Christia Cheuk-Ying Fung

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Christia Cheuk-Ying Fung ("CCF") 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?

CCF : I was lucky to be accepted in the York University/Sheridan College Joint Program in Design. I barely took any art classes before that, so I felt it was a fluke to be accepted to that program.

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

CCF : I became a designer because I liked the idea of making something different on a daily basis. I didn't want to be in a job that is the same everyday.

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

CCF : I chose to be one, since I originally had a diploma in engineering, but I lost interest in electrical engineering.

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

CCF : I design all things graphics related: print and digital design. I would love to dabble in some furniture design in the future.

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

CCF : I wouldn't consider myself a design legend. But young guns should just, trust their gut and try new things.

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

CCF : Great designer is able to push an idea to somewhere unexpected.

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

CCF : Good design communicates an idea effectively.

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

CCF : Good design is influential and can start a movement of some kind.

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

CCF : If I had time, I would design a chair for my parents, so they can take a break.

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

CCF : An illustration series.

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

CCF : Just keep working, and remember to eat something, so you don't starve yourself.

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

CCF : Pum Lefebure, Stefan Sagmeister and Jessica Walsh

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

CCF : "Never Stand Still" campaign by Design Army

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

CCF : My bandage packaging concept called, "Fail Bot". It's a fun packaging piece that combines profanity with the size of the band aid you need to use for your injury. I had so much fun making it.

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

CCF : Keep experimenting and trust your gut.

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

CCF : I wanted to be a stunts person so bad when I was younger. But ended up getting an electrical engineer diploma, so I guess that would've been my move.

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

CCF : Design is something used to communicate an idea to the masses.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CCF : Learning from other designers I've worked with.

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

CCF : Biggest obstacle will always be conceptualizing an idea.

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

CCF : Go in with confidence.

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

CCF : Expect something different.

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

CCF : To keep creating things that is functional.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CCF : Making things more accessible and educating people.

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

CCF : Cabinet maker's website

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

CCF : Peppers & Circumstance, since the client gave me complete trust and allowed me to do whatever I wanted.

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

CCF : Something incorporating new tech

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

CCF : More towards the digital space.

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

CCF : It depends on what type of project.

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

CCF : Pen and paper, I'm old fashioned.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CCF : Go for something that scares you

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

CCF : Does both count? Since people draw inspiration from somewhere and some people are able to inspire others.

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

CCF : It creates new opportunities to create something.

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

CCF : Mainly adobe software and some Sketch.

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

CCF : It sets the mood of the piece and it makes a huge difference in design.

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

CCF : Someone who is way better than me, so I can learn from him/her. I believe in collaboration and pushing each other to be better.

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

CCF : The funny people. They remind you to not take things so seriously.

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

CCF : Gig Posters, not necessary a book to read, but it has a bunch of concert posters in there done by very talented people.

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

CCF : Ask friends for feedback to double check that most people understand what you're trying to achieve in the design.

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

CCF : Bruce Lee

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

CCF : It's not hard because I'm not famous.

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

CCF : Colour: black, even though it's not technically a colour Place: Don't have one at the moment Food: Dumplings, since there are so many approaches to it from different cultures Season: Fall, the perfect weather Thing: Drums Brand: Don't have one

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

CCF : Having a shot-ski with coworkers is a bad idea, especially when you're short. The entire shot of vodka just got dunked on my face since they flipped the ski so fast and I was nowhere near the height of everyone around me. Moral of the story, don't do shot-skis with tall people.

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

CCF : Being able to work with interesting people to create stuff.

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

CCF : Nope, since I can't even colour within the lines.

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

CCF : Robot apocalypse.