CHEANG Hoi Fung

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer CHEANG Hoi Fung ("CHF") 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?

CHF : i graduated in BSC (Hon) quantity surveying and worked as a quantity surveyor for 3 years. i felt so excited when the design drawing turned to actually built. i was touched by every detail. i studied part time evening course of interior design after then and changed my career gradually.

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

CHF : -i am talented on it, and i have passion. -with the strong technical background makes me a lot easier to manage the designer.

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

CHF : i have worked as interior designer more than 15 years

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

CHF : i design interior. i wish to do more furniture design

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

CHF : -think out of the box. -work hard -work with passion

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

CHF : -good designer can do good design -great designer can do timeless and symbolic design.

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

CHF : -good form and shape -useful -make people/ end users feel exciting, touching and joyful. -VS. cost

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

CHF : good design can make people feeling joyful, peaceful, happy, exciting, interesting, inspiration, relaxing. that's why we need invest on design so that people physical and mental health can be improved.

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

CHF : i will design a mediation place for buddhist.

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

CHF : architectural projects

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

CHF : -touch base client needs from their heart -study the living pattern of the enduser -inspiration via the mediation. -budget and progress control

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

CHF : -tadao ando; norman foster; lecorbusier;

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

CHF : Porsche ; timeless and always good looking and good performance

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

CHF : I ever designed and owned biscuit shop named 'Blesscuit'; it means all the cookie and biscuit baked with blessing.

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

CHF : -more care others -enlarge their vision -respect everyone/ everything surrounded

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

CHF : - a builder

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

CHF : design is part of our life, it physically and mentally influence our life.

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

CHF : -my family -all my ex- bosses -all my clients

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CHF : -gratitude -blessing -love

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

CHF : -my own thought; self- limitation

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

CHF : -simple and clear; but strong message

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

CHF : -I am doing couple of small residential project currently. I expect to do some big one in near future.

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

CHF : -financially freedom with no stress; just doing the high quality projects

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

CHF : -good design -work in harmony and joyful mood with people -responsible (quality , time and cost control)

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CHF : -create harmony, joyful and peaceful space for people releasing stress and balance their emotion

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

CHF : -I do design + PM + build projects and all parts under my control

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

CHF : 'Blesscuit' cookie store, meaningful name and strong message deliver to customers.

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

CHF : -recycle material used;less use of the natural material such as wood and stone

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

CHF : blend with the natural

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

CHF : depends. usually 4-6 weeks

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

CHF : -user criteria (mood, time , cost)

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CHF : - always respect and care people -meditation

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

CHF : either ways

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

CHF : -make end users and the team more easy to understand the design via seeing the visual simulation

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

CHF : -autocad; 3d studio max

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

CHF : -main role; as important as the form and shape

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

CHF : - how can you make the ambient so timeless, peaceful and harmony?

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

CHF : -feel gratitude I have the opportunity to seeing that.

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

CHF : -buddha/ universe (via the mediation)

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

CHF : -client / end user

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

CHF : -law of attraction

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

CHF : -projects designed by others -past experience -window shopping -seeing the show flat for new property -mediation

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

CHF : -I treat all these as a profile in order to give confident to my clients.

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

CHF : earth tone; hong kong all foods autumn cars, glasses, watches, cigar, home

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

CHF : the contractor engraved the dimension sign and figure on the physical stone floor as shown in the shop drawing

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

CHF : -gratitude -blessing -family

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

CHF : -not yet; until I had my first summer job for building philippe starck designed restaurant

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

CHF : AI can do interior design and fitout

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

CHF : I want everyone knows I am so caring about their thought, I want to design the space for people feel, joyful, happy , harmony, peaceful and timeless.