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Interview with Teong Yan Ni |
Home > Designer Interviews > Teong Yan Ni |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Teong Yan Ni (TYN) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Teong Yan Ni by clicking here.
FS: Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
TYN: At high school I have taken Art stream. But in university my major was in Marketing. After some years of working in pursued Pearls and Jewelry Design in 2015 from Gemological Institute of America and Jewelry Manufacturing Art in 2016 locally. Becoming jewelry designer wasn’t in my mind until I started with hobby taking up pearl beading class 7 years ago. I eventually felt in love in pearl at first and I have this dream to become a designer. I always see myself can be more fulfilled other than working in a corporate world. So, I left my job and pursued further study in this field.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TYN: My design studio is like a lifestyle gallery. It consists of ground section whereby my gallery and pantry. And upper Mezzanine floor is my working and personal/think-tank room. I have taken sky blue as my feature color because blue create peaceful mood.
FS: What is "design" for you?
TYN: Design is about emotional art of expression. It is so unique, unable to duplicate the moments, thus idea is very natural and origin, no right or wrong in designing, is all about design elements.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TYN: I like to design necklace, pendant and earrings
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TYN: Other than Blue Daisy, I have another collection called Hot Spring. Because that piece is very much emotional attached. As I like to go hotspring, one day, wind was strong, small flowers dropped from trees on the hotspring water. That moment my idea was triggered.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TYN: I designed Chinese Constellation (Horoscope) which consisted 9 types of different pendants as first thing I designed for company.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TYN: I like to work with silver, pearls and color-stones
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
TYN: When I am at outdoor or visiting nature places
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TYN: I focus on main concept first, combination of stones, color, shapes and practicality
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TYN: Mixture, normally start with a lot of imagination, curious and anticipating the results
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TYN: Very excited and at the same time quickly apply quality control
FS: What makes a design successful?
TYN: Design is rather subjective some people like, some people may not. But overall design looks harmonious and stand out of what it represents.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TYN: The way I evaluate good design is there is no right or wrong in design. Is all about design elements.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TYN: Responsibilities of designers are ability to express or present their design and respect another designer’s work.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TYN: Design field is evolving to computer aided and Virtual Reality, however, I still think original design is the best, from your own idea and traditional way creates more emotion and personal touch. It will be heading towards statement designs, like personalize jewelries or something.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
TYN: I would like to exhibit it in Asia, like Hong Kong, US like New York, Europe like London.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TYN: I mainly inspired by nature, phenomenon and their surroundings. Such as flora, garden, natural phenomena. I like to go to art gallery or simple outdoor activity like water fall, hot spring to feed my creativity.
FS: How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
TYN: My designs style is feminine, prefer combinations of stones opaque and faceted stones. I like to explore this style because opaque stones have its charm but because opaque stone doesn’t produce the reflection of like that much, I complement it with faceted stones. I like opaque stone because of its matte feel and natural surface.
FS: Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
TYN: I live in Malaysia, a multi-cultural country. It does affect a little if you plan to sell your design. As whom do you target, what do they like. But if you are designing for your own showcase or accordance to your personal style, no, it is not affecting.
FS: How do you work with companies?
TYN: I work with companies by presenting my profile, discussion on the terms or contract. Further discussion and sketches will be performed. Modification apply and final for confirmation.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TYN: My suggestion for companies to work with designers are trust, understanding designer’s style, and giving ample of time because good thing needs time.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TYN: My design process starts with inspiration, idea, research, sketches, modification, mood board, prototype if necessary and repeat.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TYN: Blue Daisy ring, Hot Spring pendant, Cherry Blossom earrings, Warna Gemilang of Malaysia pendant and Frozen Rose Droplet earrings.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
TYN: After breakfast, 10am go to studio, check emails, start sketching or continue previous drawing until end of the day if not appointment. Home at 7pm dinner and rest. However, at peak time, home at 10pm or 12am.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TYN: My pearls of wisdom to young designers are remember your dream, work hard with your heart on it and never give up.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TYN: The positive part being a designer is you will achieve high satisfaction and fulfillment, but it takes a long time to get there. Need a lot of patient and perseverance.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
TYN: Golden rule of design is “Be Yourself”.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
TYN: Communication skill is very important because we carry ourself and deal with people every day. Technical knowledge is part of the important skills to designer other than creativity skills. It complements highly what you design can be practically realize.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TYN: Some tools that I am using during design are sketch book, drawing tools, coloring tools, coloring therapy books, ancient jewelry books, design skill help book and more.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TYN: Managing time is the most challenging for me. I will apply prioritization and planning. Prioritize your task, work on what you have planned and be discipline.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TYN: 1 – 3 months
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
TYN: Most frequent question people asked, “How did you come out with this design?”
FS: What was your most important job experience?
TYN: My most important job experience will be when dealing with manufacturing team, effective communication is highly important.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
TYN: Few business to business clients and few business to consumer clients
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TYN: In the process of designing, I enjoyed most if I have the stones with me, I can work around, helps a lot my imagination. Because it expands my normal routine and is much more exciting than staying indoor.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TYN: My future is to continue to develop more new designs in time to come and continue to participate in competition.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TYN: I develop the design myself but for manufacturing I work with expert team
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TYN: My next project will be a collection with Amethyst and Pearls.
FS: How can people contact you?
TYN: Website: www.juwelendesign.com, Instagram: www.instagram.com/ivyteong123 www.instagram.com/juwelen_design/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ivy.teong.31 www.facebook.com/juwelendesignmalaysia/
FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.
A’ Design Award and Competitions grants rights to press members and bloggers to use parts of this interview. This interview is provided as it is; DesignPRWire and A' Design Award and Competitions cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.
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