Kenmura Jeng

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Kenmura Jeng ("KJ") 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?

KJ : I have been an ID designer since I finished my B.A of Industrial design from college in Taiwan. After working two years , in order to have different experience, I went to Northumbria university of England to study for a master's degree. Now I am working as a industrial designer in D-Link . And I invent with friends to develop our own brand "Melting. We like to express our idea for design and life through our product.

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

KJ : I like to draw and disassemble machines since I was little. Ever since I know about industrial design, I devoted myself in it. And that is how I become a designer.

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

KJ : I like design and I knew it since I was very young.

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

KJ : Because of my job, most of my design is for 3C products. However I am also fond of products for daily usage.

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

KJ : Concentrate on the projects that you are doing every time, to accumulate experience and deepen your thoughts.

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

KJ : It a difference between get a job finished and get a job well done. I mean you have to put your vision over market, production and consumption ..all of them.

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

KJ : It takes a considerable thoughts to have a good design, Not only the sales performance tells, time will also prove it.

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

KJ : People would take objects of good design like a treasure, they would likely to promote and share with others.

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

KJ : I have more time , I am always willing to design for objects that I never tried before.

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

KJ : My dream project is for medical instruments, not for using in the hospital, for using in every family instead, to help people to manage their health.

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

KJ : I always put the lifecycle of my design for 10 or 20 years, what would they become after all these years.

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

KJ : There are too many design masters and legends to chase after them. Richard Sapper, Dieter Rams, Jasper Morisson, Edward Barbe, Konstantin Grcic, Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec...

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

KJ : I like coffee maker 9090 by Richard Sapper, and I have been using it for more than 12 years , it still looks great and functions well.

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

KJ : I think it is the CORM, Simple and elegant to use, CORM is an essential oil diffuser that helps stimulate and invigorate both your senses of sight and smell in everyday life.

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

KJ : Keep your curiosity and do not define yourself only in the field of design. Need to look at the world with a wider points of view.

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

KJ : A cartoonist !

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

KJ : Design is to make decision on the detail parts for people, Keep finding a proper alternatives for users

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

KJ : Most support is from my family and friends, and also the trust that given by my cooperating partners.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

KJ : To think about more possibilities , which push us try to change

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

KJ : Taiwan has always been OEM for super brands, here people regards design with cheap and low value, therefore I think it takes considerable efforts to prove the value of design in my country.

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

KJ : It is a good method to present works through competition.

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

KJ : I hope to find suitable manufacturer to complete the products that I design.

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

KJ : To make people like the products that we design.

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

KJ : See the beauty and surprises !

DL: How does design help create a better society?

KJ : A good design makes people feel good. When people are happy and satisfied, it is a good thing to our society.

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

KJ : Market react

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

KJ : In the beginning, it is just a simple idea for Shuttle. After finding solution to the structure problem, we finally come out with the product that we imagine.

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

KJ : Now it is more and more convenient for the design tools.

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

KJ : Interactive design

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

KJ : 2 to 3 months

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

KJ : I usually start by collecting data.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

KJ : Maybe, We can expect users to enjoy life in different ways by our design.

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

KJ : When 2 Trends are happening at the same time , it is just like a circle, they affects each others, just do not know who is first and who come latter.

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

KJ : Technology helps to put my image into a ready shape

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

KJ : Rhinoceros/ Creo/ CorelDRAW/ photoshop....

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

KJ : It depends case by case, whether the product to show characteristics or hide it on purpose.

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

KJ : How to do this?

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

KJ : What a smart designer ! Never image about this design before.

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

KJ : In our team , we always view the projects by different points of view. Everyone has his idea, and could propose effective suggestions.

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

KJ : Through interactions with people live around you, and people who you work with.

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

KJ : The design of everyday things by Donald A. Norman and Dieter Rams: As Little Design as Possible.

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

KJ : Keep thinking and thinking, no matter what it is, even it has nothing to do with design. And check what people have done to inspire myself.

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

KJ : Must be Richard Sapper. His works always stand the test of time.

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

KJ : I have awarded with many medal , including IDEA, IF , REDDOT and Good Design…etc. For me it is an encourage and recognition, it has nothing to do with fame. There are too many great designer in the world, everyone is making good designs, and I am only one of them.

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

KJ : My favorite color is Cherry red Place: Lake Lucerne Food : Taiwanese traditional dishes Season : Autumn

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

KJ : There are too many memories and it is hard for me to pick one one

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

KJ : Obey to the nature of what I am. Because I like to design , I always feel energetic and natural when I am doing it.

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

KJ : When I was a child, I was always a fanciful person. I first contacted with design at age of 16, and I started to imagine that I could become a famous designer in the future.

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

KJ : Soon after, humans need to upgrade themselves to survive. That is humans will become new races.

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

KJ : They can come to our official website to see what we are doing.