Wai Ho Cheung

I originally majored in Physics at The University of Manchester. After a year, I realised that I preferred to make my own creation which gave me more satisfaction. Then I changed the study to Industrial Product Design at Coventry University. Following the 9-months internship at By-Georgsen S.L., Spain, I have worked at Shenzhen Mannay Cosmetics Co., Ltd. in China for 2 years. I was responsible for all design-related aspects of interior design and product design, including packaging design. Then I have interned at Karim Rashid China in 2017. Currently I am a freelance designer undertaking product, packaging, graphic, interior design and furniture design.

I have not founded any design studio yet unfortunately. Currently, I am looking for a design job in Europe.

I like furniture design most, particularly in Scandinavian style which is simple, natural and minimal.

The universe. It is beautiful and essential; it is untouchable but amiable; it is simpler than what you understood but more complicated than what you thought.

The first design was the showcase, Ferris Wheel for Shenzhen Mannay Cosmetics Co., Ltd. and the first complete design project was to design and visual merchandise for their first retail shops, Cutyland. Please visit my online portfolio at http://waihocheung.wixsite.com/waihocheung for detail regarding my design project.

I like Scandinavian furniture which is mainly made of natural materials like wood to provide the feeling of nature but I realised that the material I used most was plastic and metal. To improve and diverse my design style, I will keep learning and practicing on different kinds of material and technology.

In my opinion, we have a simple but difficult mission as designers: to make things to improve quality of life. Design is not art, so the key must be functionality. However, products with pure functionality usually look clumsy and unwelcome. So I always focus on a question: how to make the functional part as a part of authenticity or vice versa.

Certainly, I will have different emotions when I design different things; usually I feel blissfulness when I get inspirations instantly.

I remembered when the first showcase I designed for Mannay was produced; I was inexplicably excited due to my first commercial design had come out. Until now, I still think it is amazing and unbelievable every time I see my designs are produced.

It depends on the point of view. For sure, a win-win situation must be economic, long-lasting authentic and functional for all manufacturers, retailers and customers.

Nothing is absolutely good or bad, unless you give out some constraints. For example, you will not say that a shelter is a good design before you know a disaster is coming. Therefore, I would say a good design is the right answer for the right question at the right moment.

I remember I answered something similar during the first year of the study: While we think we are designer and creating something good, we are a part of the industrial activity which destroys the world most. Besides, when you try to find the replacement, it might be even worse. For example, during the Earth Hour, people do not turn on the lights but instead they may do other activities which cause even more pollution. Thus, I think the responsibility is not because of our profession, but as humans, that we may need to think how we can be humans with better mentality.

I think smart products and 3D printing technology are the milestones in the design field in this decade and smart products will keep improving to be more intelligent and dominate the products in every field; in the meantime, 3D printing technology will make every single design ‘specifically general’, which means the same product can be tailor-made for customer that is more ergonomic.

Last time, I exposed during Fuorisalone 2017, Milan at Din-Design In 2017 by Promotedesign.it and I hope I will exhibit as many as I can in the rest of the year.

For my work, I usually reference the current products and showcase then try to translate into a unique design; for my self-direct projects, I usually get inspirations in dreams, so I just feed my creativity every night. In fact, I always keep attention to the surroundings because I believe the nature is the best designer.

Personally, I think the more advanced civilisation becomes, the fewer accessories will be used, as accessories have now become a functional part in everyday life. For example, a watch is no longer simply used as a statement piece of jewellery, but is used to tell the time. In other words, even accessories are functional. I also have an interest in combining ancient geometry with current techniques, such as ergonomics. Thus, I would describe my style as making functionality authentically.

I live in Hong Kong and I spent quite a lot of time in U.K. In U.K., I had the freedom and time to think but making prototypes were expensive; Hong Kong is an international city with various people and cultures and it is close to China, which makes prototyping much more efficient; however, here is many distractions as other megacities do. Besides, my culture, particularly I Ching(易經) affects me very much, not only on the designs, but the concept and philosophy of life.

I worked as a designer in the companies I worked for and I was responsible for all design-related aspects of product design and interior design. Besides, I used to control the time and cost for the production of showcases.Currently I am a freelance designer undertaking product, packaging, graphic, interior design and furniture design.

I suggest that companies can give out the design brief at the beginning as detailed as possible and be confident on the projects and the designers. Meanwhile, designer is a profession involves in creativity, so for companies, I suggest they can set up some open questions for the candidates.

