Meet Tianyu Wang | Artist & Architectural Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tianyu Wang and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Tianyu, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
As a designer, I believe that giving up has never been an option in my working process. Instead I choose to maintain an open mind and endless curiosity towards all possibilities, because I believe these are essential qualities of a good designer. Of course, in such a process, many ideas may not be realized initially, or after a series of experiments, we may find that they do not meet current needs. However, this does not mean these ideas are entirely discarded. Instead, they are temporarily set aside, waiting to be revisited and examined when needed in the future.
It is these countless ideas and attempts, accumulated over time, that ultimately shape my design career and way of thinking. I believe that only through continuous exploration and experimentation, continuous honing and tempering, we can walk further and deeper on the path of design.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My creative journey is fueled by an intrinsic love for the satisfaction and joy derived from the act of creation itself. As a child, I reveled in crafting my own toys and found joy in sharing them, finding a meaningful connection in the exchange of my creations. I’ve always held the belief that creating serves as a potent medium for expressing thoughts and encapsulating cherished memories. Every work is mulled over and refined numerous times, carrying within it a dense layer of my thoughts and ineffable intuition at that specific moment. Consequently, I made a firm decision to devote myself to the realm of design. I started my journey from Architectural design and received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in architecture from Wuhan University and Columbia University respectively, which laid a solid foundation for my subsequent design career. However, during my studies, I found that I did not want to confine my creativity to architectural design alone; what I sought was more freedom and space for personal expression. Therefore, after graduation, I chose to join the Norman Mooney Studio and thus began a new chapter in my journey of exploring my personal artistic path.
As an artist and architectural designer, my work balances logic with sentiment, existing in the sweet spot where rational thinking and emotional expression converge. I’m captivated by the aesthetic harmony arising from mathematical and logical elements like form, pattern, scale, and module. Searching for unique combinations that awaken a subconscious resonance – be it through tension or harmony – is the very heart of my creative process and ethos. This is intertwined with an enduring curiosity about nature and material properties, which further enriches my craft.
Navigating this creative journey, I lean on three pillars: imagination, technology, and intuition. Imagination sparks innovation and new ideas, while technology helps translate these ideas into tangible forms, navigating real-world constraints like gravity and material strength. I keep abreast of emerging technologies, expanding my understanding of the world and my imagination’s horizons. Intuition acts as a guide in my creative cycle of innovation, evaluation, refinement, and reinvention, nudging me towards improvements and deeper exploration. Although some intuitive impulses may not immediately make sense, reflection often unveils their significance, fostering deeper self-understanding and enriching my self-expression.
In summary, every step of my creative journey is filled with profound satisfaction and love. From the joy of self-expression in childhood to the decision to engage in design as an adult, and from architecture to a freer field of art, my creative journey has always been guided by a love for innovation, exploration, and understanding. This process is not only an exploration as an artist and designer but also a personal growth path in self-expression and self-understanding.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I strongly encourage my friends to explore the bridges over the East River. These bridges are remarkable works of human ingenuity, showcasing meticulous attention to detail. Their sheer magnitude is truly astounding. You will be impressed by the creativity and intelligence reflected in their construction. Their intricate yet sophisticated structures not only offer a captivating aesthetic appeal but also exemplify their functional efficiency. These bridges act as intuitive demonstrations of physics, integrating various principles seamlessly into their design to create a balance that is immediately noticeable. They represent not just marvels of engineering, but also embody the perfect fusion of design and art. Whether you’re standing on the bridge observing its vast reach, or looking up at the towering pillars, you’ll be overcome by the grandeur and majesty of these bridges.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Throughout the various stages of my design journey, countless individuals have provided me with support, guidance, and assistance. However, among all these people, the one I wish to express my deepest gratitude to is my grandmother, who instilled in me a passion for creation and craftsmanship. My grandmother, a humble retiree, diligently found joy in the ordinary aspects of daily life and shared this with a younger me. She deconstructed everyday objects, reassembled them, and created functional tools or simply attractive decorations. She possesses the freest of spirits, never confining herself to pre-defined norms. She has her own clever ways of understanding and arranging the things in the world. This profound influence has shaped me, leading me onto my path of creative work.
Website: tianyuwang.work
Instagram: tianyu___wang
Image Credits
Tianyu Wang; Norman Mooney Studio