I was graduated and trained as an Interior Designer before came over London for my post-graduate study in Branding Strategy in Brunel.
01Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?
I was graduated and trained as an Interior Designer before came over London for my post-graduate study in Branding Strategy in Brunel. I’ve started my design career with one of the most renowned architectural practice in Malaysia- Sacha and Tan Architects. I was exposed to the world of design in a really detailed and different point of view by working with the principals and they had provided a really great platform to build me up from a junior designer to a department leader, and exposed to the top clients like Padini and Hong Leong Group Simultaneously I work for my family, which is running a hotels and hospitality supplies business in town and this side of works let me explore the business and entrepreneur side of myself.
02What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?
I love to draw since I was a kid and that has been an ongoing, and at times, all-encompassing passion. When I began to draw spaces and object from a three dimensional perspective, I naturally I started to read about, and get interested in interior design.
03Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?
I think I've chosen to be one.
04What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?
At the beginning of college, I wasn’t sure whether go for interior design or graphic design. Eventually, I found my passion and this was because I felt that decorating and styling a space is an extremely satisfying in addition to drawing, so this lead me to choose interior design.
05What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?
Passion for design is important.
06What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?
I think it involved with alot of complex ingredients, but the most important is the love and passion for design.
07What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?
Good designer is all about maximizing your creativity and thinking. I can say it’s more conceptual; but being a really good designer is more about maximizing profit and staying highly creative while also earning a living.
08What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?
Good design is timeless, it won't be out of date and it's always look good and lasts forever.
09What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?
I would love to design a collection of furniture for my favourite fashion house Louis Vuitton.
10What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?
My own home perhaps!
11Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?
I always loves James Dyson's work. He is not only a designer but a successful businessman and engineer.
12What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?
The new Dyson Hairdryer! can you imagine you drying your hair with a vacuum cleaner?
13What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?
I am proud with my project with Absolut Elyx portable bar (www.andrewchongdesign.com), we spent so much time to think about how to engineer a container into a bar, and also the thematic decoration and styling.
14How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?
Travel. I've learnt so much just walking around everywhere!
15If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?
I can't imagine if I am not a designer right now. Because the first 3 of my ambitions was architect, designer and artist. Everything still work around design.
16How do you define design, what is design for you?
Design is aesthetic + function
17What helped you to become a great designer?
I do think it's my passion for design.
18What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?
Language barrier. I was born and raised in Asia and at some point I have difficulties to present and describe my design to international audiences.
19How do you think designers should present their work?
as creative as possible and always think out of the box.
20What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?
Currently I am working on a private branding project for a renewable energy company. Very exciting project and I've been involved in every design aspects of the company. For me this is the future of design, a multidisciplinary and all rounded design solution under one roof.
21What's your ultimate goal as a designer?
Able to solve problem and improves life.
22What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?
A happy working relationship.
23How does design help create a better society?
Initiative to do good. Nothing too small or too big to contribute.
24What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?
My new company website - www.andrewchongdesign.com
25Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?
Commercial projects have a clear brief, sharp vision and usually we get straight to the point and the design gets completed quickly. But for residential projects, it’s all about personalising and getting the right mood and feel. Doing this takes time and it is best to let ideas evolve so the client is happy with the choices presented and even happier with their final choice. A unique home design is far more difficult because every detail is different and needs to be considered.
26What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?
The industry works so different nowadays. More and more young creatives have a mind of entrepreneurship and always want to run our own design practices. The European country is a great platform for new designers to explore themselves and we have an equal chance to shines, although in a really competitive ways; unlike the Asian side of the creative world, which slightly more depending on the networking, for me it’s seems a little old school way of thinking.
27Where do you think the design field is headed next?
People in the Far East will prefer more experience, more mature designers, or someone introduced through connections to work for them; while here we all share a chance. If the design is good, the designer will have a great chance to showcase, to design and to build it
28How long does it take you to finalize a design project?
1week to 3months.
29When you have a new design project, where do you start?
It depend on projects, but I will always start with mood boards and sketches, and then visualise them in 3D software. Love to play around in 3Ds Max, it creates amazing conceptual presentation.
30Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?
As a designer, we not only need to know how to draw and style; but also need to make sure we keep up with advances in industry specific software. . I am constant updating my knowledge of 2D tools and 3d rendering programmes and using iPad apps for sketching, etc. But my next move is going to be less technical and I will concentrate more on business development and marketing my own brand.
31What is the role of technology when you design?
Super important. I can't survive without my computer.
32What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?
Adobe, Autodesk CAD softwares.
33What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?
I am meticulous over texture and surfaces. I believe Interior design is all about details and the surfaces people touch, see and feel means everything!
34What do you wish people to ask about your design?
Cool and innovative!
35When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?
let me see if it's work.
36Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?
