WANG SI HAN

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer WANG SI HAN ("WSH") 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?

WSH : Design is always part of my academy journey since young. I graduated from CHINA Technology of university major in build and design

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

WSH : Designer has always been my dream since when i was a little girl. During my academic journey i have always excel in arts lessons. The journey of this dream has always been with me and with my persistence and commitment..I am proud to be one of the successful designer in my country. Every project that is under my watch and care i treat it as my new born baby...from develop and born to a complete beautiful adult. This process brings about unlimited passion and love. design is like my soul.. my shadow..my blood. is my everything.

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

WSH : absolutely i choose to be a designer

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

WSH : hotels/ residential show flats / commercial / resorts / intelligent ecology farm etc and i would like to do more hotel design

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

WSH : passion ..lots of it / commitment / patience / discipline

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

WSH : great designer share their insights and experience with the younger designer. they will also contribute back to the society.

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

WSH : satisfied customer's requirement. transform the problems into its functional advantage.

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

WSH : design should be seen as priceless hence is valuable. It contributes to the well being and quality of life. a good design provide a serene cal relax and comfortable environment which constitute to a healthy body and mind.

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

WSH : My dream resort which i have always wanted to.

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

WSH : My dream resort

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

WSH : there is no secret recipe. it still goes back to the basic of discipline / commitment / passion / patience and lots of research

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

WSH : Mr KENGO KUMA from Japan

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

WSH : Singapore changi airport indoor water fall. It is world's largest indoor water fall make within a compact space which is previously a open car park.

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

WSH : a Japanese cultural heritage resort which is transform from a rural poor old village. It was great as the whole place is totally from a eye sore village site to a beautiful japan heritage resort. a major transformation

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

WSH : other than discipline / commitment / passion / patience and lots of research. possess a good quality of living...

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

WSH : still a designer but perhaps a fashion designer

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

WSH : design is to bring about enhancing the quality of living and its functionality. is to be able to bring about a healthy mind and soul to mankind. bringing a smile to everyone.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

WSH : discipline / commitment / passion / patience and lots of research / positive attitude

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

WSH : when client do not appreciate or share the same view of the design. The challenge to convince them the ultimate objectives and its benefits.

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

WSH : present ready finished photos image and explain the design concept so as to better visualize the idea behind the design project

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

WSH : intelligent ecology farm. moving forward i would be involve more projects that are relevant to intelligence building.

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

WSH : the goal is to be able to contribute to the society in a big way

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

WSH : socially responsible / share ideas and views / committed / on time delivery / progressively updating the process with client / positive attitude

DL: How does design help create a better society?

WSH : environmental protection / great use of recycle material/ control wastage / create jobs

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

WSH : A design awards

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

WSH : residential show flat. the design is so appealing that it was a sell out within 10 days after launch.

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

WSH : more environmentally Green

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

WSH : environmentally Green and technology

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

WSH : 2 - 6 months depending the size and complex of the project

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

WSH : investigate the site / understand customer's requirements / find inspiration / draw plans / 3d model / construction drawing / site supervision

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

WSH : design derives from life while creativity from soul

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

WSH : design set trends

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

WSH : in a big way. It largely helps to provide precise info and details. From research work to design work it does contribute accuracy convenient and time savings.

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

WSH : software includes SU/CAD/3D. APPLE computer

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

WSH : its role is like the sun the air and the water....they are interdependent and indispensable

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

WSH : what are my pain and challenges

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

WSH : there must be great sacrifice and hard work involved.

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

WSH : Mr Kengo Kuma. Yes i believed.

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

WSH : people from all walks of life

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

WSH : A LAB for materials by Mr Kengo Kuma

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

WSH : Through hard work/ passion / patience/ positive attitude / lots of travelling and research

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

WSH : Mr Kengo Kuma

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

WSH : The awards is a endorsement and recognition of my works by a reputable organisation. It says my work is great and it gives great encouragement and motivation. Famous is not importance for me.

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

WSH : white / japan / japan delicacies / spring / FENDI

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

WSH : exhibition hall design dilemma - 12 hours before the opening and launching of the exhibition hall where 1200 guests including the government head arriving..We were ask to change the main sign printings which claimed to be error and needed replacement. it was in the wee hours midnight. Contractors and supplier were uncontactable. In the end we are able to resolve the problem and get it replace in a super tight time and resource.

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

WSH : a nice cup of hot coffee in the morning.

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

WSH : Design will be well preserve and to be share with the future AI designer

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

WSH : sharing experience in my quality of lives and my design inspiration.