Interview with Pan Yong

Pan Yong, also known as Alex, is a Singaporean artist renowned for his innovative approach to art. Graduating from Lasalle College of the Arts in 2007 with a degree in interactive art, he embarked on…

Pan Yong

Designer of the Day Interview

14 June 2023

I have been being a designer for about 6 years and have been being a programmer for 4 years. I have done quite a large number of websites, including some famous ones such as Sakae Sushi Singapore, Ang Mo Kio town council official site.

I like drawing since I was a very little boy. At my young age, I was very easily attracted by beautiful colors, especially those color pencils selling in the art store. Then I started the official study of art in the most famous art school in Shanghai, Hua Shan art school, for 4 years. After graduation, I entered Tong Ji University studying advertising for 3 years. And then, I got the scholarship from Lasalle Colledge of the Arts in Singapore. So I continue studying art for 4 years. With a passion for art, I became a designer.

I usually put user experience, the top function of the project, and the choice of technology (coding language) as top priorities.

Most of the time, I feel calm. Sometimes I feel energetic. When my design astonished people, I feel excited and full of fulfillment.

My background is fine art. I'm also curious about how technology can create new things. I think the passion for art and my curiosity shaped me as a designer.

I grow from a little boy who loves colors, to an artist. After that, I learned how to code. As for the future plan, to live my life well. I wish my watch face designs could become stock watch faces on those big smartwatch brands.

Spend more time to explore the world, feel the world, read the world. Use your eyes and heart more rather than hands. Live your life. You don’t need to learn to be a designer first and then to live your life. Learn to live your life first, and then you will know when to be a “designer”.

Try not to explain art. Just feel it.

I spent most of the day sitting behind the screen, working as UX designer and front end developer. When I feel tired, stand up and walk around. After work, usually, have a drink or listen to music at home.

Read up some design or fashion magazines, even sci-fi ones. It will help grow your innovation power. I think the design trends matter when you want your designs to last for a long period of time (e.g 3- 5 years). Sometimes you even need to think beyond the design trends.

When the user gets astonished. When the user feels like to come back and expects more from the designer.

It's hard to say how to decide a design is ready. I think design cannot be completed even it's ready. A design might be ready in a certain period of time, might not be suitable for another period of time.

There is a website done by me which made me proud of myself. It's the official website of NKF (The National Kidney Foundation Singapore). I learned a lot from it, not only design skill, but programming skill as well.

Jony Ive. His iPhone4. Yes, iPhone4. I’m not talking about the whole iPhone series. I’m not talking about the iPhone 2G (1st generation), although it re-defined the phone. The iPhone4 moved the antenna from inside to outside, which nobody dares to try. Apple made a breakthrough. Even iPhone4 did have the antenna problem in the end, but it paved the way for iPhone4s (and future models) to refine it. Eventually, the outside antenna becomes a success.

I lived in Shanghai for 24 years. Now I live in Singapore. The living experience in both two countries actually helps me a lot in my design. Shanghai has its own particular culture called “海派文化（an exotic boutique and Shanghai-only type)”. Singapore is a multi-cultural country and has its unique culture called “Nonya”. When both two cultures combine, it gives me a wide range of inspirations. Sometimes it makes me feel that technology seems to be the limitation.

I guess it should be “try to be patient”. An important skill for a designer is being able to convince your inner self. As a designer, you need to be patient to convince the client. You need to be patient to convince your manager. You need to be patient to convince your inner self.

I believe that a designer should be responsible for pushing society forward and for making a refined environment. Not only think about how to satisfy customers, but also should consider whether the design can take our society to the next level. We design for the future.

I saw a lot of great designers from all over the world in different design areas. I have a very good opportunity to learn from them.

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Design Legend Interview

14 June 2023

I have a degree (2007) and a diploma (2006) in Interactive Art of Media Arts, both are from Lasalle Colledge of the Arts, in Singapore.

I started learning drawing at 16 years old. At a very young age, I was always curious about colors. I still remember how I felt when I saw those color pencils laid down on the shelf. Those color pencils sold in the art store somehow calmed me down. Sometimes I even wonder why everything has “bright” and “dark”. Yeah, a young boy was attracted by the “light” and “shadow” in the world. I guess that is why I still keep the passion for “art” when others dropped it. “Design” to me is a driving force, a leading force. When others do not have a clue, I already had. That is “design” to me. It makes me proud.

I chose to be a designer. A young boy was attracted by the colors. I believe designing can contribute to the future.

