Design Legend Interview
17 Froen
I love art since I was young. I’ve always been intrigued by art and it translates in the love of my job. Design and art are inseparable and to me, learning process has never stopped even long after I left my college.
Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
I love art since I was young. I’ve always been intrigued by art and it translates in the love of my job. Design and art are inseparable and to me, learning process has never stopped even long after I left my college. I earned my Diploma in Graphic and Computing from Center Academy of Art (CAA), Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. To learn something new these days, we don’t need to be formal about it because there is an abundance of information out there and I always upgrade myself by self-learning.
What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
I’ve always have the passion in drawing and from there I knew that design is my world.
Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
This is definitely my choosing and I never regret it a day in my life.
What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
I do generally web designs and with the new techniques and technologies going at us at a rapid rate, I want to learn and to input more great effects in my work.
What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
They should always have the passion in what they are doing. Without passion, there would be something missing, no matter how pretty the design is.
What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
A good designer is someone who can design a nice artwork, but a great designer is a person who look at designs not only from its aesthetic value but also from its practical angle and how the design can influence the lifestyle and the way we contribute to the world.
What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
To me when you are able to deliver a massage with minimal explanation and appealing to the eyes at the same time, then it is a good design.
What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?
Self-motivated and self-learning.
How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
Again self-motivated and self-learning, a great planning and research before I start any of my project.
If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?
That never occurred to me because I believe this is what I meant to be.
How do you define design, what is design for you?
Apart from providing audience with information, design evokes emotional response, giving you an idea and attachment about a product/service even before you even see/experience the product/service.
Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?
The CEO and COO of the company have always provided me with a lot idea and feedbacks during the process.
How does design help create a better society?
Design provides artistry and aesthetic values to the world. A great design concerns about all aspects of society and incorporate that to improve the quality of life. I give an example, a great architect must think about the convenience of all users of a building including the less able and the handicapped, they have to use sustainable building materials and provide great design to beautify a city. A clever design makes people stop, think and give back to the society.
What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
I want designers to be better recognized and respected. Some people think design is easy without taking the mountainous effort to deliver a good design into consideration. It’s not only about marrying words and images together, we need to think above and beyond that to deliver information and convenience to our audience.
What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
Adobe Design
How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
Self-learning is the key for me.
What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
A good cup of coffee in the morning.