Interviews mit Stanley Tay Wee King

had been a lighting designer cum lighting engineer for more than 12 years now. My education is actually in the finance / accountancy. Got into lightings 12 years ago as the development and mass adoption of LEDs was interesting. Started off as just a supplier, but gradually went more indepth scientifically and artistic design concurrently. The science behind LEDs technology enabled amazing creative interactive and immersive lighting designs to be created. For the design perspective, I then self learned on traditional lighting design skills and the evolvement of architecture since ancient times till date. By relying on my financial training, it is natural for me to quantify and communicate the worth for lighting design easily. I had also the good fortunate to serve the big property developers in Singapore and various government statutory boards that takes care of the heritage and urban spaces.

I have always love the historical arts, while also like building lego sets, gundam modelling and even Tamiya cars. When I was exposed to LEDs technology, i saw that it is a subject that combines both Art and Science. The design concept takes lead first. With that crystallised, the engineering, products, methods of installation can then come together. I love the challenge of being multi disciplinary in just 1 job. To get better at my choice of being a lighting designer, I got to go back to the basics to understand building architecture, electrical electronics engineering and interior design, materials etc. Fortunately I've always love to see beautiful things. As i read widely on different designers, their style, their completed works, I've grown to appreciate good designs. Eventually able to discern the meaning to good designs for each of them. That made me develop my own design style unknowingly as I seek to learn and apply vigorously from what I read. I personally love architecture as I love ancient history. Buildings are important and symbolises the aspirations of each culture across different era. That interest in history is probably the reason that motivates me to learn about the various buildings and its interior fit out during different era.

My style always has technology or engineering elements within the beautiful end results. I certainly believe that Design + Engineering + Technology is what makes a good design. My design aims to be an element that futureproof the space that I'm appointed to work in. Ultimately it should also seek to impact lives positively.

Happiness. I get excited thinking how the design may have the soft power to connect emotionally with the audience.

My background in finance affects how I go about the design. No offence to our design community, but i tend to articulate the worth of my design based on how it exceeds the value of what the client may be paying me. The ability of the design to allow customers to remember the spaces more, the possibility of people coming back to enjoy the space and spending in the area, the durability of the design that will reduce maintenance costs, etc...

I hope to be the leading lighting design and solutions consultancy firm in Asia and ASEAN. I certainly wish to work on projects that I have touched before (e.g airports, railway stations, etc)

Be multi disciplinary, be open to things you are most afraid and overcome them. Designers should try to learn engineering. It may be used like a communicative tool to aid artist in justifying the qualitative artful skill in design.

Doing the due diligence and being professional in performing the fiduciary duty as the lead consultant. Having a well thought out solution that goes beyond just design, being ready to address issues that may surface in adjacent verticals of a project. This can make the designer a reliable consultant and show he is aware on how the design relates to other parts of the project.

Wakes up, Tries to go for a jog (often it fails and I go back to snoozing), Goes to work on time (or maybe 5-7 mins late), Figure out what is priority for the day and see what can be done, call clients to catch up, Have a good after work chill out drinks before going back home.

Being active in seeing the latest design posted on social media by other designers, reading actively on various online publications, read widely different subjects. Knowing the design trend is highly important for a junior designer. Until you have made a name for yourself and your style if what forms the trends, it is important to know how the society is moving ahead. This will also serve as important facts as we communicate with clients.

The simplicity of what the design wish to communicate. Looking beyond beautiful professional photographs but asking for just simple pictures of the design to see the true form.

We know it has become a success when people are enjoying the space, taking pictures of our work. There will always be ways to improve a design, but we will be reasonable and realistic based on given timeline for each appointed jobs. Importantly, to know when the design is ready, is when we feel we have exhausted all possible question and answers.

Haw Par Villa Project is our biggest design work. The space is extremely hugh, there were many firsts for us in this project too. Many rules pertaining to heritage spaces resulted in us spending much time in finding the most appropriate engineering implementation solutions. The design work was technically fluid and subject to constant reevaluation whenever the original idea was not feasible when we do a site survey. For the scale of this project, the attention to details was extremely crucial to avoid abortive design and planning works. We were delighted it all turned out as what we had designed and rendered to the client. We seek to downplay the facial feature of the sculptures and make the garden a comfortable stroll like in a resort. Using different focus for each part of the park aims to create a memory stamp in the visitors, in hope they will always want to come back and relax in the park.

