Honest Design

Zhang Fei

　　Dietramsz’s “Ten Principles of Design” is a theory from 50 years ago, yet over the course of his many years of creative practice, Teacher Zhang Fei has consistently reminded himself: “Design is honest.”—honest design—and this very principle serves as the theme of this lecture. He insists on always staying true to the essence of design and avoiding letting his work become overly commercial.

　　Designers often find themselves caught between self-expression and market demands—this is both challenging and inevitable. As you navigate the paths of architectural and industrial design, it’s worth regularly asking yourself: Are you being true to yourself? Are you creating work that is honest and authentic? After all, truly outstanding creations will ultimately earn genuine respect from others.