Caxton Chung

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Caxton Chung ("CC") 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?

CC : I graduated from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University with a Bachelor of Arts in Design, Visual Communication. For years, I have been working as a graphic designer in financial industry. Before that, I have worked in a graphic house and a chained retail store as a graphic designer as well.

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

CC : I don't like routines, I like being creative and I am always excited by seeing or doing something new. I think that is my motivation of being designer.

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

CC : I chose to become a designer. I don't think anyone can be forced to be a designer. If someone is not enjoying the process of design, one won't be creative enough to do design.

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

CC : I am an in-house graphic designer, I do a lot collateral designs, event identity designs, layout designs and infographics design. I wish to do more logo and identity designs.

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

CC : First, I don't think I am a design legend, and I think I am still young too. Haha. I think I hardworking is the key to achieve your goal.

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

CC : I think good design is able to improve the quality of life and lifestyle of human, it is definitely worth to invest in good design.

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

CC : If I had the time, I would like to design a Traditional Chinese typeface for Hong Kong people. Because I think there are not enough choices of Chinese typeface for designers to use.

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

CC : I would like to design an event identity for a Silent Film Festival.

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

CC : For sure it is the Techo calender that won the A’ Design Award this year. I think it is the structure of this calendar makes this design outstanding.

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

CC : Being objective and have a clear mind to judge and improve my own ideas/designs.

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

CC : There would be a million possibilities.

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

CC : In a way the designer feel the most comfortable, but at the same time, it has to be clear and informative enough for the audience to understand the design.

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

CC : I would like to have my own design studio, a studio not just doing graphic design but all kinds of design. And hopefully it is an international one with projects in different places in the world.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CC : Design is a process of problem solving. Good design means good solutions, for sure it will be a better society if there are more good designs.

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

CC : I just started working on a logo design project for an education foundation. I think it is very meaningful.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CC : “Details make a difference”

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

CC : I think it is a “Chicken or Egg?” situation. I believe the trends and the designs are mutually influencing each other at the same time.

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

CC : I mainly use Adobe software to do designs, I think it plays an very important role.

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

CC : Mainly Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe InDesign.

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

CC : Although I am not an architect and I didn't study architecture. I would like to meet Frank Lloyd Wright. I love his works.