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Interview with Favie Chiu |
Home > Designer Interviews > Favie Chiu |
Editor Frank Scott (FS) from DesignPRWire has interviewed designer Favie Chiu (FC) for A’ Design Award and Competition. You can access the full profile of Favie Chiu 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?
FC: I studied Advertising for my undergrad. During college, I thoroughly enjoyed the film production course. After graduation, I assisted my friends in working on some music video projects. It became clear to me that graphic design played a significant role in film; regardless of the quality of editing, typography on screen could seamlessly integrate with the video and enhance the overall quality of the work. This realization prompted me to pursue a Master's degree in Graphic Design. By the time I completed my graduate studies, mobile app design had become immensely popular. I found the prospect of designing something practical for people's daily lives intriguing, as it could potentially simplify their lives. I've always had a passion for designing or creating things. In my youth, I even designed a T-shirt for my high school class.
FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
FC: I currently work as a visual designer on the Google Payments team, where I help people have delightful and seamless experiences making digital payments.
FS: What is "design" for you?
FC: Design is a visualization tool that helps people strengthen the connection between verbal ideas and emotions.
FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
FC: Anything in digital and animation, especially the design can help people improve their quality of life, or give people a positive impression.
FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
FC: Back in 2019, I had a chance to work with Ethera Creative, making an immersive experience for Diversified Technology. They wanted to showcase how Sony CLED screen and Analog way projector can integrate together for displaying products and films on screen. It was such a joyful experience working with Ethera Creative, and learning how to produce video for large screen displays.
FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
FC: I designed some facial tissue boxes for a company called Jingdin in Tainan, Taiwan.
FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
FC: My favorites are films, animations, analog photography, and typography.
FS: When do you feel the most creative?
FC: I am weird. When I feel sad, or under pressure. I have this instinct that tells me to solve the current situation. I obviously do not like to be in these situations. When I am sad, I like to write in my sketchbook, and draw. Mostly just expressing my feelings. It always starts with writing, like a diary, but after a while, it’ll become a story or an experimental typography piece with different shapes and curves.
FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
FC: Beauty, Expressiveness and User Experience
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
FC: Like I said, it’ll start with some negative emotions, like anxious, nervous, sad and mad. But after a while, I really enjoy the different design possibilities and combinations. I become excited, and want to find the best solution for the design I am working on.
FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
FC: I am an introverted person, I normally feel shy and nervous when my designs are realized, but deep in my heart I also feel excited.
FS: What makes a design successful?
FC: Having empathy for the users or viewers, and they can relate to the design piece.
FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
FC: The detail and the completeness. A good design pays attention to both macro and micro aspects, ensuring that every element is thoughtfully considered and executed.
FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
FC: Design is powerful; it can raise awareness of ideas and inspire action. Designers have a responsibility to consider the impact of their work on society and the environment, promoting sustainability, inclusivity, and ethical practices. By creating solutions that are visually compelling and socially and environmentally responsible, designers can contribute to positive change in the world.
FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
FC: The design field has evolved from producing well-crafted productional-based work to more conceptually creative ideas, especially when AI can help to do the production work. As AI becomes increasingly capable of handling production tasks, designers are freed from repetitive tasks and empowered to focus on higher-level creative thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. The future of design is one of boundless creativity, enabled by technology, and driven by a deep understanding of human needs and aspirations. Designers will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the world around us, creating experiences that enrich lives, foster connections, and drive positive change.
FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
FC: It was a group exhibition at the Chocolate and Art Show at SOMARTs. I am planning to show my work via Women in Design SF for the SF design week 2024.
FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
FC: My design inspiration primarily stems from my observations of life experiences. I constantly seek inspiration from the world around me, drawing from everyday encounters, interactions, and observations. Whether it's noticing a problem in my daily life or discovering a moment of beauty in the mundane, I am always on the lookout for opportunities to apply design thinking to improve situations or evoke emotions.
