Interviews with Fuka Interior Decoration Sdn Bhd

I have been in this industry for 20 years but I do not think that I have learnt everything. Life if a series of learning process and it allows me to learning something new everyday. I may be experienced in interior design but I would not say that I'm done learning.

I have always loved arts and design ever since I was a kid but my passion for designing did not spark until graduating from high school. I’ve enrolled myself in an art academy after high school and from there, I grew into loving spaces to where I am now. I know I wanted to be more involved in designing when I know that I am able to repurpose discarded items by giving them a new light.

Design to me is being innovative in a space. Being able to create something that would be able to better ones life and to get the best living experience and lifestyle of the environment. I do not rely on digital tools as I am more of a pencil and paper guy but my team would then help me translate all those digitally with renders to make it more presentable for the clients. My approach when working on a new project has always been understanding what the client wants with their budget and then plan out the best workable plan.

Its different all the time, depending on the current mood. I would be over the moon whenever I am able to fulfil all my own standard requirement for the design and probably would be stressful whenever I am unable to achieve my ideal design. Definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions.

Besides being interested in arts, what made me a designer is probably my communication skills. I have learned to speak up for my design instead of letting others dictate what I do and it should be that way because we are skilled in what we do and we should be the one advising the customers instead of them advising us.

Currently we are trying to expand the company business to beyond just in Malaysia so, we do hope that the next step would be Taiwan as we are dipping in to the market there. I want our company to be internationally recognized by our design and great workmanship with easy handover. In future, I would hope that we would be able to design something which would be well recognized around the world as a landmark that would just blow everyone's mind.

What I can say is that designers should go out and enjoy what is life. Without really experiencing the moment of being the person who is using the space you will never be able to design the space. It's true that designers does an extensive work in researching the designs but without truly experiencing, there's always something there that is not grasped. Keep moving forward and never stop learning.

Listening is always a good practice because you will learn more than you think and speak only when you need to add value. Practice on your critical thinking when dealing with tough situations but ask for opinions.

Mornings will always be coffee first and then replying messages from clients. When that is done, I will probably be going to office or to meetings. During boring businesses day, I would just scroll on archdaily to check out what is new just to kill time. That's the typical day to day for me.

I do keep myself open with the latest design trends just to know what is happening around me but we do have a certain style and design for our company that we do not usually stray away unless we are trying something new because I believe that the client is looking for me for the certain style that I am good with but of course, if they do want something different, I would know what they are referring to.

You can judge a good and a bad design but this something really subjective. I would say that a good design is something that you are able to bring comfort make one's living easy. A bad design is something that would make your life miserable or if you are better off without it then it's probably something that is not a good design as a good design is something that would make you need it like a drug.

You will know it when you see it. Its just a feeling that comes to you and you know its complete because you will feel the satisfaction there. Deadlines are important to let you manage your time well so that you do not spend unnecessary time dwelling into it as well and move on with the next project.

A restaurant in my hometown "Tao". This is the first restaurant that I felt brought me the most satisfaction and it helped to locked in the design direction of my company. This is also the project that allows my company to propel to where it is now.

Yusaku Kaneshiro. If given a chance to talk to him, I would like to know how he got his inspirations from and what made him do the designs that he did. I love all his works and it gave me inspiration towards some of my current projects too.

I have always been a very chill guy enjoying the serene beauty of Mother Nature. I find the suburbs area of Asian countries such as Japan, China, Korean and etc with it's beautiful parks and hills very inspiring. The calmness and tranquil from it gives a sense of quality living which I felt effected most of my design projects as I would usually incorporate those elements in my design in hopes of bringing peace and harmony in a space. A good design is needed for the advancement of society because this would help to improve the quality living in each and every one of us. Imagine if the shape of a circle was never invented, how difficult it would be to move an object.

I work with my partner and I would like to think that I am a very easy person to work with (laughs). When looking for a business partner, worker, or just in general someone that I would be working together with, I would look for someone who is trustworthy. This is important because I would like to be able to share any issue coming up with them without worrying that any company information would be leaked out to the public. Besides that, someone who is committed and passionate to the job because design is not as easy as just drawing lines. It requires one to think as well and because its subjective, one design would go through varies of amendments before reaching to the final stage. Passion is needed if not, it would just be dead drawings.

We would always try to give back to the society whenever possible by helping those who are less fortunate. Whenever we could, we would bring the team to mingle with the orphans to hopefully try to develop some interest in drawing skills that they would probably be able to use when they are out in society. Other times, we would just make donations to the community. We would also join conferences or any even held by the schools if we were called to talk to the young designers in hopes that it would be able to help them understand a clearer path if they choose to be a designer in future and we do provide opportunities for young designers to work under our senior designers as interns if they were to look for us.