Most of my inspirations come from my dreams. So I have a notebook next to me. I will draw the images out and then I will try to puzzle the whole design by searching reference, sketching and CAD modelling. For my work, I usually reference the current products and showcase then try to translate into a unique design for the company.

Monopoly, flush toilet, vacuum cleaner, sofa bed (especially my design, Dimension), Arctic, Liquid Glacial Table

I will write a to-do list when I wake up or the day before to ensure I will follow up everything I should. Depends on the stage of the current projects, I will keep reading magazines and surfing the internet if they are at the beginning; I will keep thinking and sketching if they are on the right track. I can say I have improved as a human recently: I can fully concentrate on the projects at work, so it will not be boring at all; if I ever meet a boring business day, I would like to take a short nap, due to the brain always keep thinking as a designer.

Conceptually, I don’t agree with ‘thinking outside the box’. When you think outside the box means you still realise there is a boundary. Although designers always have constrains to do design, such as ergonomics, thinking should be limitless. So the first step is to take away the label, ‘designer’ and to explore your own philosophy about life, then you will know what the best design(s) should be.

Designer is the profession allows me to fulfil my creativity also which is the profession I can use most of my skills. These are the opinions I can tell, but I cannot find the negatives because I love my profession.

In Chinese, we have a motto, ‘a calf would not be scared by tigers(初生之犢不畏虎)'. This means that a new-born animal will not fear challenges and will explore the world with curiosity and without assumptions, which I believe is a key attribute in a great designer.

Creativity, passion, the way of thinking and the ability to present the ideas.

I used pencils, Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, 3ds Max, Rhinoceros, Solidworks, my brain and my heart.

To me, the most time-consuming part would be finding inspiration and translating it into a real object. Consequently, I always try to catch as many inspirations as I can to enrich my library.

It depends on how detailed I need to work on the project. Usually I finish a project from 2weeks to a month, but few of my projects took me even more than a year.

All opportunities I have had were important to me, but the internship at By-Georgsen S.L., Spain was the life-changing one. My foundations for furniture design were laid under the guidance from Mr. Morten Georgsen and his professional design team; the work experience at Shenzhen Mannay Cosmetics Co., Ltd. provided me a lot of freedom of creation; the internship at Karim Rashid China had strengthened my presentation skills.

Fernbaby (China) at Karim Rashid ChinaVIDA & Co. for my fashion designAn Italian couple for my furniture design

I enjoy every kind of design I can handle, but the most in furniture design because it is the field I have the most inspirations.

1. Find a job in Europe relating to product design, especially furniture design2. Try to sell my designs3. I have few storylines that I want to cooperate with Mr. Christopher Nolan or The Wachowskis.4. Remind people about happiness

Currently I am a freelance designer undertaking product, packaging, graphic, interior design and furniture design.

For my self-project, I have uncountable ideas waiting for further development, so I have no clue where I should start to explain unfortunately.

Website: http://waihocheung.wix.com/waihocheungWatsapp: +85263301863Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wai-ho-cheung-0a6ab96bE-mail: waiho_hunter@hotmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lycoritocheung/

I promised myself that if I had chance to speak publicly, I would encourage my favourite football player, the former Manchester United Brazilian, Luis Anderson. I believe Anderson still have chance to become a top class player, please does not give up; that is the thing I also want to tell everyone: stand for your dreams and step out your comfort zone.

Following the 9-months internship at By-Georgsen S.L., Spain, I have worked at Shenzhen Mannay Cosmetics Co., Ltd. in China for 2 years. I was responsible for all design-related aspects of interior design and product design, including packaging design. Then I have interned at Karim Rashid China in 2017. Currently I am a freelance designer undertaking product, packaging, graphic, interior design and furniture design.

I originally majored in Physics at The University of Manchester, UK. After a year, I realised that I preferred to make my own creation which gave me more satisfaction. Then I changed the study to Industrial Product Design at Coventry University, UK. Just one year after graduation, I was selected to participate in Din-Design In 2016 during Fuorisalone, Milan, which gave me a booster to become a designer.

Personally, I think the more advanced the civilisation becomes, the fewer accessories will be used, as accessories have now become a functional part in everyday life, such as a watch. In other words, my design concept is making decorations even functional. From practical aspect, I always try to simplify the types of material used, number of manufacture processes etc. I also have an interest in combining ancient geometry with modern techniques, such as ergonomics. Due to working as a freelancer, I usually work on paper modelling and CAD modelling after developing the ideas through sketches.

