Khoi Tran Nguyen Bao

Specialized in Furniture Design.

Khoi Tran Nguyen Bao

About Khoi Tran Nguyen Bao

Khoi is a product designer. He loves designing furniture and housewares. In this field, he won several design awards in his country. Everyday, he tries to learn news from work and life, thinking about positive things. In design, he wants to make as many different options as possible then refine them. Simplification is the key to handle his problems. Simple but not superficial is what he always pursues. In his opinion, live kindly, listen and share with others contribute to a better society. Especially humor, it is the key to solve all difficulties in life.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Furniture Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs
  • Furniture
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Interview with Khoi Tran Nguyen Bao

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?
I majored in Product Design major at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, Vietnam. Before that, I studied art at a college for a few years. I love to draw my thoughts on a blank page; the excitement and also challenge when creating something new that made me become a designer. I think that no career brings more real value to my life than designing.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
At present, I do not own a company or a design studio. I am working full time for a big Vietnamese furniture brand.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I like product design most, especially designs that need their own personality.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
There are a few projects I have designed that make me more satisfied than others, a white massage chair designed for the US market is an example. It has furturistic style. It received good feedback from manufacturer and customer.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
It's an outdoor furniture collection I designed when I was a student. It gave me a first trip abroad, expanding my design mindset.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Impressive first look, novel details and usability of the product .
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
The excitement and a bit of a rush. I try to catch emotions as quickly as possible.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I consider first whether its appearance and functions are suitable for design purpose? Could it bring satisfaction to user?; and its commerciality.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Those are questions that must be given frequently: how to meet customer expectations for products, but the production process is limited in harm to the environment.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I think the "design field" is evolving in a way that is closer to the needs of people than ever before. It increasingly understand the psychology and problems of consumers. The future of design is smart products, more friendly to the environment.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
It was 2 years ago at the international fair Vifa Home 2018 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Whether or not my next exhibition will happen depends on whether I can create good designs anymore.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
They come from the interesting things I suddenly discovered in life. Reading, drawing, art research; having fun with everyone is how I feed my creativity. My sources of inspirations are curiosity, like to make things different.
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?
My design style is aimed at modernity, keeping things as simple but efficient as possible. I like the quote "Less is more". Main characteristics of my style is to combine smooth and coherent lines, eliminating the extra details. My approach to design comes from observing contemporary problems in life and the market research.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I live in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. The heritage in my country is not in grandiose architecture or lavish festivals..that is a harmonious combination of cultures living together on an S-shaped territory. I want to incorporate those specific characteristics into meaningful designs. The pros during designing as a result of living in each country is that brings uniqueness to the work and the cons is that I can not leave those features intact, I have to adjust to fit the general design trend in the world.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Let designers try their best, don't put too many restrictions in the beginning, do not too urge them. And most importantly, encourage them. I am not sure how can companies select a good designer, as long as good designers match their needs.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
It is like the design process of other designers: Read carefully the design requirements, refer to the new design trends, express ideas by hand sketches or computer. Continuous exchange with customers and technicians, make prototype until the production process is formed and running.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
I use furniture and decoration designed by myself at home. They're not perfect yet, but I love them: a lounge chair, bookshelf, a bench, working desk and a tea set.
Can you describe a day in your life?
I wake up at 4 a.m. to go to work. Busy goes with me until 4 p.m. A "ca phe da" (Vietnamese traditional coffee) cup on the sidewalk brings to me a little relaxtion after work then going back home to cook dinner. Before sleep, I spend my time on private projects, research or reading.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Positives: Have wide knowledge base from culture to technology, an interesting personality. Negative: Sometimes the work will follow into sleep.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I use some software as Rhinoceros, Photoshop, Illustrator, Auto Cad..for work. I collect books about art and technology, sometimes they are sources of my inspiration.
What was your most important job experience?
Every environment I work in, every project I get gives me different experiences, so it's hard to say which is the most important.
Who are some of your clients?
They are manufacturing businesses that need to buy external designs for their plans.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Product design. Because through each project, I learn more lots of knowledge from materials, technology..to human psychology.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I still work in furniture industry and expanding the design scope. The next is a new furniture collection that is reminiscent of Saigon old time.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
In daily work, I work as team. For individual projects, I develope my designs myself.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Yes, I'm designing a furniture collection based on "Mekong" idea.
How can people contact you?
They can contact me by my email: khoitran5490@gmail.com. I thank for all attention.

