Mars Design Consultants

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Mars Design Consultants ("MDC") 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?

MDC : Graduated in 2007 as a graphic designer and in 2010 gained a master's degree from the Design and Brand Strategy of the University of Brunel London.

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

MDC : To be a designer and artist is my life goal since very young, and I have never question about it.

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

MDC : We mainly work for high-end hospitality projects, and we have a wide range of services. Our services include branding, hotel collaterals, amenities, packaging, signage wayfinding and artwork selections.

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

MDC : Travelling, reading, observing and listening.

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

MDC : The difference is whether your design inspired or help others to get better.

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

MDC : A good design is a solution to answer the question of human needs. To make your life easier, better and hopeful.

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

MDC : We are looking forward to work with more top hotel operators, like Four Seasons and Aman Resorts.

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

MDC : To make it pretty.

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

MDC : Zaha Hadid, Vivienne Westwood and Marcel Wanders

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

MDC : The signage design for our Six Senses Barwara project in Rajasthan. The unique cultural associates the royal spirits and local craftsmanship.

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

MDC : Collecting inspiration from travels. As a designer you should not lock yourself in the room, you should always keep exploring new things.

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

MDC : To be a designer and artist is my life goal since very young, and I have never question about it.

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

MDC : Design is a solution to answer the question of human needs. To make your life easier, better and hopeful.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MDC : Your experience, talents and interest.

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

MDC : To let others find your work.

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

MDC : Currently, we are working on a few new hotel branding projects in Beijing.

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

MDC : Be yourself not others.

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

MDC : Angela: The roof bar Morph, at Kempinski Hotel Hangzhou. Although we only entered the design pitching for this project, we enjoyed this type of legend story theme. And thanks A Design Award to give us this opportunity to show our concepts to the public.
Nico: Congo Palace, it’s a hotel branding.

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

MDC : We will found ourselves in awe of how digital changed so many aspects of our life. The way we work and socialize are all different than before, as well as the design platform. For instance, graphics is turning its way to animated graphics instead.

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

MDC : It really depends on what you are working with. If you are working on a product, it may take months for prototyping. It may just take you a day to design the logo if you already had a solution in your mind.

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

MDC : The design should always start from sketches, not from your screen.

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

MDC : Both. The design needs to meet human needs and at the same time, good design will leading you to gain something new.

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

MDC : Your experience and mistakes.

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

MDC : Awards could probably let more people know Mars Design from the crowds. It is important for the start-up and we should not give up any chance to show our works. But we will never make designs for awards.