Features

Jeff Shi

31 May 2012

Designing with bamboo is not new for Asians, but high-profile designer Jeff Shi has the world excited with his innovative new spin on this sturdy natural material. Founder and creative director of Dragonfly Gallery and Dragon Design Center, he is no stranger to awards and his exhibit featuring LED-Bamboo, a new green building material, recently bagged the 2012 Red Dot Award for iF Communication Design. Frequently shuttling between Taipei and Beijing, and various exhibits, Shi made time to chat with Maida Pineda about his globetrotting.

YOU TRAVEL FREQUENTLY FOR WORK. DO YOU STILL ENJOY TRAVELLING FOR LEISURE?

Of course, I still long for holidays! I prefer taking a trip to Southeast Asia, especially Ubud in Bali.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE VACATION?

Every trip I have made to Ubud has been a treat. I am fascinated with the traditions and the culture. Artisans, sculptors and painters make up its lively, creative community, and they have been doing excellent work. Comparatively, their attitudes are less utilitarian, which is influenced by their lifestyle and religion. I have also enjoyed the natural environment a lot, so I keep going back.

DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR FIRST VISIT TO BALI?

Yes, I was captivated by the paintings in Museum Puri Lukisan. Beside the paintings, they listed the details of the artist, including the location of their workshops. I immediately hopped into a car to visit them. In New York, artists normally use spacious lofts as their studios. But those in Ubud were so close to nature, with beautiful views of the rivers, valleys and rice paddies. These artists merely use the necessary amount of paint and a few basic tools: what a humble and honest way to create work.

DO MANY OF YOUR DESIGN INSPIRATIONS COME FROM YOUR TRAVELS?

I don’t intentionally look for inspiration when I travel. The most important thing is to feel and receive with all my senses. But my latest bamboo design “Praise of Bamboo Tea Tray set” was inspired by how the Shangri-la Tibetan villagers in China stack up firewood.

WHICH CITY IS YOUR TOP PICK FOR SHOPPING?

Generally speaking it’s Tokyo. But for clothes, Paris and Milan are my picks. Though I admire the design and craftsmanship of Japanese designers, I can rarely buy clothes suitable for my size in Tokyo.

WHAT CAN’T YOU LEAVE HOME WITHOUT?

My iPhone, camera and laptop are top of my list. The Olympus E-P3 is a fun toy. My iPhone and Macbook Pro connect me to the outside world.

DO YOU HAVE TIPS TO MAKE LONG-HAUL TRIPS MORE ENJOYABLE?

Because I have been suffering from sleeping problems, passing out right when I get on the plane is the happiest thing for me. I would say sleeping pills make long-haul trips more enjoyable.

WHERE ARE YOU OFF TO NEXT?

I’m going to Shanghai and Hangzhou for a business trip, to investigate the possibility of establishing a design and material research centre for the bamboo industry. This centre would aim to be a hub in the Asia-Pacific region for researchers, designers and industries all round the world.

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