Aye Nyein Pyu

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Aye Nyein Pyu ("ANP") 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?

ANP : When I was a kid, I remember colouring often with crayons. From the very beginning I enjoyed working with colours, and layering colours for different effects. My favourite subject was always art and oddly enough, math. Seeing how I love to draw a lot, starting 2nd grade my mom put me in an art class every summer, but it wasn’t until I was 14 when I moved to Singapore American School I was given the opportunity to take a large variety of art classes and really pursue my passion for art. After completing high school I moved to Canada to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in jewellery design and metalsmithing, and have lived in Toronto since. After graduating from OCAD university I started Mondselle, my own jewellery line, which consists of both everyday and statement jewellery.

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

ANP : During my junior year in high school there was a design competition for SIGG water bottles. The winning design would be printed on the bottles that were distributed to all the students at school. My submission was hand picked as the best design and it was amazing to see students carrying around the water bottles with my design on it. That kicked started my passion into pursuing design.

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

ANP : I design for myself while treating Mondselle customers as friends. I design products I genuinely believe in - pieces I would wear every day. A great designer would never design a piece they would never wear themselves. I put the interest of the client's first and foremost.I design jewellery pieces to reflect on the stories of each and every one of Mondselle’s customers. Most of the jewellery we own today comes with great sentimental value, either passed down from our grandparents to our parents or were gifts from our loved ones; every piece has its own special story behind it. I want to help others tell their stories and express themselves through the jewellery pieces they wear.

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

ANP : I would love to design a tiara or a crown one day for someone important.

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

ANP : It has certainly been a bumpy ride. From coming up with the brand name, designing the logo, to finding suppliers and goldsmiths to work with, it was all a one woman show ‒ of course, not without the advice and moral support of friends and family. I had to pave my own path because no one in my family is from an art or jewellery background. Also, starting a business from the ground up forced me to be disciplined. I needed to have self-control, time management, and energy to push myself to get out of my comfort zone. On the days I felt discouraged, I would remember why I even started all of this in the first place and that would motivate me again. The biggest challenge thus far has been dealing with people trying to copy my designs. There is so much time and effort involved in designing and creating a product and then finally getting the product out to the public. Unfortunately, there are people taking advantage of my creativity and work. On the bright side that only pushes me to stay one step ahead, and I am very thankful for all Mondselle customers for their continued support.

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

ANP : Historically South East Asia is associated with lower incomes than the western world, making the region known for producing commodities only and not for luxury goods. While they are displaying innovation and superb craftsmanship, many brands in SEA lacks visibility. I hope to see more recognition of talent in the SEA region.

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

ANP : One source of inspiration comes from my father because he started from nothing and became successful later in life. Having lost a father at the age of two, life everyday was a struggle for him. My dad would walk miles across the village every morning to go to school. That image of my dad drove me to work hard and to do my best at everything I do in life. I have always been a driven person, whether with my school work, assignments or my recreational projects such as painting ‒ nobody needed to tell me to do them, I generally wouldn't get up from my seat until I completed them. I loved to draw and paint since I was a kid and naturally I took to pursuing design.

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

ANP : I hope the future to be a happy and pleasant place for people to grow up in. I'd like to think of the future as an exciting place rather than all doom and gloom.