I like to design anything that related to product design, e.g wearables, and mobile devices.

I’m not a legend. What should young designers do? I would say, spend more time to explore the world, feel the world, read the world. Use your eyes and heart more rather than hands. Live your life. You don’t need to learn to be a designer first and then to live your life. Learn to live your life first.

I think a good designer focuses on current happenings in the world, while a great designer more tends to think about the future. The great designer thinks more about something that hasn’t happened.

When the user gets astonished. When the user feels like to come back and expects more from the designer.

I believe a good design not only can add value to the design itself and its customers but add more value to the future society and make our environment a better place as well. A good design improves humanity.

Basically, anyone, as long as who doesn’t intend to get the work done for free. Nothing is free in design.

I wish I could design watch faces for those big brands and potential watchmakers in the watch industry (if they have made a smartwatch, or plan to.)

Try not to start designing for the sake of design. Try not to look for inspiration. Sometimes it comes by chance. Try not to explain art, just feel it.

Jony Ive, Issey Miyake, Craig Mullins

I like iPhone4 from Jony Ive. Yes, iPhone4. I’m not talking about the whole iPhone series. I’m not talking about the iPhone 2G (1st generation), although it re-defined the phone. The iPhone4 moved the antenna from inside to outside, which nobody dares to try. Apple made a breakthrough. Even iPhone4 did have the antenna problem in the end, but it paved the way for iPhone4s (and future models) to refine it. Eventually, the outside antenna becomes a success.

It’s hard to decide which one is the greatest. A different design has a different aspect of a strong point. For me, I think there is one design worth mentioning. That was a logo I designed in 2000 when I was in Hua Shan Art school in Shanghai. My design won the school sports games logo design competition. The school sports games used my logo. It made me proud and a little bit famous.

Explore the world. Stay with the latest design trend. Try to think about what people haven’t thought of.

I might have become a programmer in the IT world, coding interface.

“Design” comes into the picture at the moment when others do not have an idea “what to do” but I know “what to do”. “Design” is an accomplishment that makes others think “Wow, I’ve never seen this before. How could it be like that! Why couldn’t I think of that?”

When I had my second job, after I lost the first one, I met my department manager. He taught me how to live when I was kind of lost myself. I learned something from him. I learned how to see things around me.

I was born in Shanghai, China, and lived there for 24 years. Now I live in Singapore. The living experience in both two countries actually helps me a lot in my design. Shanghai has its own particular culture called “海派文化（an exotic boutique and Shanghai-only type)”. Singapore is a multi-cultural nation and has its unique culture called “Nonya”. When both two cultures combine, it gives me a wide range of inspirations. Besides, of course, those works from famous design masters like Jony Ive, Issey Miyake, etc. Their works taught me a way of seeing and thinking.

I think the obstacle will be learning to convince myself. As a designer, sometimes I need to convince myself to make tough decisions. Be creative and, at the same time, be flexible.

I prefer designers to present their works as close to the end product as possible. Not only is it easier to convince, but frustrations are avoided in the end.

I will continue to design watch faces as watch face design is my current research area.

My ultimate goal is to live well.

I will continue to pursue better outcomes from my design.

A designer should be responsible for pushing the society forward and for making a refined environment. Not only think about how to satisfy customers, but also should consider whether the design can take our society to the next level. We design for the future.

At the current moment, I start thinking of refining the first prototype of my other watch face. This watch face has become version 2 and version 3. But people keep asking for the first version which actually is just a prototype. I guess it’s time to make it version 1.

As I said before, that was a logo I designed in 2000 when I was in Hua Shan Art school in Shanghai. My logo participated in the school sports games logo design competition. The school sports games used my logo. It made me proud and a little bit famous. This is the first time I won a design competition.

I would like to see some products or services, those innovations that could re-define the way people live again. We saw how iPhone re-defined the phone. We saw how Apple Music and Spotify changed the way people listen to music. I would like to see such innovations coming.

I think the next design direction will be on the services for people to better interact with their mobile devices.

I would say that a month or two could be the ideal time. Along the way, projects might keep changing and evolving.

I think I will start putting myself into the user’s shoes. This is a good way to understand the end user’s needs and produce great user experience.

Try not to explain art. Just feel it.

It depends on how designers play the role in “design”. If designers play a “leading” role, like Jony Ive, they make the design set the trends. But if designers just want to satisfy their clients and get the project done, they are playing the “follower” role, they make the trends set the design.

