#IWD Spotlights Lai Ya Nan, Design Director, DOMO nature
Lai Ya Nan
赖吖楠
Design Director
DOMO nature
FIND – Design Fair Asia:
We’re all thinking about equality in design this year. What does equality mean to you within the design world, and what experiences have shaped your perspective on this?
LAI YA NAN:
众所周知，或许是职业特点使然，很长时间以来在设计行业里女性的从业比例一直低于男性，而且整个行业里放眼望去职业成就的获得感也是男性明显的高于女性。
但就我自身的职业经历而言，我其实并未被这一客观状况所困扰过。因为我一直认为只要你能在你热爱的事情里面尽情地去投入、去释放，你的专业水准和能力是可以帮助你获得各种机会的。我的工作状态从来和男性没有任何区别：两天飞三个城市、在飞机上画平面图、在工地上戴安全帽吃工作餐、在会议室里讨论方案、在讲台上讲课……在我的认知里，我一直认为无论性别，每个人都有同等的机会去展示自己的才华、获得资源和支持，并参与到各种工作中。当然我也一直坚持把我在职业生涯中的积累和收获，通过积极参与各种各样的行业活动分享给更多的人；希望通过我的经验传递，鼓励更多的女性加入设计行业来推动性别平等。在这一点上我的确起到了表率的作用。同时我鼓励我的女性学生们抛开一切成见，勇敢的做自己、努力的实现心中的梦想。还有我也一直在自己的团队中创造一个包容的环境，让每个人的声音都能被听到。
As we all know, perhaps due to the nature of the profession, the proportion of women in the design industry has always been lower than that of men. Moreover, across the entire industry, the sense of achievement in career accomplishments is also significantly higher for men than for women.
But in terms of my own professional experience, I have never been troubled by this. Because I have always believed that as long as you can fully invest and release yourself in what you love, your professional level and abilities can help you gain various opportunities. My work state has never been different from that of men: flying to three cities in two days, drawing floor plans on the plane, wearing a hard hat and eating work meals on construction sites, discussing plans in meeting rooms, lecturing on stage…
FIND – Design Fair Asia:
How does it influence your creative process and design philosophy?
LAI YA NAN:
我认为真正影响我们设计理念和创作面貌的还是设计的价值观。这里面有一切美好的成分：比如公平、温暖、爱意、克制、敬畏、适度、未来、可持续等等……同时在创作中，我也非常愿意在面对挑战时用平等和开放的态度积极寻求与不同背景的人合作，尊重和吸纳他们的意见，在设计中融入多元化的视角。我相信不同的观点和经验能够更加丰富设计的内涵，可以让作品更具开发性和创新性。很多时候，和很多有趣的人（无论是专家还是具体劳作的工人）在一起为了一个目标的协作也是作品的一部分。这很酷，也是我热爱设计师这个职业的原因之一。
I believe that the true influence on our design philosophy and creative appearance comes from the values of design. These values encompass all the beautiful elements: fairness, warmth, love, restraint, reverence, moderation, the future, sustainability, and so on… At the same time, in the creative process, I am very willing to actively seek collaboration with people from different backgrounds with an equal and open attitude when facing challenges. I respect and incorporate their opinions, integrating diverse perspectives into the design. I believe that different viewpoints.
FIND – Design Fair Asia:
When you think of International Women’s Day, what comes to mind? How do you see us collectively contributing to a more optimistic future, not only in design but in all aspects of life?
LAI YA NAN:
国际妇女节的核心在通过庆祝女性的成就同时，也提醒我们仍需努力的通过各种工作在各个领域为女性争取权利和机会。
在设计领域，我们可以通过各类教育和培训来提升女性的专业技能，也希望策划更多的专业展览为她们提供更多的展示平台和机会。鼓励更多女性走出家庭和内心的羁绊，在工作中体现自身的价值。
同时也要传播一个理念“人人平等才是社会文明的标志”。
The essence of International Women’s Day lies in celebrating women’s achievements while also reminding us that we still need to strive through various efforts to advocate for women’s rights and opportunities in all fields. In the field of design, we can enhance women’s professional skills through various forms of education and training. We also hope to organize more professional exhibitions to provide them with more platforms and opportunities to showcase their talents. We encourage more women to step out of their homes and inner constraints, and to demonstrate their value in the workplace.
At the same time, we must also promote the idea that “equality for all is the hallmark of a civilized society”.
FIND – Design Fair Asia:
What experiences have shaped your journey as a woman in design, particularly the challenges? If you could offer a word of encouragement or wisdom to aspiring female designers, what would it be?
LAI YA NAN:
我的成长经历对我的职业塑造起到很关键的作用。我的家庭教育非常的开放，让我从小就能很自由的去做一切自己想做的事情：上山下海的玩、大量的看各种画报读物、随心所欲的乱写乱画、听大人们高谈阔论……
所以我的认知是对自己从不设限，我从不在意我能干什么，我只在意我喜欢干什么。这样可以让我在喜欢的事情里义无反顾，既是是面临巨大困难和挑战，我也会用良好的心态来面对。当然最后成功的解决了问题的成就感也让我充满欣喜和满足。
我想对有抱负的女性设计师说：“相信自己，做你想做的。不要因为外界的质疑而轻易放弃，坚持下去，你会发现一个让自己惊讶的你。”
My upbringing has played a crucial role in shaping my career. My family education was very open, allowing me to freely do whatever I wanted from a young age: playing in the mountains and the sea, reading various magazines and books, doodling and writing freely, listening to adults’ grand discussions…
So my understanding is that I never set limits on myself. I don’t care about what I can do; I only care about what I like to do. This allows me to pursue the things I love without hesitation. Even when facing great difficulties and challenges, I will approach them with a positive mindset. Of course, the sense of accomplishment from successfully solving the problem fills me with joy and satisfaction.
I want to tell aspiring female designers: “Believe in yourself, do what you want to do. Don’t give up easily because of external doubts. Keep going, and you will discover a version of yourself that will surprise you.”
FIND – Design Fair Asia:
Let’s shine a light on some amazing women in design. Who in your network do you think deserves recognition for their contributions? We’d love to hear your nomination and why their work is so meaningful.
LAI YA NAN:
我想提及的是意大利的著名女设计师Paola Navone，在我眼里她就是天才型的设计师，用轻松拿捏的设计创作出意想不到的作品。
I would say it is the famous Italian female designer Paola Navone for me.
In my eyes, she is a genius designer who creates unexpected works with her effortlessly grasp on designs.
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This International Women’s Day, FIND – Design Fair Asia is taking the whole month of March to celebrate and embrace great works from inspirational women in design. For this #IWM, we are celebrating by inviting you to be a part of this movement. Know of any “women in design” that is worth the shine? We would love to hear from you and put a recognition to them. Nominate by tagging them to this comment and you might just see them “on spotlight” this month.
