Plastics News editor Bob Grace recently interviewed Chinese car designer Mr. Dong Ruifeng (holding his calligraphy work in the photo), who answered the questions in Chinese. In order to benefit our English-speaking readers, I'm posting the transcript of the video interview here. For our Chinese audience, we will be posting a copy of the video interview on the Chinese-language section of the Plastics News China site.
Q: Please introduce yourself and your company.
A: I'm Dong Ruifeng, founder and owner of automotive design firm - Ruifeng Design - in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. We currently have 320 employees.
Q: How many automotive design firms are there in China?
A: About 37.
Q: And the number of independent Chinese automakers?
A: About 13.
Q: I'd like your impressions of how the Chinese plastic and metal industries have changed over the last 10 or 20 years.
A: China's mold and plastics processing industries have been growing with the entire modern manufacturing sector. The growth rate is rather high in China, because manufacturing is essential to making products, no matter the design is independently innovative, jointly owned by Chinese and foreign investors, or copied. These industries have grown to meet global standards. Since automotive manufacturing involves all kinds of materials and technologies, the fast-growing auto industry in China has bolstered the growth of the entire manufacturing sector.
Q: Can you tell me more about your personal background and how you use calligraphy to influence automotive design?
A: I've never had any Western education. I loved painting during elementary school, middle school and high school. I've also been practicing calligraphy since I was 8 years old. The ideas and inspirations I gained from painting and calligraphy are used both intentionally and subconsciously in my car design. I was in the army for four years. After I graduated from college, I was assigned to work for the First Automotive Works (FAW). Because of the partnership between FAW and Audi, I received training at the Audi design center in Germany. That experience benefited my entire career, as I was exposed to the management, design language, and design methods of the world's most advanced auto design center.
Q: Do other Chinese designer do what you do [apply calligraphy to auto design]?
A: Due to the changes over the past few decades in China, you don't see many people practicing Chinese calligraphy any more. Not every designer can do it. If someone with beginner's knowledge of calligraphy talks about integrating the art into design, that would be a joke. You have to reach a certain level to be able to use it freely. So far, I'm not aware of any other designer doing this.
Q: You won an award at the Shanghai Auto Show earlier this year. Which car was that?
A: I led the design of a super SUV for Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor Co. Ltd. The design received three awards and rave reviews at the auto show. But the awards are for my client, not me.
Q: Is it a concept car or production vehicle?
A: Concept car.
Q: Can you tell us a couple of brands and models of vehicles that are commercialized with your design?
A: You need to understand the realities in China. Chinese automakers would not reveal contract designers for their cars. It's a fundamental term in the contracts. Therefore I cannot comment on your question.
Q: Finally, can you give me your impressions so far of the Industrial Designers Society of America conference, what value you are getting out from participating in Miami?
A: I'm honored to be here attending the conference. I've met excellent designers from all across America and learned a lot from them. I enjoy the friendly atmosphere at the conference and cherish this trip.