We recently connected with Yining Ge and have shared our conversation below.

Yining, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

During my academic path at RISD, the first three years have been landing my focus on the very technical aspect of the design and making. Last fall, as I began thinking about my senior thesis project, I reflected on my previous studio practice and tried to change a little. Hence, I created a piece as a summary to my sophomore and junior and an initiation to my thesis project. Chisel is a cabinet that I designed. Cabinet making is a cornerstone of traditional handcraft woodworking, demanding the craftsman’s utmost attention to achieve flawless joineries. Drawing inspiration from dolmens – ancient stone monuments known for their simple yet powerful structural systems that consist of two or more upright stones supporting a large flat horizontal slab – I am designing a monolithic cabinet that mirrors the dolmens’ robust simplicity and moves away from the conventional emphasis on perfect joinery.  At the center of the cabinet, there is a drawer with a chisel silhouette, symbolizing the celebration of craft through the tool rather than the craftsmanship.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Yining Ge is a furniture designer currently based in Providence, RI. He primarily works with wood while also engaging in side projects involving metal, ceramics, and textiles. Drawing inspiration from monolithic structures, his studio practice explores the relationship between materiality and a graphic yet geometrical silhouette. Additionally, his work delves into the definition of functionality within utilitarian environments. Currently, Yining is in his final year pursuing a BFA in Furniture Design at the Rhode Island School of Design.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, it is rewarding seeing my pieces in use. I used to think it is rewarding to be able to be physically in the studio and working on my projects (don’t get me wrong I still do), or receiving a good critique. However, it has changed as I am more consider myself as a furniture designer. No matter it is during critiques to see my fellow classmates and professor to experience the function aspect of my pieces, stored in my studio space to explore their additional function, or at home for me to fully enjoy the pieces, I want my pieces to. live in a domestic space and serve a utilitarian function.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

This is a very interesting question for me, especially I am in my last semester in college and thinking about my career post-graduation. During school, we share a similar background with our studio practices. Most of the ideation and execution processes are transparent. The experience of sharing my work with audience who are less familiar with me is new. I am still on my way of exploring. Maybe providing sufficient content from my inspiration would be an easy way toward making my pieces more relatable to the general public?

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yiningge.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yining_ge/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiningge/