Red Dot Gala: Product Design 2025 Start Livestream: 8 July, 5:45 pm (CEST)
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Designer Profile

Interview with Peiheng Zhang

How do you adapt through feedback without compromising your vision?

I’ve realised two things: First, looking back, many of the feedback I’ve received—especially the constructive ones—have truly improved my work. But second, some feedback has interrupted my flow or diluted my original intent, and I’ve regretted not trusting my instincts. Now, I try to balance both—listening openly, experimenting, but also knowing when to hold on to ideas I believe in. Often, it’s through trying things my own way that the most refreshing and authentic ideas emerge.

How do you decide which ideas to nurture and which to let go?

Time and energy are limited, so ideas must be filtered. I always ask: Why am I doing this project? What do I want from it? Maybe it’s to learn a new tool, explore a trend, or create a whole new experience by merging two seemingly unrelated functions. Thinking beyond the initial excitement—toward what the idea could lead to—helps me decide what’s worth pursuing. Designers at different stages have different goals, so knowing your needs helps you choose what to focus on.

What is a non-design hobby or interest that impacts your creativity?

A non-design hobby that impacts my creativity is playing simulation and building games like Besiege, Kerbal Space Program, and BeamNG. These games challenge my creativity while deepening my understanding of physics and why things are designed the way they are. They also help me recognise the differences between entertainment design, concept design, and production design. That awareness—knowing where the boundaries are before trying to push them—is essential to my approach as a designer.