Skip to content
Mars Design Consultants

SingaporeGraphic

Interviews with Mars Design Consultants

Read the interviews with Mars Design Consultants: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Design Interview

Morph Food and Beverage Branding · 11 questions

The whole theme of the bar is telling the story of an ancient Chinese legend love story, LiangZhu. The design is intrigued by the dazzling iridescent wings of the Morph butterfly.

What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?

The whole theme of the bar is telling the story of an ancient Chinese legend love story, LiangZhu. The design is intrigued by the dazzling iridescent wings of the Morph butterfly. Bringing together the unique features of the female and male counterparts on each side of the wings, the design yields a gynandromorphy. The kaleidoscope-like butterfly pattern is the main planar elements, showing the unpredictable and mysterious of the blue butterfly under the light and shadow.

What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?

The goal is to create a strong bar and restaurant branding through an extraordinary dining experience to customers. Not only on the food itself, but the interaction should also go through from the sensation of each customer, like sounds, smell, visuals, lightings and the touches. The design also considers holistically, like the wall art sculpture, digital motion board, the special printing effects menu and etc, will bring you a different feel while you are in Morph.

What are your future plans for this award winning design?

We are planning to expand Morph into our studio artwork collection theme. We found there are a lot of other forms we could turn into it.

How long did it take you to design this particular concept?

Initial, we spent a month time for preparing the concepts, logo and application designs. And we continued work on this in this year.

Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?

Morph is one of our design pitching projects for a top hotel brand, but we were not signed as the design consultant. As the design theme was created by Mars, we decide to explore the concept further in our upcoming artwork collection.

Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?

We will consider producing a series of artwork for our Mars Artwork Collection or selling it to an appropriate client.

What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?

Liangzhu is a well-known legend story to Chinese, and as well as the butterfly symbols. But what makes it unique is the design and how we transform a traditional theme to edgy and modern elements.

How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?

The name Morph was given by the hotel operator side. It represents a particular kind of morpho butterflies. If you look at Wikipedia, you will find the name morpho, meaning “changed” or “modified”.

What is the role of technology in this particular design?

The made a kaleidoscope liked animation, which you could find from our company website.

Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?

A few visits to modern and traditional Chinese restaurants and bars in Asia, to get inspired by the different dining experience. Immersing the soul into the Chinese culture, cuisine and studied the dining habits. The research does not only stop capturing the way of how they layout the menu but to really understand the whole dining ritual and new generational dining style.

How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?

Competition or awards could probably let more people know Mars Design from the crowds. It is important for the start-up and we should not give up anyway to show our works. But we will never make designs for awards.

Design Legend Interview

24 questions

Graduated in 2007 as a graphic designer and in 2010 gained a master's degree from the Design and Brand Strategy of the University of Brunel London.

Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

Graduated in 2007 as a graphic designer and in 2010 gained a master's degree from the Design and Brand Strategy of the University of Brunel London.

Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

To be a designer and artist is my life goal since very young, and I have never question about it.

What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

We mainly work for high-end hospitality projects, and we have a wide range of services. Our services include branding, hotel collaterals, amenities, packaging, signage wayfinding and artwork selections.

What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

Travelling, reading, observing and listening.

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

The difference is whether your design inspired or help others to get better.

What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

A good design is a solution to answer the question of human needs. To make your life easier, better and hopeful.

What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

We are looking forward to work with more top hotel operators, like Four Seasons and Aman Resorts.

What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

To make it pretty.

Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

Zaha Hadid, Vivienne Westwood and Marcel Wanders

What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

The signage design for our Six Senses Barwara project in Rajasthan. The unique cultural associates the royal spirits and local craftsmanship.

How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

Collecting inspiration from travels. As a designer you should not lock yourself in the room, you should always keep exploring new things.

If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?

To be a designer and artist is my life goal since very young, and I have never question about it.

How do you define design, what is design for you?

Design is a solution to answer the question of human needs. To make your life easier, better and hopeful.

What helped you to become a great designer?

Your experience, talents and interest.

How do you think designers should present their work?

To let others find your work.

What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

Currently, we are working on a few new hotel branding projects in Beijing.

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

Be yourself not others.

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

Angela: The roof bar Morph, at Kempinski Hotel Hangzhou. Although we only entered the design pitching for this project, we enjoyed this type of legend story theme. And thanks A Design Award to give us this opportunity to show our concepts to the public.

Nico: Congo Palace, it’s a hotel branding.

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

We will found ourselves in awe of how digital changed so many aspects of our life. The way we work and socialize are all different than before, as well as the design platform. For instance, graphics is turning its way to animated graphics instead.

How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

It really depends on what you are working with. If you are working on a product, it may take months for prototyping. It may just take you a day to design the logo if you already had a solution in your mind.

When you have a new design project, where do you start?

The design should always start from sketches, not from your screen.

Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

Both. The design needs to meet human needs and at the same time, good design will leading you to gain something new.

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

Your experience and mistakes.

How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

Awards could probably let more people know Mars Design from the crowds. It is important for the start-up and we should not give up any chance to show our works. But we will never make designs for awards.

Designer Interview

35 questions

Angela: I graduated in 2007 as a graphic designer and in 2010 gained a master's degree from the Design and Brand Strategy of the University of Brunel London.

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?

Angela: I graduated in 2007 as a graphic designer and in 2010 gained a master's degree from the Design and Brand Strategy of the University of Brunel London.

To be a designer and artist is my life goal since very young, and I have never question about it.

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

Mars Design established in 2014 in Singapore, and I am the co-founder and creative director of Mars Design since 2017. We mainly work for high-end hospitality projects, and we have a wide range of services. Our services include branding, hotel collaterals, amenities, packaging, signage wayfinding and artwork selections.

What is "design" for you?

Angela: Design is a solution to answer the question of human needs. To make your life easier, better and hopeful.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

Angela: I love all kinds of design, product, environmental, fashion, jewellery, graphic design. I don't think we should put a line to differ them; for me, they only have one category.

Nico: Layout

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

Angela: The roof bar Morph, at Kempinski Hotel Hangzhou. Although we only entered the design pitching for this project, we enjoyed this type of legend story theme. And thanks A Design Award to give us this opportunity to show our concepts to the public.

Nico: Congo Palace, it’s a hotel branding.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

Angela: In the internship period. A collection of illustrations for MSN promotion campaigns.

Nico: Magazine layout design

When do you feel the most creative?

Angela: If you are a creative person, that means creative is a part of your body and you can always feel your creativity lives inside you. Even when you walk, sleep, swim or eat, they could come from nowhere.

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

Angela: Visual, definitely.

Nico: Details.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

Angela: Exciting.

Nico: Depends on different projects.

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

Angela: You will always feel good to realize your designs in front of your clients or customers.

Nico: Feel good.

What makes a design successful?

Angela: When you feel it is successful and when you heard good feedback among others not only from the person who paid for it.

Nico: Idea

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

Angela: A good design should make you feel good. It should bring to something new, not just repeat what others doing or trying to be trendy.

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

Angela: To improve people's living style and aesthetic in a long term goal.

Nico: To help people and improve their life.

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

We will found ourselves in awe of how digital changed so many aspects of our life. The way we work and socialize are all different than before, as well as the design platform. For instance, graphics is turning its way to animated graphics instead.

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

Angela: Looking forward to having a design and art exhibition in the coming years, wish to exhibit in both Europe and Asia.

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

Collecting inspiration from travels. As a designer you should not lock yourself in the room, you should always keep exploring new things.

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?

They are edgy and exquisite. Design in an artistic style and every piece of design need to approach a certain aesthetic standard in Mars.

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?

We lived in Singapore and our hometown is in Shanghai. You won’t feel much difference between clients in Shanghai to European or South East Asia, they could accept a variety artistic style. But if you are facing a Beijing client, you will definitely feel how important to know Chinese culture and bring it to every detail of your design.

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

Angela: Look at potentials and if he’s got a good personality not only the design ability.

Nico: Look at his design talents.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

Design should always start from sketches, not from your screen.

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

Angela.

Vase, plates, sofa, armchair and carpet

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

Be yourself not others.

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

There’re so many good things as being a designer, your creativity is valuable, you have the change to make a positive difference to the world, you get to see people interact with your work.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Angela: Be yourself not others.

What skills are most important for a designer?

To visualise or produce your idea.

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

Setting a schedule for your deadlines.

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

It really depends on what you are working with. If you are working on a product, it may take months for prototyping. It may just take you a day to design the logo if you already had a solution in your mind.

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

Most of the clients will ask you for more design options, even you already put the best in front of him.

What was your most important job experience?

Angela: Working as a product designer for three years when I was a fresh graduate. It let me realized that I love all kinds of designs.

Nico: Working as the co-founder and director of MARS.

Who are some of your clients?

Real estate

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

Angela: It depends on what kind of design work you are comparing. If you compare product and graphics, I will say to be a product designer you can probably get more feedback, you will see people buying and using your designs.

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

We will put more time to expanding our business.

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

Yes, at the moment we have five people working in the Singapore office and 8 in Shanghai.

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

Currently, we are working on a few new hotel branding projects in Beijing.

How can people contact you?

You can find my email address here,

angela.lu@marsdesignsg.com

nico.xu@marsdesignsg.com

Keep Reading

More Designer Interviews

Read designers.org interviews to discover the philosophy, the creative process and the work of more award-winning designers.

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate

Data Source

The design interview data shown in our design interview page with Mars Design Consultants regarding Morph Food and Beverage Branding comes from the Design Interviews platform, where leading designers, architects and brands are interviewed regarding their award-winning designs, products and projects.