Today we’d like to introduce you to Minghui Ma
Hi Minghui, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My first encounter with interior designers dates back to when I was ten years old, when I was house hunting with my parents and developed an interest in analyzing floor plans. This early curiosity planted a seed in my heart that did not grow until high school. Two years of intensive art training laid the foundation for my aesthetic awareness, and at the same time I had a systematic understanding of color and graphics. I was surprised and explored the unique emotional expression ability of design. At the Savannah College of Art and Design, this seed slowly bore fruit. I expanded my expertise in space planning, material application, and furniture design, and went beyond the aesthetic level to embrace a sustainable and people-oriented design philosophy. These experiences taught me to balance analysis-driven rational thinking with emotion-driven artistic vision, and to approach each project with precision and creativity, ensuring that each space is not only rigorous and practical, but also resonates emotionally and creates emotional dependence. I was determined to strive to create environments that are both beautiful and meaningful on the way to becoming a designer who understands how to influence people.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road to design is not always smooth. When I first entered SCAD to pursue my master’s degree, I faced an unprecedented challenge – how to adapt to this fast-paced, critical thinking-driven creative environment. As a student accustomed to a structured and orderly design process, the openness and freedom advocated by SCAD courses made it difficult for me to adapt for a while. The design concept here emphasizes conceptual storytelling and people-oriented, which is a new way of thinking that contrasts sharply with my previous experience. In the first few months, I often fell into a vortex of self-doubt, worrying that my ideas were not bold enough and questioning whether my creativity was innovative enough.
In my early design projects, I was always timid and conservative, tending to follow the design principles of my predecessors. Compared with boldly exploring unconventional solutions, it is always safe to design works based on experience. This cautious attitude is fully reflected in my works – although the design works are complete, they lack self-characteristics and exquisite originality. Whenever I stand in the studio and watch my classmates’ unrestrained creative displays, I always feel a little uneasy: Do I really have the ability to break through myself and surpass my limits?
However, through constant feedback from professors, in-depth exchanges with classmates, and self-reflection, I gradually realized that design is not just a pile of technology, but also a way to express oneself and explore the unknown. It is not a conventional rule, but another way to convey thinking to the world. I began to try to use design to describe the advocated life philosophy, incorporate bolder elements and colors, pay attention to the user’s spatial experience, and combine the structurality of architecture and space. I learned how to integrate emotions and stories into space through narrative design techniques, so that each design work can resonate with users.
In this process, I gradually got rid of the constraints of the past, began to embrace uncertainty, and found the joy of creation. I realized that true innovation does not come from following the rules, but breaking the rules and challenging the limits of oneself. Through continuous attempts and iterations, my design style has gradually become more confident and unique, and my works have begun to show unprecedented vitality and depth.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I previously worked as an interior designer at the architecture firm Gensler, a professional and dynamic team that is well-respected throughout the industry. My work experience there provided me with valuable opportunities to work on large-scale design projects and sharpened my skills in space planning and concept development. More importantly, it helped me discover my true passion – hospitality design. I am drawn to hospitality projects because they offer a unique intersection of functionality and experience, where design can shape emotions, influence interactions, and improve the overall guest journey. I love the challenge of creating spaces that are both inviting and memorable, striking the perfect balance between aesthetics, comfort, and practicality.
One of my proudest achievements in hospitality design is my business hotel restaurant project, which won several international awards, including the 2025 French Design Award – Gold, 2024 London Design Award – Gold, 2024 New York Architecture Design Award – Silver, 2024 APR – International Interior Design Award – Silver, and the International Design Award (IDA) – Honorable Mention. This award-winning project is a restaurant and social hub within a business hotel, designed to facilitate seamless transitions between vibrant social events and quiet, intimate moments. By combining layered arcs and fluid structures, I aimed to create a dynamic yet cohesive environment that allows guests to easily switch between socializing and relaxing. As a designer, my ultimate goal is to create spaces that are not only visually striking, but also greatly enrich the way people feel and interact. Hospitality design, in particular, allows me to explore how spatial design can enhance connections between people – whether it’s promoting meaningful conversations in a social lounge or providing a moment of solitude in a carefully designed retreat. In each project, I strive to create environments that go beyond aesthetics to provide immersive and practical experiences that meet the needs of business and leisure travelers.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe that as a designer, the courage to try and keep exploring are crucial qualities. Design is not only the pursuit of beauty, but also a process of constantly challenging oneself and breaking boundaries. Only by daring to step out of the comfort zone can we discover new possibilities, inspire more creative ideas, and continuously improve our professional abilities. Every attempt and exploration, even if it fails, is an opportunity for growth, which motivates me to keep improving on the road of design. Therefore, I always maintain an open mind, dare to accept new challenges, and create more profound and meaningful space designs by constantly innovating and breaking through myself.
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