Alex Liu

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Alex Liu ("AL") 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?

AL : I did not go to school to study art or design, but I've been in manufacturing for over 20 years. As a teenage during the 80's I got my first IBM PC and began to write code in DOS, although most of the knowledge I acquired was self taught but I learned to think both from macro perspective as well as to divide problems and to conquer them one small piece at a time, which later prove to be very important as we design products. My natural curiosity in knowing how things are made along with an interest in finding better ways to old solutions drove me to be more and more involve with products my company produces.

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

AL : I actually view myself as a businessman more than a designer. However there is certain lust in creating products, especially when it is something that hasn't been attempted.

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

AL : No, I get involve with design because it is relaxing for me. Working on product design takes me away from day to day business operations, which sometime can be very boring.

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

AL : I design mostly consumer products, however there is a part of me wanting to design products that could help those live in the developing world.

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

AL : First, I am no design legend; second, think out of the box and take chances; third, be ready to fall on your face, but get back up quickly.

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

AL : Trust your team and don't do it alone; Always connect dollar and cent to a design, the impact is minimal if you are the only one understand and appreciate your design.

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

AL : What is the impact of the design to the society? the really good design has a much larger impact and the market remembers it.

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

AL : Timeless, memorable, continuous revenue stream.

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

AL : Something that would solve the basic needs for people in the developing world.

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

AL : I have an idea for a new coffee maker unlike anything on the market, but I have enough works for the next 3 years.

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

AL : I have a great team

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

AL : FinaMill is my greatest design yet, it has the potential to change how everyone uses spice and how spice companies distribute spices around the world. For better or worse, FinaMill can become a game changer, and that is exciting for me to see how things will unfold.

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

AL : Expose yourself with history, cutting edge design, and everything in between, but don't reinvent the wheel.

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

AL : Stay focus with other aspect of my business.

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

AL : I appreciate those who design for better looks, finding the best color balance and perfect geometry is no easy task. I tend to focus on design for better functionalities. To me, design encompasses user interfaces, delivery system, functionalities and whole lot more into an object that suppose to change people's life for the better.

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

AL : I have great support team at work, but I reply more on my wife's market instinct.

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

AL : A'Design is a great platform to show their work.

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

AL : We plan to announce our next design in 2021, but we are unable to disclose what the design entail at this time.

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

AL : Market remembers your design.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

AL : If a design improve the quality of life without creating new problem, then it helps create a better society

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

AL : We believe FinaMill will be a game changer in the spice market.

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

AL : Two to three years.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

AL : Respect other designers before me, be original, think out of the box.

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

AL : This is a basic difference between good and great: great design set the trend.

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

AL : Admiration.