Louis Yiu

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Louis Yiu ("LY") 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?

LY : I have been fond of fantasy and drawing since i was a child. When i was in middle school at HK, i met by chance and read a design book. This is how i became interested and start in design. I later took different design courses and self-taught to become a designer.

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

LY : When encountering interesting things or projects.

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

LY : I choose to be a designer.

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

LY : I mainly engage in commercial graphic design, and now i hope to design more VIS and packaging design.

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

LY : I think it's important to keep a warm and open heart.

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

LY : My interpretation is that good designers can produce great works, while great designers can not only produce good works but also influence the industry and future generations.

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

LY : Good design should be easy to understand, innovative, beautiful, honest, durable, environmentally friendly, and involve as little design as possible.

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

LY : The most successful companies know that great design pays back more than it costs. this is good design the value. Numerous studies over the years have shown that design-led companies enjoy greater turnover and greater profits than those which don’t place an emphasis on design. this is the reason everyone should be invest in good design.

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

LY : I will design my home.

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

LY : There are many projects that I really want to do, but my dream projects is to design a CIS for a zoo.

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

LY : I want to be open to new things and a sense of humor is a factor.

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

LY : I thnk there are three important masters who have always influenced me, 1. Paul Rand, 2. Neville Brody, 3. Tanaka Ikko.

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

LY : My favorite design is Philippe Starck's Juicy Salif Citrus-Squeezer, I always thought this design was great and eye-catching, so i chose it.

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

LY : I once designed a smart convenience card for a small place. This card has been used by more than one million citizens and has been used for more than ten years. it can create a collective memory.

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

LY : I always keep the idea of giving and receiving new things.

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

LY : I've been thinking about this question but haven't found an answer.

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

LY : Design is a method of solving problems, whether it is optimizing the thinking process or integrating various resources to complete the purpose. For me, design is a skill, a method and an attitude.

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

LY : I think every person and thing i encounter at different stages, study periods and work is more or less helpful.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

LY : I think it's because i really like the sense of success that design brings me.

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

LY : Not enough money in life.

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

LY : Nowadays, there are many different social media outlets to showcase their work.

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

LY : My next project is a canned drink packaging design. It will be an interesting design.

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

LY : I hope can become a great designer.

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

LY : I'm not sure about this, I'll have to ask them. Ha Ha!

DL: How does design help create a better society?

LY : Because there are various problems in society, design is to deal with different problems with empathy. Whether the problem comes from individuals, companies or society, through segmentation, establishment and creation, some problems will be solved to a certain extent. Make society a better place.

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

LY : Currently i have a packaging design project for canned drinks. I was very excited when i accepted this project.

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

LY : Looking back at some of my past works that satisfied me, I still feel dissatisfied. I think the most satisfying design projects will come in the future.

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

LY : The rapid development of AI, I believe that there will be a big change in a very short time, just like the history of design has changed from not having computers to every designer only using computer to design.

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

LY : I think the future development of science and technology will be based on improving the convenience of human life and improving the quality of life, making human life more and more convenient. Everything can be done in an instant, making work efficiency infinite. Design field just keep moving towards these goals.

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

LY : Depends on the complexity of the design project. The longest period was nearly a year.

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

LY : I believe that from start with research.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

LY : Understand design and understand life better.

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

LY : I think the two are pulling each other. Design can lead the trend, or it can followthe trend and determine the design.

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

LY : Technology can bring greater convenience and efficiency to the design process.

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

LY : Maining is Illustrator and photoshop.

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

LY : I think these elements can also improve the quality of the design.

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

LY : I hope to ask the questions that i haven't thought about.

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

LY : I'm so complimentary. It's so inspiring. How did the designer come up with the idea?

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

LY : I believe in co-design, but I also enjoy the solitude in design, so I can't think of anyone who is my design partner for this moment.

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

LY : It must be the design teacher who taught me in the past and my supervisor at work.

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

LY : Graphic Annual, Communication Arts Annual, idea magazine, print magazine.

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

LY : Continuously receive new knowledge and learn.

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

LY : For me, the meaning of winning the award is not to become famous, but to have my design recognized by the industry, to remind myself that I have not regressed, and to give myself confidence, just like the feeling of getting a report card. But then because I won many awards, people started to recognize me.

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

LY : My favorite color is black, white and grey, Japan, Eggs cooked any way, Autumn, Rolex

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

LY : With my family together, becuase normal work time takes up too much, i'm really happy to be able to accompany them one day.

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

LY : I only knew I would become a designer, but didn't think about what kind of designer I wanted to be.

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

LY : Who know. Ha Ha!

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

LY : The works speak for themselves.