Calix Wong

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Calix Wong ("CW") 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?

CW : I graduated in The Hong Kong University SPACE in Visual Communication. After 7 years of design working experience on branding, advertising, book etc, I established my own design studio ABCDESIGN in 2011. I am happy to keep focusing on graphic design in branding field.

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

CW : I believe design make everything better, not only in terms of beauty, but also communication and practice.

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

CW : I chose to be a designer. It's funny I studied Maths and Science in high school, so that I was supposed to chose engineering, but I didn't.

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

CW : I like designing logo, corporate identity.

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

CW : Keep talking to others. Don't stay at your own place.

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

CW : A great designer can tell you why the design is created, and how the design make things better.

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

CW : A good design helps communication, connecting people.

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

CW : I will design a poster to express my love with family.

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

CW : I what to design a tattoo for myself, really meaningful.

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

CW : No specific, always try and error.

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

CW : Alan Chan, Stefan Sagmeister, Naoto Fukasawa

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

CW : TWELVE, the Issey Miyake watch designed by Naoto Fukasawa. It's intelligent, simple and extremely beautiful.

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

CW : I designed a series of clock designs. I used the Chinese words "Shi Jian" which mean "Time" to create the design concept of the clocks.

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

CW : I always imagine I become an astronaut.

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

CW : Design makes things better.

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

CW : Some times, the brain is empty. Need to practise the thinking procedure.

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

CW : Change the world! Sounds kidding, but YES!

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

CW : Should be a professional suggestion on their problem.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CW : Design always make good communication, which is very important to the society.

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

CW : An own branding project working with other partners. It's about a mature man project.

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

CW : 821 Laundry, the project helps me to get this award.

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

CW : Respectation

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

CW : About 1 month.

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

CW : Always research first.

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

CW : Of course "design sets the trends". No design no trends.

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

CW : Just a tool. Design is all about mind.

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

CW : Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop etc.

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

CW : These control the feeling, mood of the design.

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

CW : Why you did you have this idea.

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

CW : How the designer came up with that idea?

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

CW : Thinking, correcting, thinking and keep correcting.

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

CW : Andy Warhol.

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

CW : Yes, even you did good things, it's not necessary all people know you.

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

CW : I love white, in fact it's not a color. I like Japan, it let me feel calm. I love egg. Autumn for sure, even I can play "layering" on my outlook. I like sneakers, it is really an "art". Muji, a brand with no brand, the one and the only one.

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

CW : I tried to punish my client, because they didn't respect designer.

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

CW : I played Lego in a creative way...

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

CW : I think we will move away the Earth. All the designs will be minimal.