Ma Shao-Hsuan

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Ma Shao-Hsuan ("MS") 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?

MS : My mother is a teacher of traditional Chinese painting and national dance, which may have influenced me have deep affection for painting and creation, as well as the development of art and aesthetics. Until I studied architecture in university, I have logically transformed the creation into design, more likely to implement the design beautifully.

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

MS : For me, design is a combination process of sense and sensibility, science and aesthetics. It is fortunately for me to be engaged in architecture and interior design. We often say that design is life. This is a profession that is closely related to everything in life. To create an environment or space that is good for both physically and mentally is the happiest thing.

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

MS : I choose to become a designer.

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

MS : I am engaged in building and interior design, especially villa.

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

MS : I am a young designer myself.

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

MS : A great designer can influence the social and cultural level even deeper, even for several generations.

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

MS : Simple and practical is my favorite design. Base on users’ habits and the natural of the material to adjust the appropriate proportion, thus the outcome is beautiful not tinsel.

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

MS : A good design can effectively solve the problem and produce the best results after planning.

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

MS : I want to design an art and design school for my hometown.

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

MS : I want to design and establish an art and design school.

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

MS : Well communication with users and think from the user end.

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

MS : Le Corbusier, Carlo Scarpa, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Álvaro Siza, Tadao Ando.

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

MS : Villa Tugendhat designed by Ludwig Mies van der RoheIt is a milestone in modernist architecture. In appearance, it does not have the charm to attract people, and it is easy to miss the opportunity to discover its inner beauty. The original design concept was "move freely space". The so-called "move freely space" means that the whole building merges with the garden space into one without a boundary, and the French casement on both sides are completely open, integrates indoor and outdoor living. The internal building materials are all without any decoration.

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

MS : I am best at the home design, which can make the residents live with pleasure in this space.

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

MS : The creative concept, design idea and pursuit of aesthetic beauty come from the accumulation of daily life. In addition to reading and thinking, the pursuit of quality life, grow various hobbies and keep exploring the world curiously, these are the resources to breakout from the traditional design but gain innovational and inspirational design.

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

MS : To be a doctor or chef.

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

MS : Design is life is my believe. Considering the relationship between users a variety of space that from metropolis to buildings to interiors and to furniture. Repeatedly explore the nature of the space for the propose of compatible, sustainable and logical strategies, which contains aesthetic philosophy. Every design is the outcome of the integration of function and aesthetics.

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

MS : My wife, she is also a designer, we help each other in life and at work.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

MS : I think is the passion for design and persistence in beauty.

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

MS : A long and narrow base which is close to other buildings on three sides and the entrance faces to the road. This self-built home is a three-generation family of 10 members. Due to Feng Shui, it will not do patio lighting in the center of the building, nor the uplift space, so the windows for breath and light of the building will be the biggest challenge.

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

MS : I want to design and establish an art and design school.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

MS : A good design provides not only safety and convenience for people's daily life and work, but also provides communication between people to maintain emotions and the sublimation of the soul. Furthermore, it also has a certain effect on the development of the city.

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

MS : Building fascinating buildings at interesting bases.

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

MS : Effectively use the space in some small houses and meet all the needs when the design is comfortable.

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

MS : I think that some design fields are still irreplaceable professional by computers. Basic design skills may be required as a basic ability for everyone in the future.

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

MS : It depends on the size and form of the case, at least 3 to 6 months.

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

MS : I usually do a thoroughly investigation of the needs of the owners and collect basic information before I start the graphics design.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

MS : Design is life is my believe.

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

MS : I think trends set the designs.

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

MS : Other than paper and pen, I also use graphic design and 3D software.

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

MS : Color and material determine the harmony in the space.

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

MS : How did you think of this design?

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

MS : I admire the efforts of the designer had done for the great design.

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

MS : My wife has always been my good design partner. Co-design is very important.

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

MS : With my colleagues and designer friends of the same peer group.

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

MS : Collections of those maters works.

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

MS : Nonstop thinking and training.

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

MS : Le Corbusier.

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

MS : Thanks to the judges for in favoriting my work. It is a great encouragement to me. It is not hard to become famous, but it is difficult to meet good owners.

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

MS : My favorite color is black, favorite place is home, favorite food is hamburger, the favorite season is autumn, the favorite thing is movie, and favorite brand is Muji.

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

MS : In order to show that I am also capable to work as on-site worker, hence I climbed the three-story scaffold and found that I am defeated by my fear of heights.

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

MS : As a designer, to choose daily life items is handy, and it is easy to inspire from the beautiful things.

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

MS : At that time I thought I would become a painter.

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

MS : It is possible that any design field can be replaced by artificial intelligence.