Ginger Kong

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ginger Kong ("GK") 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?

GK : With formal training in architecture, I dabble in all forms of art and design. I don't think there's a barrier in design. Design comes in many forms: 3D models, architecture, graphic design, product design, or a combination.

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

GK : I love to create and coming up with new design solutions. Through the design process, I learn more about myself, my likes/dislikes, and what inspires me.

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

GK : Becoming a designer was organic for me. I grew up in a creative setting and was always encouraged to think outside the box. My inquisitive mind led to a passion in design.

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

GK : My focus is design solutions to everyday social problems. That can be a redesigned toothbrush to make brushing easier for disabled person or an inflatable shelter for a transient.

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

GK : Design with empathy and passion. Understand who you're designing for and the process will take you to your design.

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

GK : It's how far you've researched a solution to the design problem. A great designer may mean she delved more into the design process a little bit more and had a better understanding of the issue.

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

GK : Feedback from the user will determine whether your intended design works. Seeing how your user interacts with the design speaks volume. When we're designing, we're not designing for ourselves. We're designing for a client or someone else.

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

GK : I say it's always the next project. That's what keeps me sketching and designing.

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

GK : You have to be passionate in what you do whether that's design or anything else. You have to enjoy the journey and trust your instincts.

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

GK : Design provokes emotions and awakens inquisitive minds.

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

GK : I have to thank my first clients... my family. They trusted the design expertise of an 6-year old to build a house made of sofa pillows.

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

GK : I hope to continue my work addressing social design issues.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

GK : Design with empathy. That's also my advice to any up-and-coming designers.

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

GK : Technology goes hand-in-hand with design. Take my recently awarded design, Angry Mailer flyer, as an example. I took an ordinary piece of paper and designed it into an interactive virtual reality viewer that requires the use of a phone. With this simple transformation as a vr viewer, the user can learn more about the flyer ad by watching a 360 video or explore the world from their couch. With technology, we're able to take design to heightened experience.

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

GK : Depending on the design problem, I may express my thought process with 3D models, physical models, and sketches.

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

GK : I think it's going to be like The Jetsons; flying cars, robots, instagrammable food in secs, and vacations on Mars. A girl can dream.