- Article published at:
- Article author: Ouder Li
The story begins at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in China, a prestigious institution known for cultivating talents in art and design. Monkey is one of its outstanding graduates. From a young age, he had a passion for design, showcasing exceptional design talent during his time at the academy.
In university, Monkey wasn’t just a student buried in design studios; he was also an explorer and innovator. He participated in numerous national design competitions, winning several awards. His design style blended traditional Eastern aesthetics with modern elements, earning praise from peers and professors.
After graduation, Monkey chose to stay in a small city in his hometown, working for a small but creatively vibrant design company. This company primarily designed clothing and accessories for local brands. Although the company was small, Monkey found a space for creative freedom. His keen eye for design trends and his ability to integrate traditional elements into modern designs resulted in stunning creations.
In his spare time, Monkey enjoyed browsing various design websites and forums to stay updated on global design trends and concepts. By chance, he discovered the Ouder brand on a design blog. He was deeply attracted by Ouder’s unique design philosophy and innovative spirit, especially the brand’s style of combining nature with modernity. As a design enthusiast, Monkey decided to purchase a few pairs of Ouder shoes to personally experience their design and quality.
Wearing Ouder shoes, Monkey felt the brand’s unique design philosophy and high-quality comfort. He shared his love for Ouder shoes on social media, detailing the design highlights and wearing experience of each pair. His posts garnered considerable attention and even received likes and recognition from Ouder’s official account.
Through further research, Monkey found out that Ouder was looking for new designers, especially those with unique insights and taste in design. He saw this as a rare opportunity and a platform to realize his design dreams. He decided to proactively contact Ouder, showcasing his work and design philosophy to the brand team.
The Ouder team was impressed by Monkey’s design talent and innovative spirit, quickly inviting him to join the brand. As a new member of Ouder, Monkey brought new vitality and creativity to the brand. With his unique design perspective, he perfectly blended traditional Eastern elements with modern fashion, creating a series of highly popular works that contributed significantly to Ouder’s success.
Monkey’s story is not only a designer’s growth journey but also a passionate and innovative adventure. Through his efforts and talent, he has demonstrated an endless love and pursuit of design, becoming a shining star in the Ouder brand.
Monkey's Innovations
After joining Ouder, Monkey brought his unique design perspective and creativity to the brand. Building on Boyd's foundation, Monkey innovated further, creating several popular series.
One of his signature works is the Smile Dreamer, Ouder's first collaboration with a renowned band. The Smile Dreamer merges Eastern elegance with modern minimalism, becoming a best-seller in the market.
Following this, Monkey introduced the Smile Aphrodite, inspired by the goddess Aphrodite, symbolizing purity and beauty, and positioned as the brand's "wedding shoes." This series is not only uniquely designed but also expresses the pursuit of beauty through meticulous craftsmanship.
Finally, Monkey's Smile Fusion uses zebra patterns as a base, cleverly integrating the Bagua symbol and various cultural elements, symbolizing the convergence and fusion of Eastern and Western cultures. This series' design is visually striking and deeply meaningful, earning high praise from consumers.