Nu Infinity

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Nu Infinity ("NI") 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?

NI : Graduated as an Architect, but turned to Interior Design as I feel it gives better balance between creativity and running a business.

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

NI : Some people are born and some are trained to have an eye for aesthetics. No matter which, once you have it, you would question how things come about, designed the way they are and why.

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

NI : I chose this field, albeit it took a while to get to where I am today. I believe the journey matters. You do not always end up with what you want but it is important to notice every door that opens along the way for you.

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

NI : Interiors and exteriors of buildings. We hope one day we can touch base on public installations.

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

NI : Work hard and be unique.

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

NI : You have to be a visionary to be a great designer. Look beyond.

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

NI : It is designed appropriately for the users and leaves a lasting impact to the people and environment.

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

NI : Good design will most likely give a lasting impact, you almost cannot put a value on that.

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

NI : I would like to design public installations for Malaysians to value public spaces and arts.

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

NI : Public installations.

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

NI : Besides yourself, it is important that the studio's visions are understood by your team and that every single member sees those and go the distance with you.

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

NI : Tadao Ando and modern low bro artists in the Art field.

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

NI : They created past movements, they reached out to all corners of the world.

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

NI : Our projects with briefs meant for an international audience. We had to be familiar with different people, what they are familiar with back home, their culture, their take on what is good design and etc. It opens up our minds to new things and this always sets new bars for our studio to go for.

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

NI : Realize the changing times and the need to be always evolving.

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

NI : Archaeologist

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

NI : Design makes our life better and comforting aesthetically.

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

NI : My business partners and team members.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

NI : Constantly feel inspired and push yourself to be original.

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

NI : We had to be good at the business side of this industry, keep the company afloat and going. This is not something designers are trained for at school, obviously. Unknowingly, we would pick up a lot of other skills when managing a company and as such, those skills will ultimately help and advance us on the design side too.

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

NI : Imagine selling an identity, it is important to build confidence and have a sense of belief that you are doing things that could make things better for the people, country and the world. Whatever it is, believe in every dot of your pen marks and the ideas that you have inputted in.

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

NI : We are looking at touching base on offices spaces and common areas in large commercial buildings.

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

NI : It is to be the best in what we do in Malaysia and represent Malaysian creative interior minds and see them realized all over the world.

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

NI : They would expect a well-rounded design that stand out from the rest and that you are able to interpret it out in a story-telling manner that makes perfect sense to them.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

NI : That things can be improved and become better. That we are appreciative of beautiful things, done humanely for ourselves.

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

NI : We are currently working on some very interesting large common areas for commercial buildings. This is something new to us and we are eager to venture into. Our clients put their trusts in us and give us lots of room for creativity.

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

NI : All our projects, because it is amazing to see how the initial brief sets the plan in motion and the end product encompasses the designer's creative inputs. We approach each project differently because we believe not one client is the same and that makes us take on different stances which result in beautiful variations of our company's design interpretations.

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

NI : Design stems from creativity and creativity comes from one's intellect. Hence, I hope that people see the significance in that and see the value in one's creativity.

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

NI : Slowly recognized in our country as we put emphasis on commerce all the while.

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

NI : 3 months on average.

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

NI : Gather the direct information on the user(s).

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

NI : Passion & Dreams.

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

NI : Design always trigger the trends that follow. But trends evolve based on location, people, the environment, the economy, technology and etc.

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

NI : Simplify matters and problems. Also allows us to achieve the impossible by letting us visualize them.

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

NI : AutoCaD, 3Ds Max and VRay.

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

NI : Brings out the mood, the emotional reactions of those who see or experience them.

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

NI : Who is this design for? I think it is important to know the origin of the project or design.

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

NI : Form and function and the level of pushing the threshold.

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

NI : Yes, design comes out best when working in a team. That would be our current business partners.

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

NI : Trial and error plus taking up new advance courses. It takes time too to evolved as one ages.

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

NI : Definitely Andy Warhol, would like to meet a designer outside the architecture and interior design realm.

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

NI : It is not, but to meet others' expectations is. And whether or not you can be consistent is also vital.

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

NI : Recently mesmerized with the colour teal and travels to London keeps us inspired.

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

NI : A happy client, we are in the service industry after all. One of our main objectives is to make one's client happy by fulfilling and exceeding their expectations.

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

NI : Growing up with Lego, yes, I was very interested with constructions and imaginative forms. It would make some sense now that whatever you engaged with when you were young, would influence you in one way or another.

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

NI : Design will be seamless, based on futuristic material and constructed fluidly bypassing standard conventional construction methods.

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

NI : We wish to show the world that Malaysian designers are dedicated and passionately want to establish their own identity. As such, we are very competitive, imaginative and creative to be recognized on the world stage.