Camille Chung

LEGENDARY INTERVIEW

Design Legends ("DL") had the distinct honour to interview legendary designer Camille Chung ("CC") 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?

CC : I was educated in Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan, it was top 3 of interior architecture in academic schools in Taiwan. After graduated from school then ever since I have been working in interior design industry. Thanks to my first design firm Mandartrch to having me participating in W hotels Taipei project, I later had the chance to work for one of the most well known design firm The Ga Group, specialized in hospitality design. The head quarter is London, I joined the training program in Budapest office then working in Shanghai office for 3years collaborating with Kuala Lumpur office. There I had the most exciting and diversified experiences to work with all different kinds of professionals.

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

CC : To resolve problems and ease the stress of living. Most importantly to make our lives more beautiful more pleasant.

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

CC : Since I was little, I always know I’m interested in arts and music, later choosing to be an interior designer was meeting the joints of living and earning due to our traditionally thinking : art can’t make you live. However it was proven wrong nowadays. Art it is living.

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

CC : From residential to hospitality. I would like to do more boutique hotels or resorts in the coming future.

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

CC : Never stop learning and be observant.

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

CC : A good designer can achieve what client wants, a great designer can provide more valuable design than what client's expectation.

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

CC : In my opinion, to make an excellence design, it means transcending people's expectation and providing value to it, in terms of the usage, the popularity, the actual market price, and additional to it, the fame. Some incredible design, people don't see its value at then but over time it could have been through its test and beyond measurement.

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

CC : It can be actual money that adding the value to it, the fame, or the timeless test. A good design usually means it has been through dedicated working input and production with quality. It can be increasing value along with time passing, or simply it is long lasting so you won't need to invest more to replace it.

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

CC : I would design and create everything for my little kid, anything from he's own imagination.

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

CC : Building a tree house with spiral slide for my little kid.

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

CC : I don't have secret method, I guess it's like everyone else, learn from the mistake and remember the good examples or models and to make it better.

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

CC : The Ga Group - Terry McGinnity. I have had the honor working with him on W Taipei and W Shanghai. He's methodology and philosophy of design, his working attitude toward people and client, his wisdom are all a living life example, he's a master of design that you can learn and get inspired from. I remember one time the client wants him to produce another version of basin to cost down after whole day 12hours meeting and workshop on site, everyone is tired, he's also tackling jet-lag.., he still patiently draw on sketch paper 1 to 1 and make a immediate solution for the client.

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

CC : I have many admirable design gurus in the lists. Except for the well knowns or Terry McGinnity, another example is female interior designer Kelly Wearstler. Her projects and what she creates, the whole brand is a success and an ideal model for what I would presue for sucess.

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

CC : One of my own project, I like the bar/ open kitchen counter that I designed for my client. Ideally it can be designed better if we could have integrated induction heating and controlling system directly on the Ceasar stone counter top, I believe Boffi has achieved that concept.

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

CC : Be open minded to embrace the opportunities of learning new things and grow skills. Don’t be afraid of making mistake but learn from it. Be insightful. You can only be a better designer through observation in living.

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

CC : I probably would be a writer or novelist.

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

CC : Design is to resolve problems and ease the stress of living. Most importantly to make our lives more beautiful more pleasant.

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

CC : My family, as they allow me to do what I want to do.

DL: What helped you to become a great designer?

CC : Working with great designers and consultants. You get inspired from them and learn from them.

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

CC : People, the most tricky part to deal with. Communication is an art, even if you are a great designer, you still need to deal with people.

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

CC : I think it's necessary. Only the designers know their own work better. Never the less, sometimes a well made video can explain it all.

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

CC : No comments on this! Hopefully you see my work soon!

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

CC : Let AI do all the tiring work...! Truthfully, I wish myself can be influencing the industry in Taiwan to make some changes, follow international standard, let the professionals do the work! be grateful and respect our planet.

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

CC : People all want to see something different and feel wow!

DL: How does design help create a better society?

CC : Remove the unnecessary, make things more efficient and simple. Live with beautiful things that make people happy.

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

CC : I have a project in a new high-rise residential building, it is under construction, it will be quite a land mark to the city.

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

CC : The Circadian Home. From initial design to completion, my client trusted me and allowed my to fulfill hundred percent of the design that I proposed to him. Also, he selected me over another company.

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

CC : I hope with AI technology, work can be done more efficiently and safely from designing phase to constructional phase and the end of the project.

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

CC : No doubt will be more and more integrated AI technology from wearable to living builds.

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

CC : It will depend on the scale, complex of the project and the client. Can few weeks to months.

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

CC : Do some research about it and case study first.

DL: What is your life motto as a designer?

CC : Simplisity is not being simple .

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

CC : It can actually be both. However I believe a great designer can set the trend.

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

CC : It should be user friendly and providing value to my designed items or projects.

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

CC : Autocad. Adobe creative suite. Sketch-up. iPad and mac.

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

CC : They are all crucial. After all we are living in it.

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

CC : How did you make it so beautiful?

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

CC : If it's something I like, I would try to integrate it into my design projects or use it in my projects.

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

CC : My ideal working partner would be always keep communication open and understand each other. I think there's always a lead of a project so to move further but it can be co-designed.

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

CC : As previously stated, Terry McGinnity. He's hand sketches are incredible and iconic.

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

CC : Architectural books. eg. The Natural House by Frank Lloyd Wright. I think natural elements are important to our living and my design.

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

CC : Try to keep up with current technology and polish the skills that you have had.

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

CC : Job Steves, is he happy with current Apple? What should be the trend for the next 5-10 years of products.

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

CC : It's my first award about design, and I don't see it comes easy!

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

CC : Black and White. I like snowing fields and beaches, therefore I like winter and sunny but not too hot. I love wine and I appreciate Capella Hotels & Resorts.

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

CC : Long time ago, when specifying toilet, first time I see westerner designers didn't know what's washlet, they found it bizarre, I guess it's like some Asian first time visiting Europe see bidets.

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

CC : Receiving compliments from my client, and to learn that they are happy with my design, and of course, get billed.

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

CC : I always dreamed bout I will be some sort of artists. I did not know designer is the option.

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

CC : I think either the world will be back to handcrafting or all automatic and computerised. Everything must be reversed.

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

CC : I have a beautiful boy, if anyone in the future sees him will also support him.