Victoria Cohen - Had seen her amazing work, playing with lighting projections in Frankfurt, Church of Catherine.

Team lab - Where they use LEDs to create original immersive interactive spatial experiences.

I love Turkey, where the history and urban society comes together. The integration of technology is certainly unavoidable. A designer should see how their works can be representing the future aspirations of people.

Design is a concept that seeks to inspire an individual to be better. This concept can be both physical and non physical form. As to what I do, i believe lighting design should aim to invoke the senses of a person where he may be in. It definitely should be more than just functional.

I would say it is easy to work with me as long as the person sets a high standard for him/herself. I do not have the interest to micro-manage someone. We believe in giving everyone the chance to lead and make justifiable decisions. My style always has technology or engineering elements within the beautiful end results. I certainly believe that Design + Engineering + Technology is what makes a good design. My design aims to be an element that futureproof the space that I'm appointed to work in. Ultimately it should also seek to impact lives positively.

Be multi disciplinary, be open to things you are most afraid and overcome them. Designers should try to learn engineering. It may be used like a communicative tool to aid artist in justifying the qualitative artful skill in design.

We have an active training program to guide interns and associates to grow beyond just excelling in the firm. Yes we do pro-bono work from time to time for government and public spaces. Being able to be involve or serve in humanitarian projects is a honour.

Able to strengthen my design skills, knowing the importance of having a professional good photographer, Able to see and learn from others whom are more skillful. I'm deeply humbled and grateful being the Designer of the Day. While it is a strong encouragement for the last 12 years of self taught, unwavering commitment to professional design deliverables, it is also a reminder to continue what is right. Keep learning, keep improving, keep challenging myself to do better.

I'm actually finance accounting trained individual. Had always loved the arts and design. At the beginning it was all self taught and learned through active reading and review of many great design works and designers themselves over the last 12 years. As i got more involved in lighting design consultancy work, the passion and drive to excel in creating unique spatial experience blossom. Never thought I would be a designer, but as it seems, I'm happily growing and challenging myself on the next big design that I can deliver. I've never looked back since.

Design is a concept that seeks to inspire an individual to be better. This concept can be both physical and non physical form. As to what I do, i believe lighting design should aim to invoke the senses of a person where he may be in. It definitely should be more than just functional.

I chose this career

Lighting design for public and commercial spaces.

Be multi disciplinary, be open to things you are most afraid and overcome them. Designers should try to learn engineering. It may be used like a communicative tool to aid artist in justifying the qualitative artful skill in design.

Doing the due diligence and being professional in performing the fiduciary duty as the lead consultant. Having a well thought out solution that goes beyond just design, being ready to address issues that may surface in adjacent verticals of a project. This can make the designer a reliable consultant and show he is aware on how the design relates to other parts of the project.

Futureproof the space where the design is in and the design should last long.

My style always has technology or engineering elements within the beautiful end results. I certainly believe that Design + Engineering + Technology is what makes a good design. My design aims to be an element that futureproof the space that I'm appointed to work in. Ultimately it should also seek to impact lives positively.

I hope to be the leading lighting design and solutions consultancy firm in Asia and ASEAN. I certainly wish to work on projects that I have touched before (e.g airports, railway stations, etc)

Airports and Railway Stations overseas

My background in finance affects how I go about the design. No offence to our design community, but i tend to articulate the worth of my design based on how it exceeds the value of what the client may be paying me. The ability of the design to allow customers to remember the spaces more, the possibility of people coming back to enjoy the space and spending in the area, the durability of the design that will reduce maintenance costs, etc...

Victoria Cohen - Had seen her amazing work, playing with lighting projections in Frankfurt, Church of Catherine.

Team lab - Where they use LEDs to create original immersive interactive spatial experiences.

olafur eliasson - Love how he experiments with different materials and lighting to invoke the mind to dream and think at the same time.

