Zheng He Tells a Story in Through Time, With Flowers and the Moon

Thank you. I am Zheng He, a designer specializing in Landscape Preservation Design with a passion for jewelry. I hold dual master’s degrees in Landscape Design and Preservation Design, and I have been working to combine ecological restoration, cultural heritage preservation, and contemporary design to create spaces rich in life and historical significance.

My design journey began with a deep reverence for nature and history. I believe that design is not only a process of creating beauty but also a means of engaging in dialogue with the environment, culture, people, and society. Historical buildings, natural landscapes, and cultural memories carry human emotions and a sense of belonging.

Through design, I hope to preserve these precious elements and revitalize them within contemporary society.

Being recognized by the MUSE Design Awards means a great deal to me. It is not only an affirmation of my design philosophy and practice, but also an encouragement to continue pursuing the path of landscape conservation and ecological design with greater determination.

This award has shown me that the value of design lies not only in the beauty of form, but also in its ability to influence people's emotions and lifestyles. It reinforces my belief that preserving history, respecting nature, and creating new possibilities within that context is where the true power of design lies.

I hope to use this opportunity to draw more attention to ecological restoration, cultural heritage, and sustainable design—and to explore, together with others, a future in which humanity lives in harmony with nature.

Winning the MUSE Design Awards was a significant boost for both my career and my team. This achievement has opened up broader opportunities for collaboration, including in-depth exchanges with professional organizations, academic institutions, and related industries.

At the same time, it has helped raise public awareness of the importance of landscape design in both the humanities and ecological conservation, encouraging more people to engage in the field and explore the possibility of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.

Experimentation plays a central role in my jewelry designs, allowing me to explore the infinite possibilities of material, form, and emotional expression. I believe that jewelry is not merely a decorative object, but also a narrative medium capable of carrying the power of nature and personal stories.

For example, in creating the You When Like a Bird Flies to Your Mountain bracelet, I sought to combine the energy and symbolism of various natural gemstones—such as green phantom, aquamarine, and larimar—and to visualize the themes of freedom and growth through finely carved bird-shaped elements. Throughout this process, I continuously experiment with different arrangements to discover the design that best reflects the beauty of nature and conveys emotional resonance.

This spirit of experimentation transforms my jewelry into more than just ornaments—they become symbols of personal growth and spiritual journey.

An unusual source of inspiration for me comes from the vastness of the universe. The movement of stars and planets, and the energy that flows through the cosmos, inspired me to design the Love You in Every Universe bracelet. This piece is made from natural gemstones such as petalite, chrysoberyl, aquamarine, green phantom, and tiger's eye—each with colors and textures that resemble miniature planets, symbolizing the mystery and infinite possibilities of the universe.

Through this design, I hope the wearer can feel the energy of the cosmos and, at the same time, be encouraged to be as brave as the stars—exploring the unknown and discovering their own trajectory. This is not just a piece of jewelry, but a reflection on dreams, the universe, and life’s journey.

I want more people to understand the value of interdisciplinary thinking in the design process. Whether I’m designing landscapes or jewelry, I examine how space, texture, and symbolism interact. For example, in my jewelry inspired by natural landscapes, I carefully select stones that reflect geological formations and ecological elements.

Similarly, in landscape design, I consider how materials and forms shape human experience. By exploring these connections, my goal is to create designs that not only fulfill functional or aesthetic purposes but also evoke deeper emotions.

Balancing client expectations with my design philosophy requires communication and mutual understanding. I begin by listening carefully to the client’s needs and vision, aiming to understand their cultural background, preferences, and the project’s actual goals. With this deeper understanding, I can identify common ground and develop a design that aligns with both their expectations and my values.

The biggest challenge in creating Flowers and Moon Phases was conveying the passage of time through jewelry. I wanted to express the cycle of life and a sense of poetry through the blossoming of flowers and the changing phases of the moon.

To achieve this, I chose moonstone—symbolizing moonlight—and crystal inclusions to represent the recording of time. I also used metal craftsmanship with flowing lines to illustrate time’s trajectory. By continually adjusting the materials and structure, I created a piece that is both philosophical and emotionally resonant for the wearer.

When I encounter a creative bottleneck, I step away from my design for a while and reconnect with nature or explore other art forms. For example, I might take a walk to observe the growth patterns of plants or admire paintings and architecture to discover new sources of inspiration.

I also review my past work and revisit my original design intentions, rethinking them from different perspectives. Sometimes, a shift in viewpoint, a change of material, or even a conversation with friends can lead to a breakthrough and spark new ideas.

My designs are deeply influenced by my personal experiences and values, especially my concern for nature, cultural memory, and emotional expression. I believe that design is not only a presentation of aesthetics but also a way for people to connect with the world.

In my jewelry creations, I often use natural gemstones and imagery from nature—such as stars, mountains, rivers, and flowing water—to tell stories of growth, exploration, and emotional resonance. At the same time, my designs incorporate themes of historical preservation and sustainability, aiming to evoke reflections on time, the cycle of life, and natural energy.

Each piece of jewelry is not just an accessory but also a vessel of memories and emotions, accompanying the wearer on their unique journey.

Design is like a shimmering light in the universe, carrying the weight of thought and flowing with the poetry of perception. It is not merely the shaping of the world but resonates with time and coexists with all things.

Successful designers, like travelers, journey through the unknown, unafraid of fog and solitude. They listen to the whispers of the wind, capture the flow of light and shadow, and find their star trajectory in the space between breaking and reshaping.

If I could work with any designer, I would choose Kengo Kuma. His designs emphasize the harmony between humans and nature, and he excels at using natural materials to make buildings blend seamlessly with their environment rather than dominating it.

This philosophy resonates with me because, in jewelry design, I too aim to move away from the luxury of traditional jewelry and return the piece to nature as a gentle connection between people and the world.

I want people to ask me, "With your jewelry designs, are you creating objects or telling stories?" My answer is: I never think of myself as just designing jewelry, but as weaving stories and carrying emotions with natural crystals. Each stone has experienced billions of years and holds the energy of the universe and the memory of nature.

I hope my designs allow the wearer to feel the weight of time and, at the same time, discover their own story within the jewelry—whether it's a memory, a belief, or a deeper connection with the world. Jewelry is not just an embellishment; it is a language, a whisper about humanity and nature, about self and the world.

I hope that when people wear my works, they feel the poetry and flow of life, as if touching a falling leaf or a drop of morning dew.