Charles Lee

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Charles Lee ("CL") 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?

CL : Since senior high school I have been interested in the arts. Then I decided to choose design because my passion in there. I graduated as a graphic design degree at ITB Bandung in 2005. Since then I have started working in several design companies in Jakarta ranging from advertising, inhouse, printing to graphic studios.

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

CL : Design is my passion. My motivation is actually to help others in making their lives better. Because I believe with design, we can make the world better, no matter how small our contributions. That's what motivated me until now.

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

CL : I choose to become designer.

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

CL : I have tried various fields that related to graphic design such as illustrations, books, logos, marketing, shirts to website & application. All have their own challenges in the process but it encourages me to continue to create better. Lately I have been designing someone biography book which in my opinion is very engaging because in the process we needs to connect with the author so that the end result will reflects the author itself.

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

CL : Just trust yourself, keep learning and do want you passion about.

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

CL : In my opinion a good designer only just answering the brief as they expected to do while a great designer provides no just good solution but adding other values beyond what is expected by the client.

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

CL : I have been taught that ‘design’ is to answer the problem. So in my opinion the essential point in evaluate a good design is must be able to provide solutions to client problems, while things that related to the design style are more subjective.

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

CL : Because design is ‘the solution’, in my opinion, we all have to really invest our time in there so that the results will provide the precise solution for the brand. When all goes well, our business will also be good and sustain which will increase our profit too. Is that what we could hope for our business?

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

CL : I like to make a personal project.

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

CL : I want to make a ‘personal’ project for myself.

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

CL : Smart working, open minded, do listen & keep learning, and always trust in yourself.

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

CL : I get inspired by Pentagram’s works especially Michael Bierut.

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

CL : My favourite one is Michael Bierut because of how his worked and managed his design. I think he is a scientist because of insight he has while working on a project.

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

CL : Viva's Annual Report 2017 project is one of I can be proud of. Apart from having answered the brief, several different design approaches that I submitted were approved by the client too.

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

CL : Keep learning and open minded. With the internet, it helps us to open our perspective so we can learn from other designers success too or learn from their mistaken.

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

CL : Hmmm… I never thought about that.

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

CL : “Design” for me is the process of finding the right solutions to a problem that encourage people live.

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

CL : I am very grateful to Mr. Ismiaji Cahyono for his trust in accepting me as his employee. He saw the potential and believed in my abilities so that I reach these height today.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CL : I believe designer and clients are inseparable partners. Both parties are existed to help each other. In my opinion, my client who have pushed me make me who I am today.

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

CL : The biggest obstacle is my easily satisfied attitude. It makes me not willing to explore any other possibilities that might even better than I had before.

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

CL : I am not a person who likes to speak in public. I prefer my work to speak itself. When we do things wholeheartedly, I think the other person who receives it will understand it too.

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

CL : All is in confidential closure with my client.

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

CL : My goal is that ‘design’ can make people lives better than before.

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

CL : Don't expect anything from me because I'm still learning and developing myself too. So just be yourself.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CL : Design which has been made with thoughtful and integrity that can offers solutions for existing problems that will have an impact on our society.

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

CL : I am working on some interesting personal projects which can encourage me to explore more than the existing. I hope it turn out well.

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

CL : I am satisfied with the results of the most of the project that I had been handled. It is all because of the good communication between me and my client so it accommodates all the needed aspects without have to sacrifice the aesthetic side.

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

CL : I hope that clients in my country will more appreciated the value of design because it is made by hardwork and thoughtful process. Design is as valuable as other fields.

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

CL : I see a bright future for design because more and more people are aware of the power of design in their lives. Design is not underestimated and as important as other fields of science.

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

CL : When all the materials are complete, the finalization process can take place only 1-2 days depending on the complexity of the project.

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

CL : I always start a project by analyzing the challenges and obstacles and then starting a brief research on what already existing or what we can offer to provide solution (can be complemented by a number of references too).

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CL : Trust yourself, always do what you passion about and do your best at the given time.

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

CL : I think that design sets the trend because as designers we are always expected to create something new when offering solutions. These solutions are creating new trends in society.

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

CL : Besides my creativity, technology plays an important role in my design process. Now, everything is very dependent on technology as well as design. But my advise that we should not be enslaved by technology because technology only as a tool.

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

CL : I usually use computer to make designs, with the help of Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and Indesign.

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

CL : In design, both color, materials, and ambient take an important role because the results will interact and effect the lives of our audience (either directly and through other media).

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

CL : What was my thinking when designing it.

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

CL : I like to ask myself what behind the designer’s mind so he/she can produce such a great design.

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

CL : Basically designers are selfish being creatures in certain stages of their lives where they want to highlight their own ideas, But that doesn't mean that they cannot cooperate with other people. We have to keep in our minds, in order to provide the best solution/answer, the design must accommodate various other fields as well.

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

CL : I am very grateful to Mr. Ismiaji Cahyono for being creative director and boss in opening the opportunity and helping me to grow until this day.

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

CL : I am not the book reader type because I am more visual person. I prefer to pay attention to other people's designs and learn about their successes and mistakes.

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

CL : Continue to see & learn and be open minded to all the criticisms and challenges and keep evaluate what has been done for a better future.

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

CL : I want to meet again with my lecturer because he was a talented yet has good character. I want to ask how to be a great design yet down-to-earth designer so we can contribute to our society.

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

CL : I don't feel famous because I think I am just commoner who wants to help my clients' problems. I still have many shortcomings and try to continue to improve myself.

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

CL : I like yellow and blue because it make my mood better. Right now I'm starting to practise meditation so I tend to like more quiet places to calm my soul. Whereas for goods or brands, I do not have any particular preferences in certain brands as long as practical and affordable.

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

CL : When I am flashback on my designer’s life, I have one little embarrassement moment. At my first interview in automotive company as graphic designer, I have made a packaging for my portfolio using illustrations of my face and I was so nervous to explain the behind story that everything seemed so chaotic and a parody of myself.

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

CL : I become designer to help other people's lives. I was originally like a child in general and liked Japanese comics when I was growing up and then decided to study pictures from there and become a designer in the end.

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

CL : I have a normal childhood. I began to decide to become a design when I was at senior high school.

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

CL : Better world for human being to live in.

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

CL : I am just only human being but I like what I do. Believe in your abilities because we can conquer everything. Do your best at and try to understand side-views for your clients so you can offer the best solutions for them.