I love throwing ideas and sketching with other designer because I think challenges will made us better.
37Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?
Client. Because they always result driven but as a designer we are the one seeking a balance between budget, design and outcome.
38Which books you read had the most effect on your design?
Brutal London : Construct Your Own Concrete Capital. It's an amazing book and I love to get inspiration from architecture.
39How did you develop your skills as a master designer?
Always learning. We need to catch up with new technology and methods, just to make sure we are in-lined with all new and upcoming technology.
40Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?
Time. WE ALWAYS RUN OUT OF TIME!
41How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?
Awards does help to level us up, but most importantly is the passion for design.
42What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?
YELLOW, LONDON, DIM SUM, WINTER, CHANEL J12, LOUIS VUITTON
43Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?
I always wanted to re-design my childhood room, in fact, I’ve started to make my current office shelving unit into my childhood dream cabinet. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the Japanese animated series Pokémon. When I was working in London, my client’s (The Absolut Company Great Britain) office was just located next to The Pokémon Company, so I always find a reason to sneak in and wonder around. My childhood room would be redesigned to have multiple ‘curiosity type’ cabinets filled with Pokémon figures, stickers, posters and even have a slide and a small pool. Of course there would be unlimited supplies of Jelly Belly jelly beans!
44What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?
A coffee with some pretty dessert!
45When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?
I love to draw since I was a kid and that has been an ongoing, and at times, all-encompassing passion. When I began to draw spaces and object from a three dimensional perspective, I naturally I started to read about, and get interested in interior design.
46What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?
We will be moving to other planet and of course communicating with aliens!
47Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?
I love role playing games and I have an extensive collection of digital game consoles including the Nintendo Wii, 3Ds and PlayStation. My iPad and iPhone are loaded with tons of games. Yes it's a bit ‘geeky’, but sometimes they do inspired my design thinking because many game makers are great designers. I also love taking pictures with my new Sony Alpha 5000 camera, especially of my miniature pinscher Taisho.
د ډیزاینر مرکه
40 پوښتنې
I am an is an Australian-based multi-disciplinary designer working across experience design, environmental design, graphic design, branding strategy, digital and multi-media design and product development.
01Could 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 am an is an Australian-based multi-disciplinary designer working across experience design, environmental design, graphic design, branding strategy, digital and multi-media design and product development. With a decade of experience in corporate identity and designing luxury brands, Andrew creates agile and iconic brand personalities, identities and designs that thrive across diverse global marketplaces. Designing innovative 3-Dimensional and 2-Dimesional design solutions, he creates brand strategies, architecture, packaging identity systems and digital experiences for emerging, national and global enterprises.
02Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Andrew Chong Design is not only providing interior design service but I am also a brand strategist and graphic designer. This means I am not an ordinary designer, but also one who specializes in branding and graphic design. This added training and specialization give me different insight into the interior design process and make me more marketable to different clients across industries.
03What is "design" for you?
Design is a method, solution and a complex recipe to solve problem aesthetically.
04What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Mostly my projects are Interior Architecture and design, but simultaneously I did cross all design platforms and trying to be an all rounded designer.
05What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I would say an Arne Jacobsen’s Egg chair or a Lounge chair by Charles Eames is timeless. . Both improve the look of any room immediately, especially if they are tan leather.
06What was the first thing you designed for a company?
An exhibition design for Panasonic.
07What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I love browsing through Behance, Dribbble and Instagram because they are so many great and inspiring designs out there.
08When do you feel the most creative?
Afternoon after 12PM, not sure why.
09Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
Functions and usability. Beauty came after.
10What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
I always feel excited and passion, and of course very anticipating for the outcome.
11What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Of course... tired after sleepness night! But always worthy and fullfilling.
12What makes a design successful?
Love. As a designer we need to love what we create.
13When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Well, frankly saying the outlook made it's first impression. People loves looking at beautiful thing. But I will also think about the usability and it's function.
14From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
We need to give some loves back to the society, that is why I often involved in Pro-bono work and helping organisations with my specialties.
15How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
I do think 3-D printing will be the next 'BIG' thing and everything will be evolving around it.
16When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
It was couple of years ago in Italy, not sure when will be the next one.
17Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I always skectch and theres where I got my ideas from.
18How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
Responsive!
19Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
Currently I lived in North Queensland in Australia. It's a small beach town and the design scene is not so establish. Lot
s of opportunities tho.
20How do you work with companies?
Mouth to mouth, always introduced by connection. And I run my business mostly online.
21What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Don't only look at their skillset, their attitude is the most important aspects.
22Can you talk a little about your design process?
It depend on projects, but I will always start with mood boards and sketches, and then visualise them in 3D software. Love to play around in 3Ds Max, it creates amazing conceptual presentation.
