Calvin Sio Kai Tong

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Calvin Sio Kai Tong ("CSKT") 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?

CSKT : I started Hylé Design in 2014, I’m always inspired by my hometown, Macau, which is a city with rich culture background. There are different unique aesthetics and details that lied in the place that I hope to share with the world, along with the intention to excite and benefit the society, eventually more people will know the place and its creativity.

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

CSKT : I like to draw since I was young, especially Chinese paintings. When I grew up I still hope to focus on the creative field, therefore I decide to choose product design as my major in university. During my study I was introduced to a concept of universal design and that deeply touched my heart, that sparked my aim to follow the path by consistently creating friendly design.

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

CSKT : Observe and keep thinking.

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

CSKT : A good designer is able to create new ideas and products that makes life diversity, easier and more comfortable, but a great designer can lead designers to become good designers.

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

CSKT : I consider few points: 1) whether this design can achieve its goal to the target customers ; 2) the potential to develop further ; 3) How long do I want to keep it.

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

CSKT : Movies, great meals, plants.

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

CSKT : I consider a design is good as long as it has a great concept behind, yet my favorite ones are always universal and sustainable works, they showcase and respect nature at the same time.

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

CSKT : I care about the original ideas, whether they are interesting, innovative and environmental friendly, especially what kinds of benefits can be brought to the target users.

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

CSKT : A process to improve and create a better life. Sometimes it appears as a challenge to be overcome, a forum to raise discussion or a game to inspire interesting ideas, its a companion that you’d hope to stay with it always.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CSKT : Design helps to discover social problems, have them revealed and fixed as much as designers can, eventually creating better experience.

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

CSKT : Good design is like nutrient for creative professions as well as the society, the field is greatly potential and will be ongoing to expand, I believe undoubtedly we will grow with technology and virtual world, but still people can’t live without real experiences. Diversity and innovation will always make design field surprising and attractive.