Yan Chen, the brain behind Happy Theme Park is an internationally recognized architectural designer and artist who is a member of Baoneng Group. She has a Master’s degree in MBA and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture. She is skilled in architecture, internal, programming, and master planning services, and technical management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q1. Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am Yan Chen, a highly respected architectural designer and accomplished artist, and my contribution to this field has been internationally recognized. With a strong investment portfolio that demonstrates my outstanding skills and accomplishments, I am proud to be a member of Baoneng Group, a well-known real estate company headquartered in Shenzhen, China. We provide top-level architecture, internal, programming, and master planning services, and technical management for different clients. Before joining Baoneng Group, I gained valuable experience in world-renowned companies such as Wanda Group and OCT Group. My academic journey includes a Master’s degree in MBA from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK and a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Chongqing University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q2. What made you become\/why did you choose to become a product designer?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I have lived and traveled to more than 30 countries in the world to learn about the world’s diverse cultures and inclusive architecture of various styles. Architectural and cultural style, designers have created a place where people like to linger, communicate and increase their understanding of each other. This unique building not only incorporates cultural styles but also eliminates psychological barriers between different races. The grand bazaar and exotic architectural complexes tell me that architecture, as an intermediary of culture, can not only create a satisfactory resonance space but also a symbol of the character of the city. I am full of admiration for the potential of architecture and hope that one day I can create such a design object. This was the moment when I decided to become an architect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q3. Tell us more about your business\/company, job profile, and what you do.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I am the Vice President of Dongguan Hengtai Technology Group. He was a ninth-level executive of Wanda Group and the design director of OCT Regional Company. My company has been committed to the development and construction of cultural tourism, and I have been responsible for the creative design of architecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q4. What does \u201cdesign\u201d mean to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Respecting the environment and natural ecology is a long-standing challenge. China has made great progress in protecting natural resources and long-term sustainable development. I create and study local culture and historical heritage, and study how to protect ecology and save energy; the friendly protection of the environment has also brought economic benefits to the original residents. To protect the green mountains and waters, the concept of “sustainable” was proposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q5. What\u2019s your favorite kind of design and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My favorite kind of design revolves around architecture that acts as a cultural bridge, preserving heritage while embracing change, and creating spaces that resonate emotionally and expressively with their users. My fascination lies in the dynamic equilibrium of cultures interacting and surviving together, and I aspire to explore this further in the design process. I believe that sensitive and penetrating architectures that respond emotionally to users’ needs while retaining cultural memories are essential in today’s context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q6. To you, what makes a \u201cgood\u201d design?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For me, a “good” design goes beyond functionality, incorporating cultural sensitivity, emotional resonance, adaptability, and relevance to create spaces that foster connections, understanding, and identity among individuals and communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q7. Describe your design style and its main characteristics.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The concept of “collective ground” involves the introduction of rentable spaces within the community, encompassing both public areas and individual units. The approach shares economic pressures with tenants who have business demands. In addition, new people brought into the community through commercial activities also play a role in revitalizing the district. By providing rentable public spaces, additional communal areas are created to attract and serve visitors and existing residents, and by offering independent rooms within the units, owners have the option to use them personally or rent them out for additional income.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q8. Tell us about your design process.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The project is close to the unique ecologically sensitive Danxia Mountain Geopark, a world cultural heritage site, and is also at the intersection of several high-speed, national roads and railways. It is responsible for displaying the image of Danxia Mountain, Renhua County, and Shaoguan City to the outside world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, the project must be committed to fully integrating local and surrounding resources and advantages to create a regional large-scale landscape and become an iconic landscape node in the Shaoguan region. In the design, full consideration should be given to the creation of the urban interface of the main thoroughfares, the shaping of iconic public spaces and iconic buildings, and the distinctive and concise concept of architectural color and architectural volume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, it is necessary to provide a rich landscape with different characteristics and a sense of scale for the people active inside the base, to create a modern, advanced, and green city and architectural image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Q9. Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n My country and its cultural heritage have had a profound impact on my design process. My design philosophy is intrinsically intertwined with my experiences of cultural fusion, harmonious interactions, and the bridge between tradition and modernity. These experiences significantly shape my approach to architecture, inspiring designs that respond sensitively to cultural collisions, elevate emotional connections, and serve as expressions of cultural identities within the built environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outfit Club aims to tackle the sustainability challenge caused by frequent, unnecessary shipping and returns in online shopping. This problem often arises due to \u2026 (Read more at NY Product Design Awards<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n