There’re many positive experiences coming out from the A’Design award. It boosted the confidence level of my team and made us work harder for upcoming projects. Besides that, with the recognition from the awards, it allows our company to gain more credibility to the public eye. Last but not least, the award allows us to widen our design senses when we were attending the award. We were able to see great designs from all over the world coming together and competing with one another in a healthy competition to improve oneself. The competition contributed not only by increasing the spiritual level of our company but it also allows us to gauge the design standard of our company when compared to the rest of the world.

I have always loved arts and design ever since I was a kid but my passion for designing did not spark until graduating from high school. I’ve enrolled myself in an art academy after high school and from there, I grew into loving spaces to where I am now. I know I wanted to be more involved in designing when I know that I am able to repurpose discarded items by giving them a new light.

Other great designers motivates me to design. Whenever I see great designs, it makes me feel like I needed to be in par with them to create something for the world to enjoy too hence me being a designer.

It has always been a passion of mine to be involve in something that is related to art ever since I was a child. It grew to be something more when I was more involve in construction when I was working under my father who owns a construction company. There, it developed my liking towards design.

My design would be those designs that would allow me to reuse and repurpose any unwanted or discarded items. I’m definitely the definition of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” because nothing excites me more than being able to find a new home for the discarded item and repurposed them into something meaningful to others with added bonus of being environmental friendly and I would hope to be able to do this more which would also help the environment.

They should get out of their comfort zone, travel and experience what is design. Ever little thing that they see is a design. Understand why it is done that way and how does it serve humans better. In other words, explore and experience.

Details. A good designer would design a functional chair, a great designer will design a functional chair with the most thoughtful design that would enhance the design making it something that you can not live without ever again.

A good design is something that would bring comfort, easy to understand and make one's life easy. Something that would blend into one's life easily and functions perfectly well.

One man's trash can be the other man's treasure is how I would place my value on the design depending on how I perceive the item based on it's purpose and functionality and everyone should invest on a good design if it brings them great comfort and joy in it because this is something that would elevate one's life.

I would design my own dream house if I had the time because there's so much that I would wish to incorporate in a residential that I am unable to design for my clients due to budget constrain or different taste in style.

My office as we are currently flooded with projects which I do hope that we will always be but jokes aside, I would hope that we are able to complete this as soon as possible as the team is growing and we would like to propel to a brighter future with a more comfortable setting for all. A conducive space is a productive space.

Be aggressive and bold. Do not hold back what you think is right or maybe right.

Yusaku Kaneshiro

My favorite would be Yusaku Kaneshiro from Zokie-Syudan, a Japanese based company. The designs are just unique in their own way which makes it stands out from the crowd.

A restaurant in my hometown "Tao". This is the first restaurant that I felt brought me the most satisfaction and it helped to locked in the design direction of my company.

In my opinion, if the person is capable, do travel. This would help to broaden one's mind. Experience something is very different than just watching it from TV. To be able to use all senses to touch, feel, see, hear and taste is what I would prefer to do.

I think I would be an antique collector.

Design to me is being innovative in a space. Being able to create something that would be able to better ones life and to get the best living experience and lifestyle of the environment.

My parents and my current team. My parents for believing and supporting me throughout the whole thing until who I am right now and my team who brought me to where I am now.

Experience, be it on site kind of experience or travel. All these are essential to a designer to built one's confidence and knowledge.

A lot of hardship. You'll stumble and fall a few times but you will learn from your design mistakes what to do and what not to do. Most important is that you learn from the mistake and be more mindful.

Design should be presented in any way that would help a designer express themselves. There's no 'the right way' or 'the wrong way' of presenting because everyone expresses design differently. Hence why design is subjective but the ultimate goal shall be allowing the viewers to understand what is presented without you saying a word. That would be a successful presentation.

My projects has always been F&B based and we are currently working on a project in Taiwan. What everyone should expect is that we would not only be based in Malaysia but we will be expending outside of Malaysia which we would then hope that we would be recognized world wide.

My ultimate goal is to be able to make my company a house whole name when it comes to designing and I would like to be able to guide and inspire designers to be bold when it comes to designing.

There's always an expectation from clients when they look for us to have the best residential or commercial or hospitality design but expectation is high now ever since we were awarded with some winning projects which I'm really humble towards the win and proud of my team for all the hard work.

