Mia Zuo, Deputy Director of the Chinese magazine YIN and YINJISPACE.COM, manages the platform alongside her partner and editor, Dylan Jiang. Together, they have created a space that forges unique connections between design, architecture, and culture. Since its founding in 2017, this platform has fostered international dialogue by skillfully blending local stories with global perspectives. The projects they carefully curate and the design tours they have recently launched aim to show the world that design is not just about form but often carries a much deeper meaning.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO
YINJISPACE was founded by Jiang in 2017, with I joined the team as a partner in 2019. Before its establishment, Jiang accumulated eight years of experience in interior design, while I had an equivalent amount of time working in the design media industry. YINJISPACE has always focused on designers’ growth and development, aiming to enhance people’s taste in life and aesthetic values through design.
Initially, we primarily showcased outstanding international design works and creative case studies. However, with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and the inability to hold offline events, we shifted to offering online public lectures and masterclasses, which facilitated communication and interaction among designers worldwide. After the pandemic, we began to expand our focus to design study tours, further promoting cross-cultural exchange, broadening personal perspectives and creative thinking, and helping designers achieve higher levels of growth and breakthroughs in the context of globalization.
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHICH PROJECTS TO PUBLISH?
We believe that every exceptional design project is the result of the collective effort of many contributors. From the owners and clients, to the design team, material suppliers, and construction workers, each individual has played a vital role in bringing the project to life. Therefore, creating a great design is no easy task. When selecting projects, we consider multiple dimensions, including the integration of the site with its natural surroundings, the atmosphere created within the space, the texture of materials, the coordination of furniture and soft furnishings, as well as the overall artistic taste, among other factors.
As a media platform, we are also aware of our limitations. At times, we can only present design works through images and videos, which often fail to fully convey the design logic and creative concepts behind the projects. Relying too heavily on visual materials may lead to a one-dimensional interpretation, overlooking the deeper design philosophy and cultural context.
TELL US ABOUT YINTOUR, HOW DID THE IDEA COME ABOUT?
We have always placed great importance on the growth of designers. In today’s highly connected digital age, many designers’ learning is often limited to images or fragmented information found online. However, exceptional projects require firsthand experience—feeling the architecture, sensing the atmosphere of the site, and exploring the regional cultures and lifestyles of different countries in order to gain a continuous stream of inspiration. This is why we launched the Yintour program, aiming to accompany designers as we travel around the world, experiencing diverse design styles and local cultures.
We firmly believe that design is not just about visual presentation; it also requires in-depth communication and discussion with local designers. At the same time, in order to expand the boundaries of the discipline, we invite not only architects but also furniture designers, artists, traditional craftsmen, exhibition curators, and magazine editors, among other outstanding professionals, to join our study tours. Through this cross-disciplinary exchange, designers can broaden their personal perspectives and ignite boundless creativity.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU AS A BRAND?
We have always placed great importance on the value of branding. Despite China’s vast population and rapidly growing economy, there are still significant gaps in the design field compared to developed countries. For a long time, the Chinese design media brands we are familiar with have mostly been the Chinese versions of international media brands, lacking truly local platforms with an independent perspective on Chinese design.The mission of YINJISPACE is to establish an international design media platform rooted in China yet globally oriented. Born and nurtured in China, we consistently uphold international standards and perspectives, striving to provide a broader stage for Chinese design and to align with global design trends.
HOW DO YOU SEE THE BRAND EVOLVING IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS?
Although we have achieved some success in the design field, there is still some prejudice towards Chinese design media on the international stage. We hope to gradually change this perception through continuous effort, showcasing the innovation and unique charm of Chinese design. At the same time, we believe that focusing solely on design is not enough. In the coming years, we aim to expand YINJISPACE from an international design media platform into a comprehensive lifestyle aesthetics platform, covering areas such as lifestyle, fashion, art, and travel, and creating more diverse and in-depth content.
We will also strive to facilitate project exchange and collaboration between Chinese and international designers, promoting the entry of top international designers and artists into the Chinese market, while simultaneously bringing China’s local design talents to the international stage, fostering interaction and integration within the global design community.
HOW WAS YOUR VISIT TO RI HOUSE?
Visiting RI HOUSE is an exceptional immersive experience. The space strikes a perfect balance between modern minimalism and a warm atmosphere, with the unrestrained use of negative space carrying infinite possibilities. Every detail beautifully showcases Francesc Rifé’s minimalist order and quiet lyrical expression.
WHAT IS THE SPACE YOU LOVE?
The spaces we love are simple and pure, free from unnecessary decorations and excessive artificial lighting, seeking harmony with nature. Ample natural light complements minimalist yet tactile materials, blending seamlessly with natural textures to present a rustic yet refined aesthetic tone. The relaxed feeling in the design may appear effortless and casual, yet it contains exquisite details. This is a space that allows us to reconnect with primal energy and tranquility, establishing a deep connection between people, nature, and the essence of life.
