Ginger Kong

About Ginger Kong

Ginger Kong is the creative mind behind the design studio, Miemode. As an advocate for STEM curriculum, she started a pilot program to bring virtual reality technology to the classrooms and libraries. Ginger received accolade for her work with youth and her community. She believes in designing for social impact and embraces unconventional solutions to everyday problems. With her latest design, Miemode The Angry Mailer Flyer, Ginger created an interactive virtual reality viewing experience by converting a simple flyer into a virtual reality viewer.

Winner of the A' Design Award.
Specialized in Design.
Original Design.
Creative, Diligent and Innovative.

Interview with Ginger Kong

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?

I grew up in a creative setting. At a very young age, I was inspired to build things in unconventional ways. I remember taking sofa pillows to make a playhouse and folding cardboard boxes into furniture pieces. With this thinking, I begin to look at the world differently and question the impossibilities.

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

My company, Miemode, LLC, is design studio specialized in app design and product development.

What is "design" for you?

Design is taking something ordinary and making it extraordinary. It also solves a problem.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I am interested in designing solution to everyday problems; social inventions. I think the best design are the minimalist solutions that makes life easier. That can be redesigned toothbrush for a disabled person or an inflatable home for a transient.

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

Whenever I'm in my design mode, I am excited and focused at the same time. I'm fascinated with the design process; researching and coming up with a practical product. I don't know where that process takes me or what product I'll come up with.

What makes a design successful?

Seeing how the end users react to the design is important. Their feedback tells whether the design is successful.

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

I don't think there's such thing as good or bad design. Any design could be improved. It's a process of how far the designer delved into resolving the issue.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Design with empathy. When you understand your user, you'll be able to see your design come to life.

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

Depending on the project, I may express the design through 3D models, physical models, and sketches.

Extended Interview with Ginger Kong

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

With formal training in architecture, I dabble in all forms of art and design. I don't think there's a barrier in design. Design comes in many forms: 3D models, architecture, graphic design, product design, or a combination.

How did you become a designer?

I love to create and coming up with new design solutions. Through the design process, I learn more about myself, my likes/dislikes, and what inspires me.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

Becoming a designer was organic for me. I grew up in a creative setting and was always encouraged to think outside the box. My inquisitive mind led to a passion in design.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

My focus is design solutions to everyday social problems. That can be a redesigned toothbrush to make brushing easier for disabled person or an inflatable shelter for a transient.

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

Design with empathy and passion. Understand who you're designing for and the process will take you to your design.

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

It's how far you've researched a solution to the design problem. A great designer may mean she delved more into the design process a little bit more and had a better understanding of the issue.

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

Feedback from the user will determine whether your intended design works. Seeing how your user interacts with the design speaks volume. When we're designing, we're not designing for ourselves. We're designing for a client or someone else.

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

I say it's always the next project. That's what keeps me sketching and designing.

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

You have to be passionate in what you do whether that's design or anything else. You have to enjoy the journey and trust your instincts.

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

I have to thank my first clients... my family. They trusted the design expertise of an 6-year old to build a house made of sofa pillows.