23What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
My Louis Vuitton Steamer Bag, Ipad, my vintage Versace glasses, Arne Jacobsen chair and my japanese animation figures.
24Can you describe a day in your life?
I spent my day mostly in front of my computer, most of the meetings are carried out on Skype. But I am lucky to have my dog with me and makes me go out more often.
25Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
The industry works so different nowadays. More and more young creatives have a mind of entrepreneurship and always want to run our own design practices. The European country is a great platform for new designers to explore themselves and we have an equal chance to shines, although in a really competitive ways; unlike the Asian side of the creative world, which slightly more depending on the networking, for me it’s seems a little old school way of thinking. People in the Far East will prefer more experience, more mature designers, or someone introduced through connections to work for them; while here we all share a chance. If the design is good, the designer will have a great chance to showcase, to design and to build it.
26From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
We got to do what we love! But when time comes by, we will do more client management and liaising instead of designing. We just need to balance it up a little.
27What is your "golden rule" in design?
I am really enjoying the process of designing and being creative, and the creative thinking can be apply every moment. I particularly love the challenges every time I’ve seen the brief from the client. As a designer we are not only been paid to make things pretty; but to make thing works and benefits people’s life. We always struggle to balance up the functionality & the aesthetics. That’s our job to make things works and look pretty. Design will change the world and make lifes easier; and I am glad I am part of the people who are in the top roll to implement this.
28What skills are most important for a designer?
Communication skills. We need to communicate our ideas, and lead our clients on communicating their ideas.
29Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
As a designer, we not only need to know how to draw and style; but also need to make sure we keep up with advances in industry specific software. . I am constant updating my knowledge of 2D tools and 3d rendering programmes and using iPad apps for sketching, etc. But my next move is going to be less technical and I will concentrate more on business development and marketing my own brand.
30Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
This is the only thing I am still learning!
31How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
The momentum of Interior Design is quick. Commercial projects have a clear brief, sharp vision and usually we get straight to the point and the design gets completed quickly. But for residential projects, it’s all about personalising and getting the right mood and feel. Doing this takes time and it is best to let ideas evolve so the client is happy with the choices presented and even happier with their final choice. A unique home design is far more difficult because every detail is different and needs to be considered.
32What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
I hate being asked 'Whay is your style'...
33What was your most important job experience?
I’ve worked with Shaun Clarkson for the Absolut Projects. All of the project are about designing a brand focused environment for all Absolut Vodka and Absolut Elyx globally. I was leading a team alongside Shaun Clarkson on proposing suitable décor and styling elements to put into their global catalogue. The team’s goal was to ensure Absolute has a specific and ‘cool’ collection to use in their event, party and branding activities. Shaun Clarkson also has a long term relationship with the Pernod Ricard Group and I’ve worked on Chivas, Pernod Absinthe, Perrier Jouet Champagne and Oddka branding projects as well. I recently lead on the design of Pernod Absinthe and Perrier Jouet Champagne theme room for The Box London, an exclusive cabaret nightclub.
For the Selfridges project, I worked under the Pitfield London label, to design a home décor product and furniture collection for their Home and Accessories Department for Christmas 2013. Pitfield London used to have several products selling in Selfridges’s Home and Accessories Department so they’ve invited Pitfield to have an exclusive collection for them during the best sale season- Christmas. This collection is all about bespoke and one-off pieces. It was a fun and exciting project with four themes: Creature Comfort; Embellished; Precious Metal and Electric Eclectic. I was also lucky to work alongside my friend who used to work with Alexander McQueen, Eley Kishimoto and Richard James London produce the furniture collection with handmade and limited pieces.
34Who are some of your clients?
Absolut Vodka; Absolut Elyx; Chivas; Perrier Jouët; Pernod Absinthe; Selfridges; Harvey Nichols; Pitfield; Prime Burger; Clink 78; Rotisserie Excel London; The Box London; Bloomsbury; Omega; Converse; Temperley London; Cîroc; Ketel One Vodka, Smirnoff; Johnny Walker Gold Label; Don Julio Tequila; Remy Martin; Gordon’s Gin; Ron Zacapa; Schweppes; & Zeo
35What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
Commercial projects, because the pace is really quick.
36What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Will establish my own design studio here in Australia and hope to gain more exposure nationally and internationally.
37Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
I often develop designs myself, but I do work with other designers when needed.
38Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
I am currently planning to set up my own design practice in Australia and I am currently completing a global brand activation project for Absolut Vodka.
39How can people contact you?
www.andrewchongdesign.com, or email andrew@andrewchongdesign.com
40Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
One thing I really want to tell the new designers that being the creative industry has never been easy; there are always new people with new skills and better price to beat us down. But what make us special is our personality and the style that distinguished each of us. Out there there is always competition, but the competition makes us a better person.
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نورې د ډیزاینرانو مرکې
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