Certainly, I will have different emotions when I design different things; usually I feel blissfulness when I get inspirations instantly.

After the internships at By-Georgsen S.L. and Karim Rashid China, my team-working and presentation skills have been greatly developed, which are the essential skills to designers. It is because design is a subject to improve users’ quality of life, for no doubt communication with clients and the team is very important in order to understand each other. At the meantime, I would say my scientific background is very crucial for my career. When I studied Physics, left-brained logical mind was key factor; when I do design, the ability on graphics and aestheticity are essential, which are functions of right-brain. Thus, I can always find the balance between reality and imagination and make the designs come true. Meanwhile, I usually apply the concept of physics on my designs.

I was born and raised in Hong Kong; also I spent quite a lot of time in U.K. Before I decided to be a designer, I studied Physics in fact. When I changed the subject I studied, I knew it was the thing for me because I had a strong feeling on design. In the near future, I would like to find a full-time job in Europe relating to product design, especially furniture design. Once I have become a designer recognised by international award and exhibitions, I knew my dream had come true. Since then, every project profitable is all my dream project. For sure, it will be even better if my furniture designs can be produced 100% according to the original design. In addition, I have few storylines that I want to turn them into the films. If I can cooperate with Mr. Christopher Nolan or The Wachowskis to develop the stories, my dream will come true.

Conceptually, I don’t agree with ‘thinking outside the box’. When you think outside the box means you still realise there is a boundary. Although designers always have constrains to do design, such as ergonomics, thinking should be limitless. So the first step is to take away the label, ‘designer’ and to explore your own philosophy about life, then you will know what the best design(s) should be.

When I have conversations with other designers, many of them tell me that the discussion with clients is more or less the most difficult part. Thus, the communication skills are very important. Besides, designers always have different clients in various fields. I suggest designers can do volunteering. You will able to train up your communication skills and you will know sometimes human are easy to be pleased with an even not-so-fancy object, once it is useful to them.In Chinese, we have a motto, ‘a calf would not be scared by tigers(初生之犢不畏虎)’. This means that a new-born animal will not fear challenges and will explore the world with curiosity and without assumptions. I believe keeping the passion and humbleness is also a key attribute in a great designer.

I will write a to-do list when I wake up or the day before to ensure I will follow up everything I should. Depends on the stage of the current projects, I will keep reading magazines and surfing the internet if they are at the beginning; I will keep thinking and sketching if they are on the right track. I can say I have improved as a human recently: I can fully concentrate on the projects at work, so it will not be boring at all; if I ever meet a boring business day, I would like to take a short nap, due to the brain always keep thinking as a designer.

When you ask all the masters in art and design about it, I think they would say ‘I am the start of the trends’. Thus, I think only 3 situations design trends do matter: 1. when you are designing products for a very short period 2. when you are not confident of you style 3. when you are a journalist. If I need to work with the design trend, I would read fashion magazines and have conversation with other designers.

Nothing is absolutely good or bad, unless you give out some constraints. For example, you will not say that a shelter is a good design before you know a disaster is coming. Therefore, I would say a good design is the right answer for the right question at the right moment.

Depends on the time, even good design can become the worst. For example, if you bring the B&W TV to this generation, it is definitely an unwanted product. So design is always able to evolve to fit the users’ need at the specific timing and situation. When I work on my own projects, I will improve it until I think it is perfect and I always bear in mind that the design could be evolved whilst I have new inspiration; when I work on projects for clients, luckily I am still passionate on my profession; I will try to satisfy the clients as much I can.

Up to now, the project I am proud of the most is the Arctic coffee table, which awarded Bronze A’ Design Award 2016-17, although it is one of the quickest projects I have finished. Arctic is the design fulfilling the most of my design concepts. It is the product combing functional decorations, simple manufacture processes, single type of material used, visual illusions and the knowledge of ancient culture and geometry. The form is inspired by tidal wave hence the inspiration is conducted to mathematical sinusoidal wave with the keyword, wave. In the meantime, the functionality is inspired by park bench slats; the structure of the slats with gaps in between is considered to be highly functional. In Chinese Five Elements, the corresponding direction and colour to Water element is north and black. Thus, it is named as the largest ocean in the north, Arctic.