Haw Par Villa Project is our biggest design work. The space is extremely hugh, there were many firsts for us in this project too. Many rules pertaining to heritage spaces resulted in us spending much time in finding the most appropriate engineering implementation solutions. The design work was technically fluid and subject to constant reevaluation whenever the original idea was not feasible when we do a site survey. For the scale of this project, the attention to details was extremely crucial to avoid abortive design and planning works. We were delighted it all turned out as what we had designed and rendered to the client. We seek to downplay the facial feature of the sculptures and make the garden a comfortable stroll like in a resort. Using different focus for each part of the park aims to create a memory stamp in the visitors, in hope they will always want to come back and relax in the park.

Doing the due diligence and being professional in performing the fiduciary duty as the lead consultant. Having a well thought out solution that goes beyond just design, being ready to address issues that may surface in adjacent verticals of a project. This can make the designer a reliable consultant and show he is aware on how the design relates to other parts of the project.

Continue to be in corporate finance, buy and sell companies

My style always has technology or engineering elements within the beautiful end results. I certainly believe that Design + Engineering + Technology is what makes a good design. My design aims to be an element that futureproof the space that I'm appointed to work in. Ultimately it should also seek to impact lives positively.

Clients who gives me the opportunity and time to develop my ideas and manifest it out physically through implementation.

Lack of knowledge in executing the designs, not least the designs were lacking in character and style.

Depends on the engagement. Generally it is good to present a before and after view. Prior to the design coming in and a rendered image of after the design is implemented. Highlight the improvement to people using the space.

Yes, where we are lighting up a yacht club, marina promenade railings. Still works in progress. Will come to that later.

To build schools in villages that needs it.

A unique marketable end result

Improve the mental wellbeing of people.

Yes, where we are lighting up a yacht club, marina promenade railings. Still works in progress. Will come to that later.

I love to work on public projects that can create a positive impact for the people that comes to enjoy that particular space. I love jobs that enable me to challenge and change the perceived views of the public for any given space with a refresh lighting concept.

More designers also having the ability to execute and deliver the design physically. These days too many guys who call themselves designers, when they are more computer software warrior (I'm referring to my lighting design field primarily)

The integration of technology is certainly unavoidable. A designer should see how their works can be representing the future aspirations of people.

3 - 6 months

Visiting the site to understand the current situation and expectations of people using the space.

To improve lives by creating a positive impact with their works for everyone.

Designs sets the trend

It gives the design the ability to come alive (i.e to move). Creating a interactive immersive experience rather than just a static functional light up scene.

Dialux, Vray 3DMax

Highly important. How the colour and materials will absorb the light, reflecting the light, all result in the ambience. A warm white lighting on a dark wood surface will make the place dimmer and darker then if it was in a white marble room. It is critical to know what colour and materials are used in a space. The lighting can accentuate the interior fit out to create the right mood, or just makes the whole place seemingly feels off.

I hope they can ask me to give them something special that they have never seen before.

How was this created?

Yes i believe in co-design. Ideal design partner should possess experience and skills in area that i lack.

Dailytonic

Reading widely, keeping a clear mind, being aware of what things may trigger the emotions in me (sadness, happy, angry, frustrated, pain, contended, etc.)

Bill Gates ! Would like to ask him to comment on the possibility of using lighting as a medium to capture big data of people movements from point to point in an urban space. Therefore aiding in urban city planners, energy management and emergency response solution.

Yellow, Nature, Noodles, Autumn

When we can answer all the questions people throw at us.

We will be living in space colonies, travelling in light years

My style always has technology or engineering elements within the beautiful end results. I certainly believe that Design + Engineering + Technology is what makes a good design. My design aims to be an element that futureproof the space that I'm appointed to work in. Ultimately it should also seek to impact lives positively.

I'm actually finance accounting trained individual. Had always loved the arts and design. At the beginning it was all self taught and learned through active reading and review of many great design works and designers themselves over the last 12 years. As i got more involved in lighting design consultancy work, the passion and drive to excel in creating unique spatial experience blossom. Never thought I would be a designer, but as it seems, I'm happily growing and challenging myself on the next big design that I can deliver. I've never looked back since.