When I design, I put the technology in a quite important position. Because it somehow limits the range of imagination. Besides, it also determines whether the project could be extendable in the future.

iPad and Apple Pencil. iMac with Photoshop, Sketch, Illustrator. Coding IDE such as webstorm, Android studio, etc.

They are very important. The combination of colors and materials defines the user’s mood and experience. The ambient (environment) also plays a critical role. The ambient and the colors or materials relate to each other. Different relationship produces a different mood and experience.

I like it when people ask: “Where can I get/buy your design?”

I will ask myself: “What can I learn from it? Why is it so attractive to me?”

Ideal design partner? Maybe someone who has the characteristic of “willing to listen and accept”. Like I said before, the obstacle of being a great designer is whether you can convince yourself to accept. Everyone has an ego. It’s how much willing to listen and accept that make you great designer and ideal design partner.

I guess some strangers on the internet who interacted with my social media posts have an influence on my design. For example, my two award-winning watch face designs, quite a large amount of people tried those watch face prototype and gave me a lot of wonderful feedback. They helped a lot. Thank them!

I read the magazine ImagineFX quite a lot.

For technical skill, as I make more and more projects, my skills get improved. For my innovative skill, see the world with a heart. Feel it, watch it, explore it.

Steve Jobs and Jony Ive.

The award and recognition do helped expose my work to the world. But I’m not doing my designs for the sake of being famous. I focus on producing better artwork. People become famous because of their works, not awards (although awards do help).

Favorite brand: Apple. Favorite place: anywhere I can merge myself into the crowd. But I prefer quiet places by the way. Color, food, season? I’m not sure. I eat a lot.

I joined my previous company as front end developer, yes, I know how to code, and I joined as a coder. After just a few days, our team manager saw my design works, he immediately decided to let me do the design job. The funny thing was after other team managers saw my design, they all came to my team manager asking whether can borrow me to help them or not.

It makes my day great when people see my work and yell out: “Wow, you really did that? Oh my……….”. It really motivates me.

No, I like drawing when I was a little boy. I thought I will be an artist.

In a thousand years, people perhaps do things on their skin, send emails from wearables like glasses.

Ask me whether I open to a new job opportunity, or open to a new project to co-design, maybe?

Designer Interview

14 June 2023

The Artalex is just a simple name, consists of “Art” and “Alex”. Quite straightforward, Alex learns art, that is Artalex. A few years ago, I started thinking that I should come up with a name. Maybe I could use it for my future? Maybe I will set up my own studio? But at least, I need a name.

I like challenging things. Those things that bring people fresh experiences. Like I said, those works that can make people think “Wow, how could it be like that!”

iPhone4. Yes, iPhone4. I’m not talking about the whole iPhone series. I’m not talking about the iPhone 2G (1st generation), although it re-defined the phone. The iPhone4 moved the antenna from inside to outside, which nobody dares to try. Apple made a breakthrough. Even iPhone4 did have the antenna problem in the end, but it paved the way for iPhone4s (and future models) to refine it. Eventually, the outside antenna becomes a success.

I couldn’t remember the first design I did for a company. But I do remember one project I did for my friend’s company. It is a set of icons for a food order POS system on the iPad. At that time I was trying to implement the sense of Zen. People went into the restaurant having dinner, might be trying to release their stress after work. So the sense of Zen can calm customers down. The idea behind is to let people have a peaceful dinner. It’s very simple.

I haven’t figured out which one is my favorite technology. So far for my watch face, I’m using watchmaker app and android studio.

When I’m half-drunk. Yes, sometimes creativity needs “sober”. What I mean by “sober” here is that we all live in a distractive world. We somehow don’t know what we want clearly enough. That’s when “sober” comes into the picture. Drink a little bit, get yourself half-drunk, forget about “something“ in real life, then you have a clear mind to think about what you truly want. It’s ok to have a drink.

User experience. It not only helps my product keep existing users coming back, but also makes my design attract more potential users.

A little bit of curiosity. I’m curious about what my current design will become? I’m curious about how people will react to my solution.

I feel fulfilled and am proud of myself.

When the user gets astonished. When the user feels like to come back and expects more from the designer.

The users’ response to the design. To me, I don’t think there is “good” or “bad” design. There is “excellent” or “ordinary” design. If a design failed to impress the users, it is an ordinary design.

The “design” nowadays is more and more focused on the “relationship” between design and user rather than being focused on the design itself. The future of design, I guess, is the focus on how much a design can contribute to society refinement and on making our environment a better place for future generations.

I haven’t held my own exhibition. The last exhibition I participated was in my art college, final year exhibition, in 2007. I hope I can have my own one in the next one or two years.

