Vincent Hsieh

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Vincent Hsieh ("VH") 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?

VH : Since I starting work, mostly engaged in residential interior design. I began to design commercial spaces five years ago. My boss was from the United States, where the culture is very different from that of Taiwan, years of experience working with my American boss inspires me a lot of original ideas.

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

VH : Having strong feelings towards the aesthetic in space, I hope I can be a designer and create amazing works. Yes, I've been attracted to anything that has to do with aesthetic in my life since high school, especially architecture and interior design.

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

VH : I think being forced to design can be a very hard thing, both physically and psychologically: I think design is my instinct, and I'm lucky to be able to use my instinct as a profession and enjoy it.

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

VH : When encountering composition in design: A finished product that combines different elements and shapes to take on a new look, it always amazes me every time.

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

VH : Start every design process by thinking and observing.

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

VH : 3 elements makes a great designer: Attentive, patient, persistent. Attentive: Carefully attending to every detail; Patient: Think patiently and deal with everything that feels impossible; Persistent: Stick to the first two elements on every aspect.

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

VH : The coordination of material and space attributes, the control of shaping proportion, and the uniqueness of design style.

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

VH : Design is to create order in chaos while inspire imagination in an aesthetic way. Without design and designers, the world would be monotonous and out of order.

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

VH : A place to retire for our parents.

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

VH : every project can be a dream project, depends on the communication and effort you spend.

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

VH : The use of materials and the recreation of space.

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

VH : Architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s passion in the importance of interpenetrating exterior and interior spaces and the strong emphasis placed on harmony between man and nature.

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

VH : Fallingwater is a house designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1935 in the Laurel Highlands of southwest Pennsylvania, about 70 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. It is built partly over a waterfall. The boulders and trees of the original terrain are still preserved inside the building. From the appearance of the house, the interior design to all furnitures and even tablewares, all completed by the architect - incredible comprehensive design ability.

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

VH : Gum gum green garden is one of my greatest design by far. We've been trapped during pandemic and long for a trip. Thus setting a scene of tropical beach in this city centre restaurant is our biggest goal. Using aged woods and real coral sand, magically bring diners into a vacation experience. This basement restaurant is divided into five zones: lounge in the sand, island beach bar, rock cave dinning, garden cafe and jungle seat box, allowing returned customers to enjoy different atmosphere every time they dine in. Equipped with massive projection screen, sound systems and lighting combination, set the perfect stage for PR events and live parties.

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

VH : Accumulated experience in life. Start every design process by thinking and observing.

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

VH : Zoo keeper

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

VH : Design is to create order in chaos while inspire imagination in an aesthetic way. Without design and designers, the world would be monotonous and out of order.

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

VH : The another founder of HOAH Design Limited, who is also my wife, Muria Wu.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

VH : Accumulated experience in life. When interacting with clients, you will naturally feel the aura presented by them. It’s amazing. I have no idea when I start having this ability, to naturally capture the material and atmosphere suitable for my clients. Surprisingly, I have the same feeling when choosing building materials, I also feel that the materials are also interacting with me their preferred way to be presented.

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

VH : Design is indeed a very time-consuming work, so it can only be integrated into life.

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

VH : designers should be careful and patient, willing to listen, patiently communicate, and willing to try.

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

VH : Expand our company's business scope to include architectural and visual design, to achieve complete brand building, which help to develop a complete talent cultivation mechanism within the company. Our next step is talent development and cultivation.

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

VH : To have an impact.

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

VH : I want users to feel happy and relaxed when they enter the space I create. If there is a little surprise, it would be even better.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

VH : Design is to create order in chaos while inspire imagination in an aesthetic way. Without design and designers, the world would be monotonous and out of order.

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

VH : Expand our company's business scope to include architectural and visual design, to achieve complete brand building, which help to develop a complete talent cultivation mechanism within the company. Our next step is talent development and cultivation.

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

VH : Gum gum green garden is one of my greatest design by far. We've been trapped during pandemic and long for a trip. Thus setting a scene of tropical beach in this city centre restaurant is our biggest goal. Using aged woods and real coral sand, magically bring diners into a vacation experience. This basement restaurant is divided into five zones: lounge in the sand, island beach bar, rock cave dinning, garden cafe and jungle seat box, allowing returned customers to enjoy different atmosphere every time they dine in. Equipped with massive projection screen, sound systems and lighting combination, set the perfect stage for PR events and live parties.

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

VH : Environmental protection and material sustainability will be increasingly emphasised in the future of design.

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

VH : Environmental protection and material sustainability will be increasingly emphasised in the future of design.

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

VH : It depends.

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

VH : Start every design process by thinking and observing.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

VH : The use of materials and the recreation of space.

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

VH : design sets the trends

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

VH : mostly for calculation and fact founding.

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

VH : My most commonly used platform is Pinterest.

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

VH : The coordination of material and space attributes, the control of shaping proportion, and the uniqueness of design style are the core of design.

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

VH : The use of materials and the recreation of space.

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

VH : admire and curious.

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

VH : Yes I believe in co-design.

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

VH : years of experience working with my American boss inspires me a lot of original ideas.

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

VH : I seldom read books.

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

VH : Accumulated experience in life. When interacting with clients, you will naturally feel the aura presented by them. It’s amazing. I have no idea when I start having this ability, to naturally capture the material and atmosphere suitable for my clients. Surprisingly, I have the same feeling when choosing building materials, I also feel that the materials are also interacting with me their preferred way to be presented.

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

VH : Creator of the world.

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

VH : I am on my way.

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

VH : Here are my five favourite items at home: Sofa, bed, balcony bar, cabinet and the bathroom

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

VH : When interacting with clients, you will naturally feel the aura presented by them. It’s amazing. I have no idea when I start having this ability, to naturally capture the material and atmosphere suitable for my clients. Surprisingly, I have the same feeling when choosing building materials, I also feel that the materials are also interacting with me their preferred way to be presented.

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

VH : The positives are we need to be curious about a lot of things, especially the everlasting passion and execution; the negatives is that being everlasting positive can sometimes be tiring

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

VH : Having strong feelings towards the aesthetic in space.

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

VH : Environmental protection and material sustainability will be increasingly emphasised in the future of design.

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

VH : Without design and designers, the world would be monotonous and out of order.