Shin Chan

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?

No background, technically learning from youtube. I like to create something special and meaningful by using colors and shape. No

What is "design" for you?

Design is something express yourself, and something talking to others. A good design sending message to people, but a great design inspired.

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

My favorite design is a Xmas packaging design for a Malaysia local coffee brand.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

i remembered is a poster for comic rental to my friend, i barely finished it , cos i got no skill on adobe software at that time.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

i like something rough, closed to nature material, like textured card. Platform is rtist.com, a local platform for artist to match with client by showing their portfolio online

When do you feel the most creative?

Having a coffee and no other appointments after works, then play some soft music as background

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

1) story of brand/product 2) message to deliver 3) print finishing

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

A new design job normally make me feel excited but also brings some anxiety

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

we need to try our best to telling people about the important of sustainability and the beauty of our planet / earth life, no matter in any form or ways.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

Design is no longer for “how it looks,” but for how it works, how it feels, and how it impacts society and the planet. In the future i hope design is not just creativity and eco-friendly , but also direction to empathy to our nature.

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

I never involve with any exhibition, but i hope one day there a chance to let me who how i embrace and feel grateful to our nature. and maybe not just in graphic. but also the touch of texture.

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

To be honest, many corporate ideas are come from pinterest, but recently i learn to get some inspiration from nature likes: the river , lawn, sky etc. i believe that we belong to nature and we need to back to our origins.

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 dont have any certain style, but i like to explore and contact with new ideas and create something i never done.

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 at Johor, Malaysia. Maybe, Malaysia is full of mixture, not just race, but also religion, foods, languages and culture. Is good to have many differentiate , because you can see many direction of arts, but also a chaos in design senses.

How do you work with companies?

I work remotely, basically my client is long term co-operate. Few are by project basis.

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

Companies need to know what they need, and simplify the tier to approved the design, majority of design rejected because of lack of communicate of inner management. By select a good designer, not only by their portfolio but also seeing the desire of the designer to work on the job. Passion or not.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

Talk to client > understand client background > their competitors > research > mood-board > drafting

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

My favorite items: My Cats, dogs, plants, coffee, bed My favorite design items: nope (maybe my working table)

Can you describe a day in your life?

Stay in bed > coffee > reply > ideas > daydream > design > petting > done

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

Do what you like and find your own style. For me graphic design is very hard to achieve this, cos it depends on client branding. Thats why is like to create a new brand start from scratch.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

Positive: It's fun to create something, and can really see the outcome. Being appreciated by client and can spread positive message to audience thru the design. Can arrange your own timing. Negative: Urgent, client with lack of senses, uncollectible bills, FA, FA_FA, Final_FA_FA (you know that)

What is your "golden rule" in design?

A customer who knows how to be grateful, i will reject a job if the client is always urgent, unorganized and given an inch, want a mile.

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

Design: Adobe illustrator / photoshop. Ideas: Pinterest / Behance / My balcony Sources: Freepik Drawing: Procreate

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

Write down the stages of design, if the job took me 2 weeks, will tell client 3 weeks. Make sure the direction of art/design is correct (must communicate with client closely).

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

It depends, take this ChocoCoral as example, including research and studying till create visualization. It took me 4 days.

What was your most important job experience?

I used to work in event company, and i learned a lot from there. Not only design, but production, setup, material, and man-power.

Who are some of your clients?

My client is not big famous clients, i work with SMEs. But sometime will work with some bank like Citi, Standard Charted, Hospital, Property Developer.

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

i like to design something related to inspired people or nature/sustainability. I feel warm and meaningful when design it. It's make me feel alive compare with design something corporate.

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

I slowly shift myself to Enamel craft. I already completed a short course in China, and planning to make it some at home first. After that will leap to advanced courses.

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

As mentioned above, i start my Enamel handcraft journey soon, and i very looking forward.

How can people contact you?

New client get know me thru Introduced by others, but if you means how to get me? just Whatsapp / ig and Rtist.com

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

i hope to get involved with this award again, but with different role, new role as a Enamel Maker, not graphic designer. thanks!