I like artworks from Craig Mullins (www.goodbrush.com) very much. His paintings make the viewer feel the light. When you look at his artwork, you can really feel the volume of the light, regardless of the brush strokes are fine or rough. So I learned a very important concept from him, that is, every piece of art has its relationship to the surroundings. Art never exists separately by its own. So in the case of design, whatever you do, your design should have the spirit to make contact with surroundings.

I would say: “Try to be ultimate simplicity with clear functionality.” With such style, my design not only can reduce a large amount of user’s learning time but also make the user feel the beauty of my design much faster. So, the approach? I imagine myself as an end user, and ask myself: “What is the most important function I need here? What’s the simplest way to achieve it?”

I was born in Shanghai, China, and lived there for 24 years. Now I live in Singapore for more than 14 years already. The living experience in both two countries actually helps me a lot in my design. Shanghai has its own particular culture called “海派文化（an exotic boutique and Shanghai-only type)”. Singapore is a multi-cultural country and has its unique culture called “Nonya”. When both two cultures combine, it gives me a wide range of inspirations. Sometimes it makes me feel that technology seems to be the limitation.

I currently work as a UX consultant and front end developer.

I think “Willing and dare to think out of the box” is the spirit of a good designer. But I have to admit that sometimes companies wish designers to “quickly finish the job in traditional ways”. Although the deadline is there, if the company encourages designers to push the limit, it will be great.

Gather client’s requirement. Finding a suitable technology. Brainstorm the idea. Learning existing data. Draft the prototype. Use it internally for some time. Find out what to improve. Refine and build the product.

Balcony, coffee machine, bookshelf, iMac, iPad and Apple Pencil.

I spent most of the day at the office, behind the Mac. In spare time, I read surf internet and think about my freelance projects. Sometimes go out with friends, drink with friends.

Being a designer makes me excited (I’m curious about new things). However, it also has a negative side. Sometimes clients don’t share the same view as yours. Sometimes people don’t appreciate your work. You might feel upset. But how you face and deal with it is important. It can turn “negative” into “positive”. Don’t give up.

First, ask yourself “what can be improved” in your design. Second, be truthful to your client and to yourself.

Able to convince your inner self.

iPad and Apple Pencil. iMac with Photoshop, Sketch, Illustrator. Coding IDE such as webstorm, Android studio, etc. Goes library and museum. Sometimes go to the pub and get a bit of drink to keep my mind rolling.

I usually don’t particularly sit at the desk and “officially” start designing. Inspiration comes by chance. Sitting at a fixed location doesn’t always guarantee a nice idea. Some cool ideas might come during cooking time. Use time wisely. Work smart.

How about 2 - 3 days? Actually, there is no particular answer. There are many aspects involved, such as the client’s requirement, the client’s changing of mind, resource of hardware and software, efforts of research, number of meetings, etc.

Can you design a logo, it doesn’t have to be complicated, just simple one will do, ok?

I guess it should be “try to be patient”. Like I said, the most important skill for a designer is being able to convince your inner self. As a designer, you need to be patient to convince the client. You need to be patient to convince your manager. You need to be patient to convince your inner self.

Some are strangers who came across my portfolio website, asking for design favors. Some are job agents asking whether I still open to new opportunities. Some are friends’ friends asking whether can design a logo, a poster for them. Sometimes I, myself. I do some projects for my own use.

Anything I designed for myself. I have 100% freedom.

I would like to be well-known for my watch face designs.

Almost by myself. Sometimes, I help other teams providing ideas.

By email at alexpanyong@gmail.com. By my website www.artalex.me. By social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @artalexme. People can get my contact number from there. I will be glad to see people contact me. I appreciate it.

Thank you A’Design Award & Competition for giving me the opportunity to let more people know me. Thank you!

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Interview with Pan Yong

Designer of the Day Interview

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

How did you become a designer?

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

What is your day to day look like?

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

How do you decide if your design is ready?

What is your biggest design work?

Who is your favourite designer?

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A' Design Award?

Design Legend Interview

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

What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

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

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

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

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

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

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

What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?

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

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

What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

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

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

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

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

Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

What helped you to become a great designer?

What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

How do you think designers should present their work?

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

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

How does design help create a better society?

What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

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

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

What is your life motto as a designer?

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

What is the role of technology when you design?

What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

What do you wish people to ask about your design?

When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

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

What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

Designer Interview

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?

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

What is "design" for you?

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

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

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

When do you feel the most creative?