Chung Ping-Lun

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Chung Ping-Lun ("CP") 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?

CP : I majored in Industrial Design in university and, after graduation, founded Medium2 Studio with my college classmate Fang Yu Chen. We have been working in the design industry for nearly ten years, continuously learning and growing.

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

CP : The joy of seeing my designs come to life motivates me to be a designer. The process involves communicating and collaborating with many people, requiring both persuasion and compromise. This joyful journey led me to choose this profession.

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

CP : I chose to become a designer right after graduating from high school.

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

CP : We primarily design furniture and home decor. In the future, we hope to design a wider variety of items.

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

CP : Young designers should continuously learn and accumulate experience, maintain passion and curiosity for design, and dare to challenge traditional thinking while innovating.

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

CP : A good designer possesses solid skills and aesthetics, while a great designer not only has these qualities but also leads trends and creates works with profound impact.

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

CP : A good design finds a balance between functionality, aesthetics, and innovation. I evaluate good design by checking if it solves practical problems, is visually pleasing, and has uniqueness and innovation.

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

CP : Good design enhances the user experience and brings aesthetic enjoyment and emotional resonance. Investing in good design is a way to improve quality of life and respect creativity.

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

CP : If I had the time, I would design a complete set of furniture and use them at home with my family.

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

CP : Any project that positively impacts a space is our dream project, and we hope to encounter and complete these opportunities in the future.

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

CP : My secret recipe for success is continuous learning and trying new things while focusing on details and user experience. Empathy and an open mind are my secret ingredients.

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

CP : The wonders of nature inspire us.

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

CP : Nature's creations are ours favorites because they often find a perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics.

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

CP : Pinch Chair is one of our favorite designs. It pays tribute to traditional plastic stacking chairs with an innovative reinterpretation.

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

CP : Continuous learning and practice are key to improving design skills. We enhance ourselves through constant project practice and interaction with others.

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

CP : It's hard to imagine. If I hadn't become a designer, I would probably feel something was missing.

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

CP : Artistic creation under constraints to achieve specific goals is design.

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

CP : The people who use our designed products have always been our biggest supporters, providing us with endless support and encouragement.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CP : Continuous learning and practice, along with a love and persistence for design, have helped me become a designer. We are still on this journey.

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

CP : We are still on this journey and have faced many challenges, such as limited resources and market acceptance, but these have motivated us to continuously break through ourselves.

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

CP : Designers should present their work through professional platforms and social media, with detailed design explanations and background stories.

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

CP : Due to business confidentiality agreements, we can only say: stay tuned.

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

CP : Our ultimate goal is to create products through design that can improve people's quality of life.

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

CP : People expect me to continuously introduce innovative and practical designs, bringing more surprises and inspiration.

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CP : Design helps create a better society by solving social problems and improving the quality of life. Good design can bring convenience, beauty, and happiness.

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

CP : Due to business confidentiality agreements, we can only say: stay tuned.

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

CP : Any design that people can actually use brings us the most satisfaction because this joy is what we pursue as designers.

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

CP : I hope the design industry will pay more attention to sustainable development and eco-friendly design while fostering more diversity and cross-industry collaboration.

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

CP : I think the design field is headed towards intelligent and personalized design, using technology to enhance interactivity and user experience.

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

CP : The time to finalize a design project varies depending on its complexity, generally ranging from several months to a year.

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

CP : I usually start with market research and user needs analysis, then proceed to concept design and sketching.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CP : Explore the intersection between creativity & practicality.

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

CP : I think it's a mutual relationship. Design and trends influence each other; excellent design can set trends, and trends can inspire design.

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

CP : Technology plays a crucial role in design. It not only improves design efficiency but also brings more possibilities and innovation.

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

CP : We use various design software like Rhino, KeyShot, and Gravity Sketch. I also use 3D printers and CNC machines to make models and prototypes.

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

CP : Color, materials, and ambient are indispensable elements in design. They directly impact the aesthetic and user experience of the product.

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

CP : We hope people simply enjoy our designs without needing too much explanation.

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

CP : I want to understand its design process and the ideas behind it while thinking about how to draw inspiration from it.

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

CP : My ideal design partners are creative and willing to collaborate. I believe in co-design as it can bring more inspiration and better results.

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

CP : Interactions with clients, users, and other designers have the most influence on my design. Their feedback and suggestions help me constantly improve and enhance my work.

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

CP : The wonders of nature are like a thick book to me.

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

CP : We are still on the journey, constantly learning and practicing, and participating in various design projects to continuously improve our skills.

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

CP : The users who have used our products.

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

CP : I feel very honored and grateful for all the awards and recognition. We are still on the journey, requiring continuous effort and persistence.

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

CP : Our favorite items might be the prototypes made during the design process.

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

CP : Every time a concept becomes a tangible reality, it's the most interesting thing.

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

CP : Seeing my designs recognized and used brings me immense satisfaction. I motivate myself by constantly learning new knowledge and interacting with others.

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

CP : From a young age, I loved drawing and observing various shapes. My family and friends believed I would achieve something in the creative field.

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

CP : I hope the Earth and humanity will still exist. If not, I hope some evidence of human existence will be preserved somewhere, and I think that evidence might be something designed by a designer.

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

CP : Understand that our design philosophy is to combine aesthetics with practicality, improving people's living experiences through design.