My favourite designers are Zaha Hadid, who was very good at playing with curves and liquid shapes and H. R. Giger, who created Alien with the simplest and purest elements but already enough to make everyone scared, yet he inspired the thinking in life-form. If I was given a chance, I would like to talk with the architect who designed The Giza pyramid complex, who was also created a big impact to me.

I live in Hong Kong and I spent quite a lot of time in U.K. In U.K., I had the freedom and time to think but making prototypes were expensive; Hong Kong is an international city with various people and cultures and it is close to China, which makes prototyping much more efficient; however, here is many distractions as other megacities do. Besides, my culture, particularly I Ching(易經) affects me very much, not only on the designs, but the concept and philosophy of life.

I am a sole designer currently. My life-time goal is to remind people about happiness, so I do not mind to work with people with different characteristics, as I will consider it as a practice. However, if I look for a business partner, integrity would be a key factor.

As a designer, I once donated my participation reward of an exhibition to an NGO. As a normal human, sometimes I do volunteering to take care of the minority in society. Moreover, I am always using my own way to try to remind people about happiness.

It is a good way to promote myself and my designs to the world and a good way to connect with other awarded designers.

I originally majored in Physics at The University of Manchester. After a year, I changed the study to Industrial Product Design at Coventry University. I used to be intern at By-Georgsen S.L., Spain and Karim Rashid China, China and work in Shenzhen Mannay Cosmetics Co., Ltd., China. I have also designed a collection of fashion.

Whist I was studying Physic, I realised that I preferred to make my own creation which gave me more satisfaction.

I chose to become a designer, but maybe I can say I was forced to be by my bag of skills.

I would like to do product design, especially furniture design. For sure, I will challenge myself if my clients want me to design things in different fields.

Designer is a kind of job that you have to involve in many processes and hence you need to have so much different knowledge and various angles of observation. Therefore, the first step is to take away the label, ‘designer’ and to explore your own philosophy about life, then you will know what the best design(s) should be.

In Chinese, we have a motto, ‘a calf would not be scared by tigers(初生之犢不畏虎)’. This means that a new-born animal will not fear challenges and will explore the world with curiosity and without assumptions, which I believe is a key attribute in a great designer.

Nothing is absolutely good or bad, unless you give out some constraints. For example, you will not say that a shelter is a good design before you know a disaster is coming. Therefore, I would say a good design is the right answer for the right question at the right moment.

Design is a subject to improve the usage of tools, no matter in shapes, methods or materials. Therefore, a good design can at least make the functionality and hence the money spent more efficiently. In addition with the calculation on authenticity, this can catch people’s attention in order to increase the sales.

From the question ‘if you had the time’, I assume you are asking about my design at leisure. For my self-direct projects, I would design whatever I could think or get the ideas, which are assigned to nobody specifically, only people interested in mine.

For my self-direct project, I have uncountable ideas waiting for further development. But one dream project I particularly want to realise is my sci-fi story concept, which is about alien abduction, dimensions and Tai Ji (太極). I hope it able to be filmed and to cooperate with Mr. Christopher Nolan or The Wachowskis.

Most of my inspirations come from my dreams. I will draw the images out and then I will try to puzzle the whole design by searching reference, sketching and CAD modelling. Certainly, my secret ingredient is my passion.

Mr. Morten Georgsen, Mr. Karim Rashid, Mr. Marcel Wanders, Ms. Zaha Hadid, H. R. Giger and Michelangelo.

I like Zaha Hadid’s Liquid Glacial Tables very much, because she played excellently with the rippling surface.

I think Dimension and Arctic are the designs which can mostly represent my design style, especially Arctic; aesthetics also means functionality. Moreover, with one material, one colour and one shape, I can say I am using the least to make variations on Arcitic.

Again, like the Chinese motto, ‘a calf would not be scared by tigers(初生之犢不畏虎)’. I think not only designers, everyone should be like a new-born animal to explore the world with curiosity, always keep their mind fresh and willing to jump out from their comfort zones, which I believe is a key attribute to improve to be better humans.

Maybe I would become a quantum physicist, a philosopher or a businessman.

For sure, the most important supporters are my family; I could not be a designer if they did not let me change my subject. Then Mr. Morten Georgsen, his professional design team and Ms. Angela Micoli taught me a lot during the internships.