Chien Hwa Huang

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Chien Hwa Huang ("CHH") 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?

CHH : My design background is related to my growth, but it has nothing to do with my study. My father was once the owner of a construction company. So I was surrounded by many architects from childhood, and I am very interested in creating things. It makes me happy.

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

CHH : The design is to make things better and easier for people to use. I want to be a designer who brings esthetic feeling and convenience to everyone.

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

CHH : I became a designer with my own wishes because I was passionate about design.

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

CHH : I renovate a historic building and gave a new way of using the interior space. Next, I want to try more types of space and architectural design.

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

CHH : I don't think I'm already a design legend , I've been learning newer and better design methods.

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

CHH : I think that a good designer can make a reasonable mix of spatial materials, so that users can be more convenient. The space or architecture designed by a great designer can touch people's hearts.

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

CHH : Is it really touch people's heart?

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

CHH : In addition to attracting customers, a good design can create brand value, which is something that money cannot buy. Therefore, I believe that such investment is priceless and may be permanent, so everyone should Go hard in this way.

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

CHH : We wish that one day we can design a city, whether it be street appearances, transportation facilities, commercial, hotels, office buildings or residential buildings, including building facades, interior design, furniture design, and furniture layout, all through our design philosophy.Fortunately, we are currently working on a design project for a small hotel that will be completed within two years.

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

CHH : There are many large public and large commercial space, is not yet accessible to us, but we already have such capabilities.

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

CHH : In the design, we are most concerned about the user needs, each space will have users, we are all people-oriented.

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

CHH : Tadao Ando, Zaha Hadid, Antoni Gaudí

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

CHH : What every designer likes is not necessarily the same. In Tadao Ando's case, the space he designed is very pure and quiet. Entering into the space he designed will inevitably reduce the amount of sound. Zaha Hadid’s architecture. It is so full of tension that almost no straight lines can be seen from his buildings. It is so lively and lively that the interior maintains a consistent approach. And Antoni Gaudi is a master of architecture that many architects yearn for. He is simply an A great artist presents architecture as an artwork.

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

CHH : My current biggest design is an art museum and its surrounding facilities. Although it has not been achieved, in this program, we thoroughly apply what we know and learn, whether in the design of the landscape or the surrounding environment. Or, the series connection between multiple venues, the architectural design of the home view, the design of the interior space, the planning of the moving line, I think we have all made the best interpretation.

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

CHH : For me, besides taking a look at the merits of others' interior design works, I went to see the great buildings in person all over the world and contacted many things about art, such as visiting museums,listen concerts, and to know fashion industry. Sometimes to participate in fashion parties, so that you can understand more in many ways, and trigger design inspiration.

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

CHH : When I was in elementary school, I liked painting and ceramic art. When I was in senior high school, I studied art. But I was studying management course in university. After I started working, I worked as a salesperson. After a few years, I was always passionate about design. Started self-study, through many observations and learning, gradually moving toward design.

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

CHH : Design is a way to make things better, make the space more beautiful, use more convenient, and bring people a better experience. For me, design is life!

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

CHH : I am very grateful to my family for supporting me, especially my brother. We founded the company together. We have developed from two people's studios to a complete design team that combines architects, interior design, and construction. His wife, that is, the team architect, also provided great help in our work.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CHH : I think I'm not a great designer now, because I think there are still many things that must to learn. I also have many things that I can't and don’t understand, but I’ll work harder and move in this direction. .

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

CHH : I think that life is always a constant challenge. Every project is a new challenge. If you want to be a master of design, I think he should have an influence on everyone in a better direction.

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

CHH : I think it can be shown through some media reports. If there is no media coverage, you can also let people know and understand your work by participating in the awards.

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

CHH : There are many categories of my next design project. The public venues, the commercial facilities , the hotel, the restaurants, the houses, the buildings, etc., each are different challenges.

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

CHH : This is a big question. But I think it can't be defined by a single project. It's a general direction. It's an environment that gives people a sense of beauty. It's more convenient to use. It's better to be touched.

