BEAMS Creative Limited

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

Well, my mother is the true artist in my family, having produced many drawings in between the several jobs that she worked during my youth. She enrolled us in art classes and studios when available, but I had always taken a liking to sports. However, when it was time to choose a field to study, I went back to design and chose architecture.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

Beams creative is a spatial design studio focusing on small scale construction, interiors, installations and exhibits.

What is "design" for you?

For me, I see it as an interpretation of world views. What I think the world should be and what I think needs to be changed.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I really enhoy working on projects that I haven’t tried before. Different scales or proportions. I find working in different cultural context to be interesting. Doing this has brought me to new questions and problems that has made me question my education and conventions.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

We just finished an urban garden at the end of last year. It was a new experience for me and required both the client and myself to learn more about each other’s culture in order to understand the idea. It was an intense project that only allowed for a two week design process.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

The first thing I worked on was that's was actually used and built was for a Chinese architecture firm. There they only build big complexes or gardens as they like to call them. There is always a series of towers along with a podium. I hated everything there.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

I have always been a big fan of Ando and Sanaa. Which brings me to concrete. Its funny because I also enjoy working with different levels of perforation.

When do you feel the most creative?

Usually at the times when I'm not designing. Its when I'm in a taxi or metro thinking about all the colors in the advertisements that I ride by, or when I'm playing basketball, pondering ways to play more efficiently. I truly believe design is an interdisciplinary practice and I try to pull solutions for solving problems from other areas of my life.

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

By that time, Im usually over it. Its nice to take a walk around it though.

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

I won't call designs bad. Someone genuinely thought that this certain space should be like this. Maybe the execution could be bad. Or they were wrong on how people would interact with the space. But I think that makes them wrong, not bad.

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

not to be self loathing, but I do see the impact of designers to be substantial. Designers shape the way we use the world. In a sense, we have more or less taken over some of the duties of nature; forming boundaries of cities and neighborhoods, and

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

We had an exhibition in Shanghai in April. Its not something we do normally.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

We design to solve problems. But of course I approach them in manner that allows me to put into place my perspectives.

How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

I have always gravitated more toward surrealism and the underlying meaning of the images that artist created. However, being practical, I attempt to express meaning through lack of convention through modern minimalism.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

I would say find what problem you want to solve and a common ground on how you want it approached. Sometimes, bigger companies are accustom to doing things a certain way, so it may not always be best for you. When dealing with designers, I would say that it is important to be very clear and transparent on what you are looking for and what you could accept.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

Most of them are shoes or clothes. I don't own any expensive furniture yet.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

I would consider myself a young designer. If anyone has any advice for me, Im very open to hear it.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Have a goal. An intention you want to express or a theory or even a hypothesis.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

I think talking through a project is the biggest tool. Out everything on the table. Sketch together, over each other. So I guess I would say my team or peers.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

I would say a few weeks at least. This generation is very microwave. But if I would, I would like to sit on things. Finish it, work on something else, then come back to it. That'll usually give me clarity. But I would say a few weeks is minimum.

Who are some of your clients?

They vary widely. We have a local Hong Kong cafe and we have large Chinese developers. We have a German film camera company and American production studios.

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

I think the type if design is not as important as having a good client.

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

I want to up my scale gradually. My dream is to bring my company into museum installations.

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

We have a few that are pending. I don't wanna jinx anything.

How can people contact you?

If you go to our website you could find multiple ways to contact me or my team @ beams creative.com