Designer of the Day Interview with Khoi Tran Nguyen Bao

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I graduated from the Faculty of Industrial Design at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture in 2013. After graduating, I worked as a full-time and freelance designer for several consumer goods and furniture manufacturers. I am also a visiting lecturer for a university.
How did you become a designer?
I chose to become a designer because of my childhood interest in drawing. After graduating from high school, I began to study art professionally at a college and later studied design at university. Emotion spring up when I look at something cool and wonder if I could create such things, drove me to be a designer. The desire to create something interesting, useful is my originally motivation for me to follow this profession.
What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?
I think in any field of artistic creation, there should be a central theme that drives your mind and emotions during the working process. When I design, I try to come up with as many options as possible, draw my thoughts quickly with a pencil. I do not try to use digital tools to express perfectly sketches. What I and my clients want is the design renderings created by the 2d or 3d softwares are done in a short time; if something is selected, we will correct the problems as required and complete on computer. Mock up also physical models are built for the most intuitive evaluation. I approach a new project through intermediary.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Feeling of freedom and a bit of challenge are the emotions I get when design a product or project. I think every phase of the design has its own unique vibe. Like when you travel to a foreign land, there is ambiguity, excitement, sometimes a bit of disappointment and hope again..But overall you always have to be optimistic and feel everything exciting despite difficulties to complete the journey. Being in dialogue with myself is what I like most when focus designing. The design process also helps me speak my mind and learn a lot through debate. Sense of happiness is created when I am more mature in my career.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I think some of them are presentation skill, quick reflexes, analysis and observation. They are important because they help me understand people's psychology and communicate with them better. Karl Lagerfeld is one of my biggest idols, I love his creativity and persistent energy. My design journey has been quite stable, I am happy because of some accomplishments that I had dreamed have made, but I realize it takes a lot more effort.

Extended Interview with Khoi Tran Nguyen Bao

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I majored in Product Design major at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture, Vietnam. Before that, I studied art at a college for a few years.
How did you become a designer?
To free my thoughts. My interest in drawing from childhood has led me to design profession.
Which emotions do you feel when designing?
Previously, I used to design industrial products such as: transport, lighting, home appliances, pedicure spa..Now, I want to focus on furniture field.
What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?
Based on how people perceive and position their products. A good designer brings a good product, a great designer brings a story, I think so.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
A really good design: No need to change anything anymore.. I evaluate a good design depends on customer satisfaction.
You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?
That is the benefit it brings to its users. Everyone invest in good design because of its potential, a good design goes a long way.
How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?
It is ahead. But I don't think too much about it, I try my best in any project I design, always remember the achievements.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
Thinking coherently, persistence, work hard, read a lot. view a lot, always find opportunities.
How do you decide if your design is ready?
I learn quiet many from design myths from fashion to product design, architecture and interior. I admire the constant working of Karl Lagerfeld, the utmost sophistication in his design; the crazy of John Galliano. Quasar Khanh, Philippe Starck, Karim Rhasid, Zaha Hadid..are also legends that their freedom in creativity, the mixing of science and artistic inspired me.
What is your biggest design work?
I like Louis Ghost Chair of Philippe Starck, B306 of Le Corbusier's studio, The Animal Chair by Máximo Riera..They teach me how a beautiful structure, the unique thinking about using material, shapes..
Who is your favourite designer?
That is the Nervure Chair in cast alluminum furniture line of Quasar Khanh. It is a love poem, a perfect simulation from nature with beautiful lines and superb craftmanship.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design is a game of thinking. You do not want someome to give you a complete set of instructions from start to end like the installation guide of a Ikea's table.

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