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

CHH : Bring customers good space and design that belong to them, find out the design that suits them, and let them have a better experience than nitpicking.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CHH : Through design, the city can be made better, urban planning and design, building design, interior space design, product design, etc., so that people can feel the beauty and convenience at any time in their lives. From a general perspective, urban planning is good. All the landscape will be improved, the architecture will be well planned, the living and the user will be more convenient, the interior design will be good, and people will feel better. So the design can change the world.

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

CHH : I am currently doing various types of projects, including historic building renovation, hotel design, new building design, home interior design, public venue design, etc. I have always enjoyed my work because if there is no passion, it is impossible to do Design well.

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

CHH : Every project is designed with care and cannot compare satisfaction.

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

CHH : For us, we have been doing different experiments and innovations, bravely facing new challenges, and getting experience from each completed case. The design does not need to be conservative, and some people who always insists that the design must have thread of thought. Man~I think it is the killer of creativity.

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

CHH : I hope to see more diversified design patterns. At present, in some competitions, we can see that the award-winning projects look very similar, the style or the use of materials. If you don't use that method, you won't win. I think it's very sick. Design shouldn't be limited to such a small framework. Diversified development can stimulate creativity.

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

CHH : Not necessarily, short days, long months or more.

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

CHH : Usually we will understand and listen to the needs of our customers first, and then use our expertise to analyze whether they are applicable. If not, we will find more feasible solutions for them and make appropriate recommendations. After all, the users are the masters of space.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CHH : Not so difficult! We can do it!

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

CHH : This problem has no correct answer for me. The trend is that when a group of people all share the same ideas and go in that direction, he becomes a trend. As mentioned before, the projects we are doing are very diverse. Never set a trend to pursue trends.

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

CHH : Technology is relatively important in design. When you express your design, if your technology cannot respond and fully express your ideas, the results presented will not be as you think.

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

CHH : We usually use SketchUp in the design. He can quickly express the sense of space, let us quickly understand the appropriateness, in addition, in the part of the architectural design is the use of BIM-related software.

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

CHH : Color is vision. He can affect people's feelings . The material is touch. People's reactions to various materials are completely different. For example, when they come into contact with wood, they have a warm feeling and come into contact with the stone. There will be a feeling of cold and hard, the environment is smell and hearing, can hear the sound and smell in the environment, it will make people feel relaxed, the above three are very important in space.

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

CHH : Concepts and values, thinking for the user's design.

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

CHH : I will appreciate it very much and will think about how to be good as him or her.

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

CHH : In our group, we always had new design teams to join and work together. We can generate fire and churn out better ideas. In the future, we also hope that more types of people will join us.

DL: Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

CHH : People from different fields let me have different views on design. Of course, the concept of learning more designers is also a good direction.

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

CHH : Doing as all as a book is not as good as no book. I have read many types of books, but it is not necessarily a design-related one. Sometimes, through practical experience, such as visiting an art exhibition, or listening to a concert, or even traveling, you can inspire you. That can creativity and ideas.

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

CHH : Through learning and communication with people, you can improve your ability and experience, and gradually realize the project. Accumulation for a long time becomes the present.

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

CHH : Antoni Gaudí.

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

CHH : This case has won many awards for us. There are also many media reports. The customers are very satisfied. But what we care about is not that. What we care is the place that we designed can touch people or not? Of course, we will work harder.

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

CHH : Yellow, Milan, Steak, Spring, Sports Car, Giorgio Armani

DL: Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

CHH : Once I went to Japan for a tour and went to a hotel where hot springs. I immediately received a guest when I returned home. What he wanted was a hot springs Bathtub. Then I proposed to him and quickly reached a consensus. And to complete the case, this is really a coincidence, I think it is quite interesting.

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

CHH : Every day is a new beginning. I always tell myself and the team that nothing can't be done.

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

CHH : In fact, when I was a kid, I couldn't know that I would become a designer in the future, because life is full of possibilities.

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

CHH : In the future, I only want to learn design better and make the work more perfectly. During the next thousand years, I cannot imagine it because the progress of science and technology is very fast, but it will always make life better and more convenient.

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

CHH : I hope they can really feel my thoughts and enthusiasm for design, as well as design for human need.