Hello, I’m Wu Chien, Design Director at Yuan Design in Taiwan. Yuan Design was co-founded by myself and Huang Hsin-Yen, our Interior Software Director. The name “Yuan” (円) comes from the ancient character for “circle.” Our work is rooted in pursuing the essence of things, guided by the belief in the circle’s symbolism. Its purity, softness, and the balance between fullness and emptiness reflect the fundamental nature of the universe. The qualities of a circle remind us to return to our original intention—to reconsider the direction of life, to feel the warmth of everything around us, and to live in harmony. Starting from this core belief, we strive to connect people and design spaces that support a peaceful, comfortable life. Our brand vision is also embedded in the curve, carrying our hope for purity and a better way of living. We aim to be a bridge that leads everyone to the right choices.

Could you introduce one of your representative projects?

One of our key projects is an exhibition space titled “CATALOGUE.” When designing this space, we imagined it as a large-scale catalog, shaping every element around the concept of a book. The idea was for visitors to “flip through” the space—discovering beautiful chapters and lightly reading through the atmosphere, just like a physical book. We expressed the visual weight of a book cover through the design of the walls, while a circular lighting installation on the tall ceiling captured the dynamic feeling of wind as pages turn. The spatial outlines were delicately defined, with the main axis aligned to sunrise and sunset, creating a continuously evolving spatial experience.

The gallery is encircled by corridors and uses a variety of media to reflect nature’s rhythmic transitions. This allowed us to preserve the space as open and welcoming—for light, for the exhibits, and for visitors. We used cut and carve techniques to minimize visual boundaries and blend the partitions into the overall atmosphere. Natural light was drawn into the corridors, and exterior views were brought indoors to reveal hidden aesthetics throughout the space. This project explored new possibilities for exhibition design, providing visitors with an immersive experience akin to reading a book.

Where did the concept of using a book as the theme for the space come from?

When we first visited the site, we were struck by its unique topography and architectural features. We wanted to develop a plan that would break away from conventional exhibition layouts. After considering the natural elements of wind, light, and greenery—along with the project’s inherent characteristics—the idea of a life-sized catalog emerged. We envisioned the entire space as a large, physical catalog, where each “page” represented a curated exhibition zone.

Our goal was to design a space that didn’t just display works but invited visitors to explore it as they would flip through a book, discovering something new at each turn. The large circular lighting fixture in the main hall symbolizes the movement of air when a page turns. Perforations in the exhibit walls enhanced natural lighting and created visual links to the surrounding greenery. This concept encouraged visitors to engage with the space in a more dynamic and thoughtful way, resulting in highly positive feedback on the overall experience.

How does customer experience influence space design?

While customer experience may not directly change a space’s physical design, it has a significant indirect impact. We believe that a comfortable environment encourages better communication, which allows for deeper and more meaningful conversations. For a designer, dialogue and understanding naturally influence the design process. Designing a home or space is an important and life-shaping endeavor, and we strive to approach it with precision and care. In our CATALOGUE project, which received great feedback from both clients and visitors, we witnessed the importance of user experience firsthand. The way visitors moved through the space closely aligned with our original intentions, yet they also had the freedom to explore and linger as they wished—just like choosing a chapter in a book. This flexibility in movement and experience gave people a greater sense of satisfaction, and ultimately left a positive impression of our brand.

How does Yuan Design approach communication and promotion?

We value sharing and documentation, which led us to publish a monthly digital magazine on our website. It began as a way to preserve internal ideas and reflections, but quickly evolved into something like a “company diary.” It allows us to continuously record and share our thoughts and processes. Although it's hard to measure the magazine’s direct impact on sales or publicity, many readers have expressed genuine interest and enjoyment. Rather than chasing outcomes, we focus on doing what we love. By sharing our design journal, we believe we’re naturally contributing to building a community, strengthening our network, and communicating our brand in a more authentic and meaningful way.

What new goals do you hope to pursue in the future?

Our future goal is to incorporate graphic design concepts into interior design, creating spaces that are easier for people to understand and emotionally connect with. Recently, we’ve also been exploring ways to introduce art into people’s everyday lives—curating paintings and floral installations as artistic expressions that integrate with residential design. This approach goes beyond traditional interior design, offering clients a new and enriched lifestyle experience. We also plan to continue publishing our monthly digital magazine as a way to reflect and share our design journey. In addition, we aim to participate more actively in international design awards and exchange events, strengthening our global presence. As a brand, we want to elevate our studio into a space where visiting us feels as comfortable and inspiring as walking into a favorite café—offering a seamless and complete customer experience from beginning to end.