I've created this lighting design consultancy where the ethos is to combine design, engineering and technology all in 1 solution for our clients. In terms of lighting design, it is essential to also have a firm grasp of engineering and technology. Besides the lighting products, which can be technical on its own, it is equally important to develop the knowledge to implement the hardware on site. As a lead consultant and designer, we conceptualise the design with clients. Thereafter working with contractor and specialist to execute the project as the manager. This ensures minimal miscommunication and we are in control to achieve the design intent as what was agreed upon at the start.

Design is a concept that seeks to inspire an individual to be better. This concept can be both physical and non physical form. As to what I do, i believe lighting design should aim to invoke the senses of a person where he may be in. It definitely should be more than just functional.

I love to work on public projects that can create a positive impact for the people that comes to enjoy that particular space. I love jobs that enable me to challenge and change the perceived views of the public for any given space with a refresh lighting concept.

Parametric architecture. I love the sexy curves of the building facade, where it gives a sense of fluidity to an otherwise standard boxy shape. The design will also enable a person to have differing views of the structure based on where he stands relative to his line of sight to the building. This myriad visual permutation on one same object excites me.

Design a lamp fitting

Glass / Murano glass and I love heat sensors that can detect heat signature from a human body

When I see random art works and tries to imagine I'm the artist themselves.

The ability of the design to connect emotionally with the audience

Happiness

Relief and Excitement. As sometimes in my design work, there are unknown factors that resulted in risk of project failure. Once they are realized, I would have completed the obligation to clients. Next up is forgetting that I'm the designer and enjoy the space I've lighted up like any patrons.

A design that can withstand time and is durable.

The simplicity of what the design wish to communicate. Looking beyond beautiful professional photographs but asking for just simple pictures of the design to see the true form.

To improve lives by creating a positive impact with their works for everyone.

The integration of technology is certainly unavoidable. A designer should see how their works can be representing the future aspirations of people.

Last year, where we completed another live work at CHIJMES Singapore.

Reading widely, keeping a clear mind, being aware of what things may trigger the emotions in me (sadness, happy, angry, frustrated, pain, contended, etc.)

My style always has technology or engineering elements within the beautiful end results. I certainly believe that Design + Engineering + Technology is what makes a good design. My design aims to be an element that futureproof the space that I'm appointed to work in. Ultimately it should also seek to impact lives positively.

Singapore. yes the cultural heritage of Singapore certainly affects my work. I would say Singapore is gradually removing the top down rules based approach that was prevalent in the earlier years. Now it is more open to experimenting with what may or may not work. The bureaucracy of working in a public project is always a con when it comes to design work. The good part is probably when we can justify our design by quantifying something qualitative, then we can get to influence the flow of things much more professionally. This is fortunately the case in Singapore. We have a fairer system here, where if you are good in defending your designs with logic, you may get more support from the clients.

Site visits, listen to their requirements, share what I know with them, come out with scope of work and costing.

The company should know what they want first. Important to find the designer that can understand and deliver the intended solution.

I often start by macro overview to micro details. First is to imagine the end results of the space that I will light up. There will be feasibility analysis where I will repeatedly imagine different types of end results to cover as many directions as I can think of, given a reasonable time frame. Next, I will try to add in some subtle elements that seemingly makes the project first of its kind (as best as my knowledge takes me). These can be program logic controls or some simple software coding added in to some engineering or mechanical parts. Essentially, I love artworks that can move. So creating some lighting effects that moves fluidly is something I will always try to have. Next we will focus on the methods of statements, drilling down all the details to implement and deliver the project. Thats when we may go back and tweak our designs to cater for limitations on site.

My marble table, My Ceiling Lamp, My glass Alpaca figurines that I got from Peru, Coloured tiles I got from Turkey, A coffee jar with suspended paper cranes floating inside (a gift from a Japanese friend).

Wakes up, Tries to go for a jog (often it fails and I go back to snoozing), Goes to work on time (or maybe 5-7 mins late), Figure out what is priority for the day and see what can be done, call clients to catch up, Have a good after work chill out drinks before going back home.

Be multi disciplinary, be open to things you are most afraid and overcome them. Designers should try to learn engineering. It may be used like a communicative tool to aid artist in justifying the qualitative artful skill in design.

