Monique Lee

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Monique Lee ("ML") for their original perspective and innovative approach to design as well as their creative lifestyle, we are very pleased to share our interview with our distinguished readers.

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

ML : I have a passion for art since childhood and have always aspired to design for spatial comfort and simplicity. After getting my Degree in Architecture from MEM U OF Tech Sydney, BAppSC(Arch) Curtin U of Tech, I started my career in an interior design company where I worked closely with land developers and gained trust from them. It was very encouraging to me that they regard my designs as a blend of inspiration and functionality. While consolidating my working experience, I furthered my studies in interior design. Looking for a chance to advocate eco-friendly interior design concepts, I decided to found my own company Mas Studio in 2009 which was a turning point in my design career.

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

ML : Making a good design is everything.

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

ML : I chose to be a designer out of my passion for design.

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

ML : My design brings life and I wish that I could create designs related to all aspects of life.

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

ML : Keep enriching personal knowledge and strive for self-advancement.

DL: What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

ML : Good designer does a good thing, Great designer makes things better.

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

ML : Perception and attention and to details, sensitive to problems and offer solutions. Determined to learn and create designs helpful to life.

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

ML : Designs change and improve life.

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

ML : Create designs to improve more people’s life.

DL: What is the dream project you haven’t yet had time to realize?

ML : Create designs to improve life of the people in underdeveloped countries.

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

ML : Learn from failures.

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

ML : Everyone around me inspires me.

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

ML : Every design has it’s personality. Always admires each design’s unique aspect.

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

ML : I like every piece of my design while it always has room for improvement.

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

ML : I keep learning and enrich my knowledge for self-enhancement.

DL: If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

ML : Diving instructor or traveler

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

ML : Design is infinite space

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

ML : My family

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

ML : Love, passion for life and freedom

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

ML : Face setbacks and learn from failures.

DL: How do you think designers should present their work?

ML : They want everyone to feel their designs.

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

ML : Strive to improve myself and challenge my limits.

DL: What’s your ultimate goal as a designer?

ML : Strive for perfection.

DL: What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

ML : Create more and better designs.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

ML : They improve life and relationships among human beings.

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

ML : I always feel excited with every design I make.

DL: Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

ML : Those projects which posed challenges because they bring improvements to life.

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

ML : More inventive concepts

DL: Where do you think the design field is headed next?

ML : Designs which we have no experience before.

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

ML : It depends on scale of project.

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

ML : Understanding project background, customer’s requirements, deadlines, planning execution schedules, etc.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

ML : Do everything with heart.

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

ML : They interact with each other. Designs set trends while trends also affect designs.

DL: What is the role of technology when you design?

ML : Technology keeps making the impossible become possible.

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

ML : Auto CAD, Photoshop, Illustrator.

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

ML : Colour, materials and ambient work as a team.

DL: What do you wish people to ask about your design?

ML : Yes, I want them to feel my designs.

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

ML : Admire, perceive it’s core concept and value.

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

ML : Someone who inspires me, brings new design impacts.

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

ML : “Human dimension & Interior Space”

DL: How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

ML : Keep asking questions, brainstorming, think of problems and create solutions with team members.

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

ML : Antonio Gaudi, Zaha Hadid, Tadao Ando

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

ML : Prizes and Awards are forces for striving for advancements and breakthroughs.

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

ML : Black, Blue & Purple are my favourite colours. Though it varies depending on emotions. I love Hong Kong, it’s my home. Favourite season is summer when we have lots of sunshine and spend time on beaches.

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

ML : Get lost in daydreaming is the most inspiring

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

ML : I love ‘Beauty’ since my childhood.

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

ML : Evolution and advancement

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

ML : Imagination and creativity are without limits