HO YU LIU

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer HO YU LIU ("HYL") 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?

HYL : I don't have much of a design background. I am a self-taught jewelry designer because previously I used to sell jewelry at the retail level.

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

HYL : I became a designer because a few years ago because my friend told me that I should change my path. She encouraged me to design my own jewelry because I liked to paint. I was motivated to make a change because I have the possibility to actually make the change.

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

HYL : I chose to become a designer.

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

HYL : I only design jewelry and in the future I hope I can design more rings in the future.

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

HYL : They should do what they want but you also need to study hard.

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

HYL : The difference is that a great designer can touch your heart because of their designs. When other people see those designs, they will feel happy.

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

HYL : Looking at that design from a different perspective usually changes a good design to a really good design.

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

HYL : Everyone should invest in good design because it demonstrates your passion for the the industry. The value is in the personal gratification you get when customers get what they want.

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

HYL : I would like to design a piece of jewelry that could also be considered art. That is my dream project that I hope to realize in the future.

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

HYL : My secret when I am designing something is to just be relaxed.

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

HYL : One of that great design legends that inspires me is Cindy Chou.

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

HYL : I like Cindy Chou's designs because they are very close to nature and that is something very important to me.

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

HYL : I don't know have a greatest design yet because I am still relatively young in the jewelry design industry.

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

HYL : One of the best ways to improve themselves is to learn more and understand more about the various brands of jewelry.

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

HYL : If I hadn't become a jewelry designer, I would have become a clothing designer.

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

HYL : I think design is defined by the immediate thought when given a new project by a customer.

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

HYL : I didn't really have the biggest supporter but almost all my customers helped me to achieve my current level of success.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

HYL : The properties of gemstones have helped me to become a great designer. Just looking at a stone helps me to think how to change them.

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

HYL : One of the obstacles is realizing my design because the master craftsman's impression of my design can sometimes be different from what I expect. Also sometimes customers don't like my impression of their design.

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

HYL : I think designers should present their work in an honest and clear fashion. They should do their best to translate their inspiration to a real design.

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

HYL : My next project is going to be a decorative ring.

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

HYL : My ultimate goal is for more people to do what they want to do.

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

HYL : My customers expect my design ability and designs to become more international.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

HYL : Design helps create a better society by encouraging people to pursue what they want to do in life.

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

HYL : I am currently working on a project involving pearls. It is an old-style necklace that I hope to modernize.

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

HYL : My current project involving the pearl necklace has given me the most satisfaction because it reminds me of music.

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

HYL : I hope the jewelry industry can change expand and be more accessible to people.

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

HYL : I think as far as the jewelry industry is concerned. There will be a less of a focus on big retail jewelry and more on a personalized experience.

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

HYL : It usually takes me about 1 month to finish a design but the time period depends on the complexity of the project.

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

HYL : When I have a new project, I will first look at the stone for inspiration and then from work from there.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

HYL : My life motto is that if you are ready, good things will come to you.

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

HYL : I believes that trends set the designs.

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

HYL : I believe in the case of the jewelry industry, 3d has had an important impact on the way I design.

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

HYL : I don't use any special software to design because I prefer the traditional methods of sketching.

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

HYL : These things help you to feel that the details are more delicate.

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

HYL : I wish they could ask me where I got my inspiration from? I also wish they could ask me what my gut feeling was

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

HYL : When I see a new great design, my first thought is usually amazement.

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

HYL : Yes, I believe in co-design. I think one of my customers would be an ideal design partner.

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

HYL : I think Cindy Chou most influenced my design.

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

HYL : Not so much books but quite a few magazines have influenced my design.

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

HYL : I developed my skills through lots of practice.

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

HYL : If I could meet someone regardless of time, I would love to talk to my dad again because he recently passed away.

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

HYL : The A'Design competition is the first one I have entered so I would hardly call myself famous.

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

HYL : My favorite color is white. My favorite place is Meinong. My favorite food is rice. My favorite season is winter. My favorite thing is something my father gave me. My favorite brand is Cartier.

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

HYL : A funny experience as a designer was when I designing a pearl necklace but when I finished it looked like an eggplant.

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

HYL : I motivate myself by having a desire to help more people.

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

HYL : Yes, it was obvious I would become a designer.

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

HYL : I think in the future people will do more of what they like.

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

HYL : I hope people can know that I will designer better and improve more.