When the design is functional and serves it purpose, making life easy for consumer then it has helped in creating a better society.

Currently we are working on a project in Taiwan and we are excited about a sculpture built as it would be the main focus as one enters the restaurant.

A hospitality project in Bukit Mertajam as we were able to design and complete the built in a short period of time with minimal defect.

There's a lot of changes happening even at this moment due to the pandemic so I would hope that designing in future would be something that can be worked out even when one person is miles away from the actual site with an easier communication method.

It has come a long way for designers in Malaysia to be honest as back in those days, being a designer is not something that would bring honor to the family and is mostly frowned upon. Doctors, accountants, lawyers are a more popular selection but nowadays, designers are more and more accepted in society and I would hope that design field is something that is more respectable in the future as we put as much effort as anyone else in other fields to be where we are.

Usually we would take about a month to complete the whole drawing as commercial designs are usually given less time due to the rent and work force expenses that the client would need to spend even before the renovation starts.

We start on the planning of the flow.

Play Hard, Work Smart.

I believe trends set the design. I've noticed that fashion would come first and then it would be followed by the next big color for interiors.

Technology helped my team into creating visuals that helped my client to visualize the built. This is important as artistic brains works differently with logically brains. Some people see colors and they can visualize a whole canvas while others, numbers are their canvas.

I'm more traditional. I don't really practice using any software. My tools are paper, pencil and scale ruler.

Colors and ambience would bring out either the warmth or a cool interior which materials adds texture to the interior making it interesting to the eye.

I would hope that they'll ask where did I get my inspiration from because when we are designing something, there must be a reason for the use. It gives the design a value and a place for it to be there.

It awes me to see how great minds work. How did that person comes out with such a beautiful idea to create such design/product.

Someone that is able to think on their feet in any given situation, work fast and understands design. I believe in co-design as two is always better than one.

Creative people with high ambition. They inspire me to 'just do it' and because of the positivity, it did encouraged me to try something that I would never in my mind think of doing.

Simon Salek's motivational books. I do not have any precise book that effected me on design but I do have motivational books that brought me to who I am right now. The way I think and see things which gave me a little more maturity.

By looking and studying a how people interact and work. Understand the flow of how things work is an advantage that would allow you to arrange and plan accordingly.

Yusaku Kaneshiro. I would like to meet with him, talk to him about his designs and work with him.

It is hard because you'll always need to maintain a certain standard of design once you're famous but in a way it is good because it would make us work harder to be the best.

Black, Japan, Variety of food, Winter, Antique, patek philippe

I'm a dull guy. I don't think I've much funny stuff to share on this as a designer at least not that I could think off.

Nothing beats a good feedback and satisfaction from a client. It motivates me to work harder for my future clients so that everyone would feel the same way.

It wasn't obvious until I've started working with my dad that I would then be interested in designing.

I would hope that in future, humans would learn or maybe they will be more united than divided as the earth goes through natural purging.

Well, I'm the one man's trash is another man's treasure kind of guy. I would just want others to know that sometimes you do not need to buy new to feel good. Sometimes, old is treasure.

I have always loved arts and design ever since I was a kid but my passion for designing did not spark until graduating from high school. I’ve enrolled myself in an art academy after high school and from there, I grew into loving spaces to where I am now. I know I wanted to be more involved in designing when I know that I am able to repurpose discarded items by giving them a new light.

Established in 2000 as a small company, we have now grown to a team with a few specialised department. We are very much known for our reuse and repurpose attitude towards design which made each and every one of our designs unique as all finds are one in a million.

Design to me is being innovative in a space. Being able to create something that would be able to better ones life and to get the best living experience and lifestyle of the environment.

I love designing for commercial interior mainly on F&B. It provides me the challenge of thinking outside the box for amazing themes that would be a centrepiece for the public to experience and admire. Inspiration could be from anything and everything and nothing is ever wrong.

My favourite design would be those designs that would allow me to reuse and repurpose any unwanted or discarded items. I’m definitely the definition of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” because nothing excites me more than being able to find a new home for the discarded item and repurposed them into something meaningful to others with added bonus of being environmental friendly.

The first that I’ve design was a newly wedded couple’s bedroom, introduced by a friend of a friend. It was defiantly and experience as the couple would entrust me with something so sacred to them and it pleases me when you get all positive feedback from the couple. That brought me to wanting to create more fulfilling designs to others because the satisfaction is phenomenal.

