Interview with Exodus Solutions

Onedor in itself is an experimental project that aims to break the boundaries of the classic definition of design; we do carbon accounting and help our clients solve business problems through all means of design, not just graphics and communication. We are also trying to innovate our own product to tackle the energy problems the world faces.

A way to build a common language amongst various stakeholders and a tool to solve complex problems, as the process of design is really a series of decisions to be made.

Something out of expressionism or, not design-like.

A logo refinement for Gateway computers, unfortunately it no longer exists.

Post-its, Asana, Toggl, and Excel.

When the numbers add up or when there is a solid rationale behind what is to be designed.

Rationale and how it would actually, or quantifiably, benefit my clients.

I try to be scientific and meticulous when I work, as it is not always about aesthetics alone.

I feel great and happy that I can help with whatever the client needs. My achievement depends on their success.

It is not just the designer's instinct or gut feeling; it has a solid grounding to which it represents. And it did, in fact, resolve a challenge that the client is facing.

Rationale.

Designers can do much more than they imagine; as designers, we should equip ourselves to participate in global topics in many ways, in ways more than just communication.

The future of design, or designers, should be that of an engineer; that is why one of the leading universities in the world invented the program called design engineering, which is to solve engineering problems through the means of creative process.

When I am invited.

Outside the design field; science and technology, management articles, and global topics.

Meticulous and scientific. Otherwise, we are easily trapped in preferential bias, which I believe a lot of designers are suffering from.

I grew up in the Caribbean, am trained in the States, worked in Shanghai, and now I am based in Taiwan. They all trained me and contributed to how I approach a project from different perspectives.

Communication and sharing of what I know, listen, then combine with their expertise to formulate a mutually acceptable outcome. That is the reason I hold workshops quite often, almost in all the major project I handle.

Designers have to have the ability to listen and interpret, like an analyst. They have to ask hard questions and the ability to sit with data and identify the root problem of any inquiry.

Communication and sharing of what I know, listen, then combine with their expertise to formulate a mutually acceptable outcome. That is the reason I hold workshops quite often, almost in all the major project I handle.

I don't possess any designer items.

I try to think ahead for my clients and their needs, and do work.

Expand beyond design, it's only a tool, but how you choose to use the tool is entirely up to you.

It's not like the glamourous title of a PhD, or an architect even, you have to slowly build up your knowledge and skillset, which takes years of exploration and devotion, which can be a good or bad thing.

Do things properly. Do more than expected. Respect.

The ability to read data, formulate strategy, and constant curiosity to content outside the realm of design.

Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe, Post-its, anything that can help me communicate and make my point to my audience and create a shared understanding.

Choose to leave your desk when it's time.

It depends; this is a vague question.

tenniel.liu@onedor.co