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Interview with Dominic Chan |
Home > Designer Interviews > Dominic Chan |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Dominic Chan (DC) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Dominic Chan 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?
DC: I was born in Hong Kong but raised in New Zealand. Therefore I had a chance to live in the multi-cultural life style where the east met the west experience. Drawing and model-making are my favorite hobbies in my young days. I am always fascinated by the Chinese water painting in similarity with the Impressionism art movement. In addition the Maori arts inspire me a great deal added to my artistic background. I had a Master Degree MA in Design and my interest in architecture and art ensured me to be a designer up till today.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
DC: Design Morphology is a group of passionate architects and designers whose vision is to create, inspire and build by innovation for a sustainable future.
FS: What is "design" for you?
DC: Design covers a wide scope of objectives. It consists of beauty, function and quality. Sustainability is key to a good design.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
DC: I love designing bar and restaurant. The space provides people comfort and joy while dwelling within. I particularly enjoy creating a space with different layers and zones. It is like an exciting story to tell and I would love to have my audience to be enthused.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
DC: The Barcelona Pavilion by Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe is one of my favorite design. I am inspired by the simplicity and sleek of the design but yet each surface element is deconstructed by the fine selection of material texture and pattern.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
DC: A VIP lounge
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
DC: Different type of marbles, feature glass panels, wall coverings, timber, metal and paint are all my favorite material. I like to be playful and combine of using material for contrast and texture.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
DC: I feel the most creative when I am surrounding with a group of enthused designers doing brain storming session with different kind of beautiful building material to play with.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
DC: Space planning is especially important for starting a design. It requires carefully planning out the function and the flow of the space. It is like adding the soul to the design and the rest of the elements will follow into places.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
DC: I enjoy designing and the process of doing it. This is the same on doing drawings during my younger days. The focus on improving is important and I feel the urge to give the best out of what I am doing.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
DC: A simple joy! The realization of the design is well received by the user is delightful.
FS: What makes a design successful?
DC: A timeless design is successful.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
DC: Beauty, function and quality are the key aspects while judging on a design. Less either one will surely downgrade the result.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
DC: Sustainability and be responsible to the environment.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
DC: To be cost effective, flexible and sustainable
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?
DC: Warmth, comfort, caring, reassuring, thoughtfulness are the terminologies in mind when developing design solutions for the client. My approach also promotes fashion impact. It is about the use of color, dye, tint and hue. The precise use of pattern and texture combination is the basis of his design style of creating a glamorously artistic environment.
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?
DC: Hong Kong and New Zealand. Both heritages completed my design philosophy where the east met the west, this is an advantage of apply a design in fusion approach that suit all.
FS: How do you work with companies?
DC: Good communication and collaboration.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
DC: Planning, problem solving, implementation and execution.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
DC: To be patient, constantly seeking improvement and self-critic.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
DC: To seek the core problem and improve in an artistic way.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
DC: The ability to communicate and to solve problem in an artistic way.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
DC: Hand sketches, AutoCAD, Sketchup, Photoshop, PowerPoint
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
DC: Designing is a life time commitment. In order to achieve a good result, a carefully time management required.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
DC: 3-6 months.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
DC: Cost.
FS: What was your most important job experience?
DC: The most important job experience is designing for well establish brands.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
DC: F&B and corporate clients
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
DC: I enjoy all type of design work. A designer is a person who provide constant problem solving in an artistic way.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
DC: I will keep up with the good design work!
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
DC: Teamwork is important and add flair to the design. However, this requires well design management not to deviate from the established course.
FS: How can people contact you?
DC: dchan@morphology.design
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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