My favourite material would be “weathered natural wood” because I have always felt a strong connection with these material and knowing that I would be able to give it a new light somewhere I know it would be appreciated. The beauty is just there, remarkable by itself. Whenever I travel. That’s the time where I can see wonders. Ideas would be overflowing in my mind and I would be taking pictures of still objects whenever it inspires me. Travelling opens up my mind into seeing that anything is possible and there’s always ways to work on things.

Whenever I travel. That’s the time where I can see wonders. Ideas would be overflowing in my mind and I would be taking pictures of still objects whenever it inspires me. Travelling opens up my mind into seeing that anything is possible and there’s always ways to work on things.

As an interior designer, space planning is usually where I would put most of my focus as this is something that would effect the flow of work. A good planning is the first step to a great design and planning the space is the first step to a great functional interior.

Its different all the time, depending on the current mood. I would be over the moon whenever I am able to fulfil all my own standard requirement for the design and probably would be stressful whenever I am unable to achieve my ideal design. Definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions.

Ecstatic of course! Knowing that all your hardwork has been paid off and people do appreciate good design. Its the best feeling ever. It gives me a sense of pride and joy that no one is able to take it away from you. Probably close to seeing the birth of your child. That feeling is just priceless.

When you’ve exceeded the expectation set by the client. Detailing is everything! If you’re able to provide more than just service and make life easy for your client and it reciprocate with positive feedback. You’ve just hit the jackpot and that is what make the design a successful.

The functionality and practicality would be the first thing that I would consider in the design before judging a design’s aesthetic. Not to say that beauty isn’t important but its also taking the time to know a person than to judge a person’s exterior. If there’s not function, there’s no purpose.

As a designer, I do feel designers are as important as any other career options. This is because without us contributing to the society, the world would be a dull place. We are like the Yin to the Yang of Science. Both need to come together to make things a little less serious.

I think design is evolving rapidly as many now are more educated and appreciates the small little things. Many understands that design is getting more important to better one’s lifestyle. I would feel in future, less is more and we would try to be more minimalist. People would live on practicality and simplicity, going back to basics.

It was years ago when we had an exhibition in Malaysia and we have yet to plan for any yet in future but hopefully one day.

Inspiration comes from everywhere but to me, it mostly from nature. Being alone in the forest during a hike refreshes my mind and allows me to see in different perspective. It's just something about nature that has me. The combination of the cool breezy air and the sound of nature is just majestic.

I would say that my style is more to zen oriental and what made me explore this style is because I love the idea of repurposing old raw weather natural materials which is the main character of my style to something that would regain its prime again. I would very often scout for the log and get inspiration from it.

I was born and raise in Butterworth, Malaysia but it didn’t affect me much on the design as I would usually like to be inspired by everything. Design shouldn’t be restricted.

The pros are that we do not have a lot of competition and clients are genuinely nice in my state. The con on the other hand are because of the geographical location of our company, not many would appreciate the beauty of interior yet hence most of our clients are usually out station in bigger cities.

I believe having good relation with other companies would benefit us in a long run hence I do have made good connection with others. They have helped me brought up my company along the way as I have also learn much from them.

I would suggest the company to take their time understand the individual’s work before working with him/her. Communication is important. A designer should be able to able to communicate well with clients and the internal team. He/she should also be able understand the client well and be able to express and convey his/her ideas confidently. He/she should also need to have a certain artistic sense within them as this is something that would never be able to be taught.

Before starting the design, I would usually try to make an appoint to understand the client. Knowing and understanding the client is important because this is something that would able to propel you to what exactly what the client wants and hopefully exceeding their expectation. After that would be the standard operation procedures such as working on the plan, modelling and rendering and lastly preparing the presentation. All in all, also working closely with the client’s vision and budget.

First would be an antique music player/recorder which I bought it from a friend. The reason for my love for the music player is that it reminds me of the olden days hence it makes it such a valuable find.

Secondly would be my collectable vintage magazines. I’ve tore out some of my favourite ads and framed it as a collection on my wall. It still mesmerises me on how the ad works in the olden days. So much has changed on the way we advertise now. Eg, cigarettes was advertised as something that would make you look cool and now, something that would be damaging to health.

Thirdly would be the coffee table in my study which I’ve repurposed from a weathered natural log. It was cleaned, cut in shape and shellacked. Now it serves me really well and the centrepiece of my room.

Fourth, would be the design of the ceiling in my house. We have purposely designed it in a way where by no downlight would be visible. All lights are mainly hidden and from indirect source of light in order to create an ambience in the interior.