People may feel you do not have a sense of the real world, of how the buyer and seller relationship works most of the time. For a junior designer that hasn't got any accolades or confidence from external parties (i.e clients), the journey to preserver in some original passionate beliefs may be subjected to constant dilemma. The positive part is probably getting to know yourself clearer and better.

Design should be futureproof and lasting.

Ability to imagine the end results

Having the capability to work out the execution steps to deliver the project

Having good communication skill

Dailytonic Architectural Magazine, Commercial Architecture, LED Magazine, Lumens.com, Pinterest

No need to manage. Just do what is needed at the point in time. Can't say we are not breathing and living as we go about our design work. Work on the design well and I would feel I have lived my life well too.

3 - 6 months

What are my rates?

Non client coming up and enjoying the space by taking pictures or quietly witnessing the refresh lighting experience.

Property Developers, Hotels, Government Statutory Board, Urban City Planners, Architects, Contractors, Residential Home Owners, Commercial malls and shopping districts, interior designers for offices and homes

Work that allows me to give a fresh perspective to an existing space. I like the idea of using lights, we can evoke the different emotions of people.

Expand the business overseas, to collaborate and do more projects internationally with other designers and clients.

As a principal, I lead a team. While I may set the general design direction and review the details, we have team mates giving inputs on what might be the best way to implement the design. Hence, it is a team effort normally.

Yes, where we are lighting up a yacht club, marina promenade railings. Still works in progress. Will come to that later.

They can email me at stanley.t@illuminatingasia.com or message me on linkedin directly.

All is good

By combining lighting effects and projected graphical artworks of the various key note stories on to the forefront of the park, we seek to provide a sneak peak for visitors and passerbys. Hence, encouraging them to explore the historical sculptures and stories in the park.

We need to survey the landscape throughly, work closely with clients and stakeholders to understand all limitation and possibilities (creative, innovative or unconventional methods). Thereafter to work with multiple lighting suppliers and contractors to explore methods of lighting deployment from afar or near point to achieve the intended effect on the sculptures / stories.

In the night, due to various limitations, we have to be selective of the most important and pertinent scenes to highlight. The illumination covers the scluptures that offers the most vivid expressions that may connect easily with a viewer.

A master lighting plan was created. We had to constantly move between micro perspective to macro views of the entire space, as we go about the design, recommendation, trials and final deployment.

As the sculptures are very colourful and the expressions of various figurines are extremely vivid, the lighitng colour tone needs to achieve clarity while not giving too much of a glare. The colour tone also downplay areas where certain figurines might have looked too daunting to the visitors.

It was an extremely intense exercise given the scale of this project. This approach seeks to ensure we acheive the most solution a the first instance we work on one specific area. This allow us to check in with all stakeholders on a viable method of statement in accomplishing our design intent, while tackling the site limitations.

By selecting the right location within the park is the most crucial to achieve this balance. Moving colourful lights are often dynamic and should be used at only key locations sparingly to make the space feels energetic. Other areas where it is more serious or where we want people to appreciate the culture better, the static lighting takes over. This contrast of lighting application makes the entire space feels refreshing and not too homogeneous.

We start with a thinking and engineering process of using only the least amount of light fixtures to illuminate a given space. We constantly challenge ourselves if one light fitting can achieve the ideal result we want a visitor to feel. Through this bottom up approach, we had already seek to minimise the light fittings and power consumption to be at the base minimum. This directly lead to positive energy efficiency and project effectiveness.

This would be the use of gobo projection at the main entrance of Haw Par Villa. The first problem we want to achieve is how to bring in more visitors into the park at night to experience the cultural heritage. Through lighting art displays, we bring the stories to life, stopping people in the tracks to take photos or even start asking whats there in the park. To accomplish the projection, we had to apply geometry, electrical and civil engineering practices to identify the most optimal positions to place the GOBO projectors. And the result as as what we all have seen at the entrance; the one and only Singapore public permanenent projection mapping light show.

Yes. As the younger generation get disinterested or disconnected to their traditions or history; making things abit more interactive with such light shows revitalises history in a way the younger generation appreciates easily. This can help perserve not only the heritage spaces, but allowing the stories a better chance of reflourishing in the future as people retains this memory.