifecycle.

In particular, intelligent design, automated design tools, and AI-assisted design will become popular, but they will also put higher demands on designers' creativity and strategic planning capabilities.

These changes require designers to continuously learn new technologies, and understand market trends while maintaining their pursuit of the essence of design to adapt to the rapidly changing industry environment.

17. What advice do you have for aspiring designers who want to create award-winning designs?

Emphasis on aesthetics and vision, striving for high standards in visual expression and creativity. It brings people an interactive feeling and visual breakthrough. Program innovation and feasibility, propose specific, novel and feasible programs, clarify the differences from existing solutions, and emphasise their uniqueness and executability.

Analyse the winning works of previous years, find out the differentiating innovative points, and ensure that your design stands out in the same category. Whether it is a physical model, a rendering, or a review material, high-quality presentation is essential. Don't be afraid of failure, participate in more competitions, and every competition is an opportunity for learning and growth.

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

Cultivate the concept behind the design, form your own design style, and dare to try new ideas, even if they seem immature. Appreciate the excellent works of others and understand their creativity, skills, and design principles. Use professional resource websites (such as Behance) to learn design trends and excellent cases.

19. Tell us something you have never told anyone else.

I studied sculpture and oil painting in college, but most people around me don't know this fact. :)

20. Who has inspired you in your life and why?

Football legend Ronaldo. I like his spirit of never giving up and fighting until the last moment. I think of him whenever I encounter difficulties.

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

Persevere and keep learning. Do this in an industry you love and you will succeed.

Winning Entry

2024
London Design Awards Winner - Hongji.Lujiu.Yinpiaolaohao by Chengdu Sinong Creative Packaging Design Co., Ltd
Shanxi Changzhi Lujiu Co., Ltd/Hongji Lujiu Shanxi Co., Ltd

Entrant Company

Chengdu Sinong Creative Packaging Design Co., Ltd

Category

Packaging Design - Wine, Beer & Liquor