Interview
Meicheng Chi
1 Congratulations on winning the 乐发IV! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
I鈥檓 Meicheng Chi, currently working and living in New York as a multidisciplinary artist and designer, bridging fine art, illustration, and fashion accessory design. I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a BFA in Industrial Design and a Concentration in Drawing in 2022. My artistic journey started when I was three years old, drawing on everything I could find at home鈥攑aper, books, and even walls. Growing up in a creative environment with parents who are both designers and artists, I was encouraged to draw freely, without boundaries or restrictions. Drawing became my retreat, a way to process emotions and express myself authentically. Through it, I learned to embrace vulnerability, transforming feelings into colours and lines I could hold onto. To me, design is also about telling stories and evoking emotions, where I can translate my artistic vision into functional, tangible objects. Fashion accessories, in particular, feel like an extension of my drawings鈥攊ntimate, expressive, and deeply personal. I approach design with the same sensitivity and storytelling, crafting pieces that go beyond function to create emotional connections. For me, art and design are inseparable, constantly influencing and inspiring one another.
2 What does being recognised in the 乐发IV mean to you?
Being recognised by the 乐发IV for Summer Moss is a meaningful milestone in my design journey. This project was an exploration of how dreams, texture, and movement can come together in footwear design鈥攖ransforming an everyday object into a tactile and emotional experience. Like my approach to art, I design from a place of genuine expression, allowing ideas to evolve naturally through experimentation and storytelling. This recognition reinforces the importance of staying true to my creative vision and reminds me that authenticity in design can create a lasting connection with others.
3 What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
One of the most unusual sources of inspiration I鈥檝e drawn from was a train ride in Japan, travelling from Kyoto to Tokyo. Sitting by the window, I was struck by how deeply the landscape moved me鈥攖he long, stretching clouds, the rain, and the dark green mountains slowly unfolding into the distance, reaching the water. The hours on that train felt like watching a silent, slow-moving film. I captured the moment with countless videos and Polaroids of what I saw outside the window. This train ride became a profound influence, sparking a series of works that lasted for years and included drawings, videos, and more. The concept of 鈥渙utside the window鈥� has stayed with me ever since, walking me to inspiration for poetic art and designs.
4 What鈥檚 one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
The importance of bringing your emotional and personal side into the process. Design isn鈥檛 just about the look and the function鈥攊t鈥檚 also a way of expressing your point of view, your experiences, and even your vulnerabilities. When you let yourself be honest and open in your work, it creates a much deeper connection with others. That emotional layer is what makes the design feel human.
5 How do you navigate the balance between meeting client expectations and staying true to your ideas?
Balancing client expectations with my vision is about finding harmony between their needs, my creative instincts and what I believe in. I listen closely, understanding the story they want to tell, then bring it to life in a way that feels honest to my perspective. Constraints usually don鈥檛 limit me and in a way they guide me, pushing me to explore new possibilities within my design language. For me, the most meaningful work happens when I can weave emotion into function, creating pieces that are not just useful but deeply resonant. When something doesn鈥檛 align, I look for ways to bridge the gap, ensuring the final design stays true to both its purpose and my artistic voice.
6 What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
This was the first time I crafted a series of shoes entirely by hand, starting from scratch. I'm dedicated to bringing my ideas and stories to life by studying every detail and crafting each element with my own hands, creating something that feels truly authentic and personal. After designing the look and selecting materials that would convey the emotions I wanted to express, I dove into the technical side鈥攑attern-making, finding the right combinations, and assembling each part of the shoe. I hand-carved the wooden heel and carefully stitched it together with the shoe body. The process was a challenge, but I embraced it by taking the time to deeply study each component. I focused on the technical aspects, learning how to create patterns that would shape the form of the shoe beautifully. As I worked through the steps, I found problem-solving to be just as creative and poetic as the design itself, turning each challenge into an opportunity for exploration, and for appreciating the craftsmanship behind each step of footwear design.
7 How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
When I hit a creative block, I recharge by immersing myself in movies. I love going to independent movie theatres in the city, allowing myself to get lost in a film for a couple of hours. Sometimes, those moments in the cinema leave me feeling completely inspired, almost like I鈥檝e walked into a new perspective on the world and on my own life. I also flip through random books, whether at home or in a bookstore, and in these quiet, unexpected moments that I often find new ideas stirring within me, leading me to new creative sparkles.
8 What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
I want to remain genuine as a designer and artist and to trust in the strength that comes from staying true to myself throughout this journey. I believe that authenticity has a powerful resonance鈥攏ot just in the work I create but in how it connects with others. I allow my emotions, feelings, vulnerability, memories and experiences to shape my work organically, and create art that reflects my true self while inspiring others to connect with a tender part of their inner world.
9 What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
Staying grounded in what makes your perspective unique and staying true to yourself in the process of creating because the work that resonates most is the work that comes from a place of honesty. Speed, Perfection, and compromise occur along the way, but it鈥檚 essential to protect your own creative energy and personal reflection that comes from your true self.
10 If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with any designer, it would be Jonathan Anderson. His approach to design and storytelling is deeply inspiring to me鈥攈e has this remarkable ability to blend innovation with emotional depth in a way that feels both contemporary and timeless. Anderson鈥檚 work feels personal yet universal, capturing a sense of raw authenticity that resonates with people. His willingness to experiment with materials, forms, and ideas in unexpected ways really aligns with how I like to push boundaries in my own work. I find his work to be a constant exploration of identity, culture, and the human experience. His dedication to craftsmanship, valuing the skill and artistry of artisans around the world, and creating opportunities for young artists and designers to share their craftsmanship with the world is something I deeply admire and find meaningful.
