Ben Cheong

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ben Cheong ("BC") 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?

BC : I graduated from the Department of Multimedia Design at Macao Polytechnic Institute. In addition, I had the honour to represent Macau and win numerous regional and national awards in multimedia design.

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

BC : I believe designer can change the world. If Steve Jobs didn’t create iPhone, we were still using traditional cell phone.

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

BC : I choose to become a designer.

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

BC : I always focus on Motion Graphic and 3D Animation Design.

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

BC : In fact, I don’t see myself a design legend as I am still learning in the world of design. I think young designers should work harder than others to achieve more since there are lots of people doing better than you.

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

BC : A good designer can influence people, a great designer can change the world.

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

BC : A good design can improve the way of life, facilitate our living and make the world a better place to live.

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

BC : I always think about the social problems and record the stories. I hope I can use them create some thought-provoking animations in future.

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

BC : An animation project on national level.

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

BC : Study hard and make progress every day.

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

BC : SOMEI, as his works had influenced the whole advertisement of mobile phone. Nowadays most of the advertisements have its shadow. And it is because of him I have strong interest in Motion Graphic.

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

BC : Darkness to go 2017, The concept, color and animation make me feel great。

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

BC : To improve the Aesthetic and technique.

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

BC : Design is a kind of customer service. By listening and understanding our clients' needs, we provide complete and customized solutions. As a result, our design creates the greatest value to our clients' business.

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

BC : iCentre Macau / Macau Design Centre / Mirage Visual / Novae Production House / Jan Design /, my teacher and my friends who taught me the sense and technique.

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

BC : Designers should join more international design competitions, such as A Design Award.

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

BC : We are going to create an animation related to science and technology.

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

BC : To create an influential animation.

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

BC : I hope it can be widely accepted by the public.

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

BC : A month to a year.

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

BC : I will start from research.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

BC : Limited opportunities acquired at the cost of Unlimited efforts and you have to seize them so as to create unlimited value.

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

BC : The technology can assist us to reality our concept in a better way.

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

BC : White by Kenya Hara.

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

BC : I force myself to check Behance and Vimeo everyday so that I can absorb new knowledge in the industry.

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

BC : It is hard to be famous. As A Design Awards is an international competition, it is not easy to be outstanding among numbers of excellent designers over the world.

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

BC : Blue, Japan, Beef, Autumn, Figure and Hottoys。

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

BC : No, I don’t think I have any advantage when I was young. I didn’t have any

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

BC : In future, design will be put in the first place of development everywhere in the world as it is a spirit and attitude, or even cultural connotation.