Last but not least, an antique iron cast from China which is so manual that you’ll have to load it with coals to create heat. I’ve repurposed a few by making it a functional table lamp. Something which I’m really happy to give a new light to.

My life is pretty simple, work, family, and enjoyment. Usually I would spend most of my time focus on work. Would give a little time on exercising. Then I would also go out to mingle around meeting new people. Opportunities dont just dont knocking on the door.

What I can say is that designers should go out and enjoy what is life. Without really experiencing the moment of being the person who is using the space you will never be able to design the space. It's true that designers does an extensive work in researching the designs but without truly experiencing, there's always something there that is not grasped. Keep moving forward and never stop learning.

The positive about being a designer is that you'll get the satisfaction when you see your creation coming to life. When it's shared with the public to feel and touch your creation, it makes it so much more worth it that you're involved in creating it.

The negative on the other hand is that when you are busy, you are focused way too much on work making less time for the family.

Understanding the flow in plan and the function of how things work is very important in interior design. Not giving enough thought to this would usually affect the efficiency and the purpose of the design. Of course this would also mean that one has to be sensitive to the surrounding. Once you are sensitive enough and know how things work, this would in return help in designing a great flow in interior.

I believe having a great design sense is important to allow the designer to see things in different perspective, to think outside the box. It is also important that a designer is able to collect all those experiences from previous works or adventures to further improve and enhance how a designer is able to provide all the little details in designing a space. Understanding the space even before the client is able to identify the issue.

Pencil, paper and my scale ruler is my best tool. I dont really fancy using software. I rely heavily on sketches and i felt that it brings out the best outcome

Delegation is work is important. Working as a team is important. There’s no “I” in team. Usually we would try to be progressive in office but when time comes, there are times when we do have to punch in extra time and work from home to be able to meet the deadline. Time management would usually be me allowing myself to spend at least an hour with my family and then back to the drawing board after even if it means working till the wee hours with my team.

Usually we would take about a month to complete the whole drawing as commercial designs are usually given less time due to the rent and work force expenses that the client would need to spend even before the renovation starts.

You’ll be surprised, education is important. Many would usually asked where I’ve graduated as they would like to know how well I'm equip with my design knowledge as well as where I get all my inspirations from because people are always curious with how designer mind works. This is because how we perceive stuff is always different from those who are more technical. Designers might see a lot from just one brush stroke while layman might just see it as a stroke. Our brains are just different that way.

A F&B commercial design (Asian buffet). That project was the toughest for me as we were unable to communicate with the client since he’s from America. It was during the time of construction when he finally came and started modifying the layout from scratch with the same deadline. My team and I had to made do with a lot of impromptu critical thinking on the spot. C&S engineers were involved in recalculating the structural load as one of the columns were removed. It was a massive headache but I’m glad its in the pass now and it though my team and I valuable lessons to think on your feet. It was definitely an experience of a lifetime.

To name a few, we have worked with Ivory Properties, GTM Group, Belleview Group in Penang, Malaysia which is under the Developer’s category. Factories would be Nationgate, Jinko Solar, Tortor Food Industry and Plexus. On the other hand on servicing, we have also worked with UOB bank, Bangkok Bank and CIMB bank and VanGohh Hotel.

I enjoy working on F&B commercial design the most as I would be able to think out of the box and be totally innovative with ideas. Residential designs are more restricted as it has to follow a certain criteria since it would be for a different usage. Commercial project are also for many to enjoy as this would be seen by many. That is a satisfaction is just amazing.

I are planning to go international as we are slowly penetrating to other Asian countries but at the moment the company is still taking this slow as there’s still a lot of planning to do. Hopefully one day we would be known worldwide besides just Asian countries. That would be the goal.

It depends on the project. Sometimes I would delegate the work out and discuss as a team, other times, the project may seem that I would just be able to handle hence I would take the opportunity to work on it myself.

Currently the company is planning to learn more about development and work beyond just interior design. We are currently working closely with the architect and are trying to be more involve in architectural in hopes that we would be able to excel in both interior and architectural design. We are also working on the branding for the development so we are planning to be the one stop solution to a company in future, that we would be able to provide not just interior design but exterior opinion and how the company should be brand.

Usually my clients are through referrals but they can contact us through our website. We have all our contact and information provided there.

I would hope that the society would take care of the environment a little more and realised that we only have Earth as our home. There’s always beauty in the old. Whenever we can reuse and repurpose anything, we should always go for that alternative to avoid creating more unnecessary waste that would clutter the world for our future generation. Being environmental friendly should be the way of life.