KAI JEN HSIAO

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer KAI JEN HSIAO ("KJH") 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?

KJH : 2007 NOiR Design Founder 2013 TID Award of Residential Space / Multi Level 2014 TdA Award of Residential Space / Multi Level 2015 Taiwan Interior New Talent Award 2016 iF Design Award 2018 International Design Awards

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

KJH : The pursuit of elegant space

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

KJH : Own choice

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

KJH : Interior design / architectural design / exhibition design Want to increase the design of providing public space for the public

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

KJH : Never be afraid of setbacks, never lose enthusiasm.

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

KJH : Differences in mentality.

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

KJH : Design that lasts forever is good design. Designs that don’t bore you quickly.

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

KJH : The value is to improve the quality of life, and with time to have their own way of interpretation. Investing in good design can enrich the spirit.

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

KJH : Want to design a space that is elegant and environmentally friendly for the public.

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

KJH : Design a villa of your own.

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

KJH : Don't be afraid of failure! If you fail, try to succeed. Even if the final result is not ideal, we must learn a lot in the process.

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

KJH : ZAHA HADID Rem Koolhaas

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

KJH : A single logical concept runs through the whole space

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

KJH : Space layout and moving line design, with a reasonable way to present the hierarchical picture.

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

KJH : Read more and travel more, listen to your inner voice, and the inspiration will slowly come out.

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

KJH : House salesman

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

KJH : Communication and problem solving methods

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

KJH : Definitely a work team.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KJH : Time and the spirit of not giving up.

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

KJH : If the design concept of their own perfect transmission to the owner.

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

KJH : Don’t be too commercial to present your work

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

KJH : We are carrying out a large enterprise headquarters which is located in the high building and covered by the sky garden, hoping to present more characteristic space ideas

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

KJH : Create their own characteristics of the housing products.

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

KJH : Able to find the balance between design and reality.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KJH : Let the public observe beautiful things, and aesthetics will enter their hearts.

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

KJH : A scenic single-story residence will be designed. The ability to combine landscape with interior design.

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

KJH : Architectural design, architectural design always let me play arbitrarily.

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

KJH : No longer over - packing products that really meet the needs of users Hope to have more interesting and flexible building materials

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

KJH : How to let users change the design method of virtual reality at will.

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

KJH : It depends on the situation of each case.

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

KJH : Analyze the merits and demerits of the case and extract the expected effect

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KJH : Never be discouraged.

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

KJH : Design determines trend!

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

KJH : The role of technology is to present the picture perfectly. Without technology, no amount of pictures can be practiced.

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

KJH : Various paintbrush and tablets

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

KJH : Light and shadow. color. complementary lines and additions!

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

KJH : The spiritual concept of the whole design.

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

KJH : To learn and absorb, it is more important to understand the meaning behind it.

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

KJH : Company colleagues / have been working hard on collaborative design

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

KJH : The feeling of everyone and things in my life is the link that affects the design.

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

KJH : Master's portfolio

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

KJH : Start learning from the basics, even if the setbacks do not give up, accept the evaluation everyone gave me humbly.

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

KJH : Rem Koolhaas, discuss how to allocate spatial relations

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

KJH : Winning is a kind of affirmation. It is very exciting to be able to promote your design to international competitions and let more people see their design inspiration.

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

KJH : Gray, like to travel, the food should be refreshing black coffee and Taiwan snacks, the season is cold winter, furniture brand Minotti

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

KJH : Because of the dispute between the design concept and the owner, the two sides discussed the most perfect solution after the dispute. Although it took more effort, it was a very interesting and valuable experience.

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

KJH : Reading and listening to different types of music can inspire design inspiration.

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

KJH : There is no special feeling, but no matter what kind of things, are holding the spirit of perseverance and do not give up.

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

KJH : Fast and flexible change is the future trend, the earth should be destroyed in a thousand years

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

KJH : Hope to understand the space design is not only the picture, there are many experiences and feelings, the theme spirit and logic throughout is very important.