Interviews with Melissa Mae Tan

Keeping things simple and honest makes for a better design than one that has too much things going on.

I wanted to show the Philippine market that local designers and materials have great potential.

from concept to actual product took about 4-5 months.

this design was made as part of the initial collection of a company we are setting up, Beyond Function

This product is produced by our furniture manufacturing company that has been in operation since the 70s.

As an architect working on various residential and retail projects, I saw the lack of locally designed and produced furniture that showcases local talent craftsmanship and materials.

This chair was designed for everyone. It is a sleek, classy and versatile piece that is also very affordable.

The use of an indigenous material, rattan, in such a modern approach is quite uncommon. The silhouette of the chair is a mix of modern and traditional which gives it a cozy feel but with an edgy detail.

Haleiwa is a town in North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii. Growing up, I used to visit Oahu a lot and never passed up a chance to visit my favorite town. Like the chair, for me, Haleiwa is the epitome of a relaxing tropical sight. The chair makes me feel like i am on a relaxing tropical vacation.

I went traditional with this one and did not use any computer programs designing. Concept drawings were by hand and the actual making of the product was all handmade at well.

The most challenging for me was the analysis and balance between design aesthetics and structural integrity. Where to locate support members that it wont take away the look of the design.

I wanted to prove that our local talent is at par with international because I find that its been a trend here to always look for imported goods thinking they are better.

I finished my bachelors in architecture at the university of santo tomas in manila, philippines

ive always been into creating things since i was young. i like the idea of physically seeing my work, the process, the finished product.

i chose architecture as my major because i like the science aspect of the art

i have designed buildings, homes, retail interiors, and most recently, furniture and accessories

do not limit your imagination and keep creating whatever is in your mind

both good and great designers create beautiful things but great designers create with intent and meaning

i believe that really good designs arent just pleasing to the eyes but are also carefully thought through. small details that are barely noticeable but create a large impact on the piece

good design gives satisfaction to the user both visually, emotionally and physically. seeing things that are well designed for the first time or the hundredth time will still give the same satisfying feeling.

the secret to design is to keep on refining. there is always room to improve

my favorite project would be the residential triplex project i designed. the best part i believe is the layout, flow and relationship of the houses.

accepting mistakes and flaws, it may be very difficult to hear them but we all need to grow and learn from them

Design for me is purposeful aesthetics. It isn't just about looking good, but about having intention.

with furniture design, my father is most important because he started manufacturing furniture in the 70s and he has been a great mentor and inspiration. his company has been a great help to my design journey.

i believe that my travels have exposed me to many different cultures and designs.

i may have taken a pause from architecture but i plan to create my own studio in the future combining different fields of design

design should enhance the use of certain objects and spaces. they take their surroundings into consideration and this in turn creates seamless relationships between users and the environment

design is becoming more aware of the environment and this is a very good step forward because design is everywhere and is being used daily.

i usually think of an appropriate concept making sure that there are proper relationships between the design and the environment it will be in

there's always room for improvement

i believe trends set design because trends are usually a reflection of the evolution of how people live currently

having 3d models really help especially for presentation purposes.

color and materials have a large role in setting a mood. they play a major part in relating the different components of design and space

i usually look at the small details because those are often overlooked but they are, for me, the most difficult to perfect in a design

the most important part of winning this competition for me is that i have proven that local philippine design and materials are not falling behind from the rest of the world

i like neutral colors like grey and white as well as natural tones and usually blue for a subtle pop. the beach is my favorite place, its the whole package. a relaxing view with the sound of the waves crashing. chinese and japanese food would be my favorite, they can be so simple and they can be intricate but always interesting.

seeing things that are well designed usually calms my mood. then it always evolves into me carefully analyzing different aspects of the design and learning from them as well. im motivated when i see beautiful things.

i was always interested in creating things with my hands and im a very visual person.

I have a bachelors degree in architecture from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. I have always been interested in the aesthetics of objects and buildings and loved creating things with my hands.

Beyond Function is a newly formed company that was created with the intention of proving local design and craftsmanship can be at par if not better for the local market.

Design for me is purposeful aesthetics. It isn't just about looking good, but about having intention.

I am trained in architecture and I enjoy that as well as interiors. In line with those, I recently got the opportunity to design furniture and accessories for the new company we started.

i'm most drawn to minimalist designs. i believe that it takes mush more talent to design something beautiful with just simple elements, getting the right balance between something and nothing.

the first project i worked on for a company was the design of a beach resort

i love the use of natural materials, especially wood.

i feel that creativity strikes at any time. there is so much in the world that can inspire us, but my favorite inspiration is that from unexpected sources.

i'm drawn to the small details when designing, whether its a structure, an interior space or a piece of furniture.

curiosity is the most prevalent

i feel joy when i am inspired and i'm excited to share my designs with people.

a successful design for me is when i feel at peace with the final output. though i acknowledge that refining the design is not out of the question, when i feel complacency with the general idea, i know that it is a success for me.

first impressions usually make or break a certain design however i am one for giving the story behind the design an equal weight.

the designer must always take into consideration the effects and consequences of their design to the immediate surroundings and environment, especially the users. it must not be a design just for the sake of design, but it must have a purpose.

design is becoming more aware of the environment and this is a very good step forward because design is everywhere and is being used daily.

my inspiration comes from unexpected experiences, through travel, daily encounters and others.

my style is simple in the big picture point of view but further scrutiny will reveal small details that are meticulously thought through

living in the Philippines has definitely affected my design style. it is a more relaxed style but with sophistication in its own way. the Philippines is a good experimental ground for design because we have a lot manpower to help us bring our designs to life. however, i often think about how complacent builders are with their processes, so sometimes the result can be quite conservative.

i am fortunate enough to have easy access to the manufacturing company of our family. I feel comfortable explaining my designs to the builders so they understand the intent of the design.

my suggestion is to find out the design style and personality of the designer and see if it matches your companies values, style and personality as well. this way the design process will be smoother and quicker.

do not limit yourselves only to what is possible.

it is always a good thing to have the capability to translate thoughts to physical design, but there is always that part of you that is very hard to please, because we are our own biggest critics.

there's always room for improvement

it is most important to be able to clearly interpret what is in your thoughts into something tangible

i usually set time aside for creating, its not always followed because there are many things that distract me, but htye are always welcome because i believe i still learn from these distractions

being an architect has exposed me to a lot of difference situations and i have learned so many things from all those

i may have taken a pause from architecture but i plan to create my own studio in the future combining different fields of design

i always like working with a team because i believe that an outsiders perspective is always important. sometimes you can be too close to your work that you cant see the big picture.