Designerinterview
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When I was in school, I frequented a national museum right next to where we lived, so I was already familiar with world-famous artists when I was a kid.
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?
When I was in school, I frequented a national museum right next to where we lived, so I was already familiar with world-famous artists when I was a kid. I majored in sociology in university, my professor inspired me to connect art and sociology, hence I entered the field of design after graduation. I later became a teacher in the Display Art Design Studio in Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, teaching how to incorporate art into a space.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
L’atelier Fantasia’s logo is a bird nest, reflecting our focus on residential projects instead of commercial or other types of spatial design. We specialize in luxurious, high-end houses and apartments.
What is "design" for you?
Design, to me, is putting effort into something to help people achieve happiness.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Residential, hotel, houses, vacation homes, etc. Living spaces.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
My favorite project is a small 40-sqm suite I designed for an 80-year-old lady in 2019. She always dreamt of having her own personal space, with a luxurious, elegant style she enjoys. Women often get mocked for liking extravagance, especially in traditional Taiwanese households. I realized that it was sometimes not easy for women to express their likings in feminine aesthetics or luxury.
Virginia Woolf’s work, A Room of One's Own inspired me, it became a huge part of our goal to celebrate femininity. We want to realize dream living spaces for women.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
Two showrooms. I imagined two different lifestyles and created vacation homes in distinct aesthetics.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
My favorite material is eco-friendly fabrics. Fabrics can be used to create a large variety of styles, but a lot of times the manufacturing process causes severe pollution, so I only use certified non-toxic and eco-friendly fabrics with good longevity for my projects.
When do you feel the most creative?
When I am by myself. I’m a very introverted person; I need a lot more alone time than most people. Thanks to my husband, the company is well-managed.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Spatial layout. The circulation and the ratios of the spaces affect the users’ daily lives. The utmost important aspect of residential design is the living experience. Without a good space layout, no matter how beautiful the décor is, it wouldn’t be a comfortable place to live.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I feel relaxed, as if a burden has been lifted.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Joy and hope, and then I would put it down and continue to the next project. I don’t usually dwell on the emotions for too long.
What makes a design successful?
A good design, specifically residential, brings calmness and happiness to the users.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
First, the layout and circulation, then the balance of the use of colors and lines. Lastly, the incorporation of artworks.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
It is important for a designer to choose non-toxic and low-environmental-impact materials, putting the well-being of the users first. We should actively improve our society, creating a better, healthier world.
Since the clients usually aren’t aware of the potential harm VOC and heavy metal can cause, we always provide them with certifications and test results, spreading the awareness of the importance of choosing safe materials.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
As the economy grows, the world is paying more and more attention to design and aesthetics. Social media and online communities play important roles in the future of designing, for the design to have an impact, how to utilize the people’s connection of with each other will be a key element.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
In 2024 we designed an exhibit for a manufacturer of fireproof materials. Next time we’d like to attend the Salone del Mobile Milano. Exploring the potential of branching out to the field of product design is one of our current ambitions.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Travelling. Visiting hotels, museums, and art galleries around the globe.
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?
Neoclassicism is the style I prefer the most. Since the 1800s, individualism has been the focus of interior design. Neoclassic residential design features simple structures and clean walls, so the residents can personalize their spaces with items and artworks that represent themselves. My goal is to create designs that can evolve and change alongside the owners, achieving timelessness.
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’m based in Taiwan. The way I use lines in my design is influenced by Taiwanese culture, but what have the most impact are the climate and earthquakes. Hiding equipment in the faux ceiling and keeping everything secure are very important in Taiwan. The biggest advantage we have in Taiwan is the abundance of good engineers and craftsmen, we are able to finish projects fast thanks to them.
How do you work with companies?
Before I agree to the cooperation, I always try to get an understanding of the representative’s background and personality. Their attitude towards work decides if I want to work with them.
Aside from that, contracts are the most crucial. A good contract protects both parties in terms of privacy, time, and everything financial.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
The ability to properly and efficiently communicate is the most important attribute. Completing a project requires teamwork, and if communication doesn’t go smoothly, it can lead to unnecessary costs.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
The first step is explaining our contracts to the client and making sure that we’re both on the same page, then I would start the designing process with the floor plans. While I am planning the layouts, I always look into the client’s lifestyle and their personality, so I can create designs that fit their needs. We have a design SOP to ensure that the process goes smoothly. We put great emphasis on the 3D renderings, they are shown to the clients during discussions so that they get a solid idea of our design decisions.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Bath tubs, shower heads, bedside lamps, dish washers, and air freshener diffusers.
Can you describe a day in your life?
I drive my kid to school, have breakfast with my husband, who’s also my business partner, and we talk about work-related subjects. After that, I go to the office for meetings and discussions until the evening and then I go home to have dinner with my kid. After dinner, I head out again for business networking events. Weekends are family time.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Aspiring designers and entrepreneurs tend to have great ambitions regarding their projects, but you have to have patience, you have wait for the company to grow, then you can expand your projects. Designing is not about creating personal art pieces, hence self-management is imperative.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
Pros: We have the natural ability to create beaty and we get to utilize it.
Cons: Designers have a stronger aversion towards ugliness, and personally, I’m sensitive about human emotions. Sensitive and kind people need to be strong, otherwise you’ll get knocked down. Only when you’re still standing you can keep doing what you love.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
The ratios of the various areas, colors, items, and art pieces. Unlike commercial design, residential design usually focuses less on impact, but balance. So, the ratios are the most crucial.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Communication ability. Artists, most of the time, only need to talk to themselves, but designers work with clients. We need communication with the users, even society. Designers need to balance their desire to create and the clients’ needs.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Auto CAD, Line, Whatsapp, Microsoft Office, 3D Max, etc. One of our goals in 2025 is to update or systems, incorporating more new technologies.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Sometimes you really have to spend more money in exchange for better time management, for example, by hiring a personal driver or a secretary. It reduces a lot of daily anxiety.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
Minimum 1 year, sometimes up to 3 years. The design phase takes 3 to 6 months. The construction takes about a year. We use hi-end materials and the best craftsmen, so that the woodwork and moldings can endure the Taiwanese climate. And then it’s the furnishing phase, we only start picking furniture items after the construction is done, the more luxurious project the longer it takes to finish.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
Designers ask about how to be more famous, and the clients ask about the price.
What was your most important job experience?
Participating in meetings on luxury home sales strategies.
Who are some of your clients?
High-end clients, many entrepreneurs.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Working with art collectors to design their homes, but these clients are hard to come by.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
I would like to design more products with non-toxic, eco-friendly materials, and keep the production cost low. I’d also like to take up more design projects for commercial spaces.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
We work as a team. Including the on-site workers and craftsmen, we have about 100 people in the team.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
Right now, I have a residential project going on, located in One Park Taipei, designed by architect Richard Rogers. We also invited artist Jean-Michel Othoniel and commissioned a custom art piece from him.
How can people contact you?
Official website: https://www.fantasia-interior.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latelierfantasia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LatelierFantasia/
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
No, that’s all.