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?
FC: My design style can be described as playful and colorful, often incorporating elements of whimsy and double meaning with words. I am drawn to the challenge of finding the balance between sophistication and playfulness, as I believe it adds depth and intrigue to my work. I explore this style because I find joy and satisfaction in creating designs that spark curiosity and delight. I enjoy pushing the boundaries of traditional design conventions and injecting a sense of fun and levity into my work.
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?
FC: I was born and raised in Taiwan, and currently live in San Francisco. Taiwan's got this cool mix of cultures, like a blend of Japanese vibes, and that's definitely rubbed off on my design style. Taiwanese designers are super creative, but the downside is that companies there don't always give design the props it deserves, which can affect how much we earn.
FS: How do you work with companies?
FC: I start by understanding their needs, then I propose a plan with a price. They can adjust it as needed before we finalize the details.
FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
FC: I’d say, to work with a designer, find someone whose style you like and trust their skills. Look for a designer with a clear process and a portfolio that matches your brand. And, giving them freedom to make good designs.
FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
FC: I always begin with research, analyzing competitors or similar concepts, and defining the moodboard before designing. Once the draft design's look and feel are established, I consult with friends or potential users to gain insights and make adjustments based on their suggestions.
FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
FC: IKEA Kallax shelf, Silver feet vase, LED Corner Floor Lamp, NUNA Stroller, AWAY luggage.
FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
FC: As a new mom, my day is all about my kiddo. I spend most of my day taking care of my daughter, and I have some free time after she goes to sleep at night. This is the time when I am doing some work and looking for some improvement for my home.
FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
FC: Explore more possibilities, be kind, and make more connections. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. Because these mistakes can help you learn and grow.
FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
FC: From where I stand, being a designer has its ups and downs. On the bright side, it's super satisfying creatively; you get to leave your mark, and there's always something new to learn. But sometimes, it's tough to let go of your designs, dealing with the gap between what you dream up and what's actually doable, and handling the stress of deadlines. Still, it's satisfying to nail a design and showcase your unique style.
FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
FC: Define the clear strategy that fits the objective.
FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
FC: The most important skills for a designer include actively listening to your audience, client, and users. Understanding their needs, preferences, and feedback is crucial for creating designs that effectively communicate messages and solve problems.
FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
FC: I use Figma the most these days, and also Adobe CC. Some AI apps can be powerful when making design pixel-perfect. I have the book Symbol* by Steven Bateman which is always my favorite to look at when seeking for design inspiration.
FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
FC: I manage my time effectively by setting the goal of completing the design 1-2 days before the deadline. This allows me to have a holistic view of the piece before diving into the details. By giving myself this buffer, I can refine and perfect the design without feeling rushed, ensuring a high-quality end result.
FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
FC: The time it takes to design an object from beginning to end varies depending on the scope of the design task and whether the brand is pre-existing. Typically, for smaller projects like a book, catalog design, or a website with all the contents and brand elements readily available, it can take between 2 weeks to 1 month to complete. However, larger and more complex projects may require more time for thorough research, conceptualization, and execution.
FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
FC: What is it like to work at a large tech company?
FS: What was your most important job experience?
FC: Working at Ethera Creative, the design studio. I learned a lot and knew what I would like to be as a designer.
FS: Who are some of your clients?
FC: I had some small local businesses as client before.
FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
FC: Motion Graphics. I love to fine-tune the pacing and transform shapes into the next frame. Super fun and addictive. I enjoy motion graphics the most.
FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
FC: My next goal is to work on projects focused on mitigating roadkill incidents involving animals. I'm passionate about finding solutions to prevent these accidents and improve safety for wildlife. It's an area where design can make a tangible impact on the environment and animal welfare, and I'm eager to contribute my skills to such meaningful initiatives.
FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
FC: It depends, but I like to work as a team more than making designs myself.
FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
FC: I am working on a social channel which has a wide range of selections, including collective toys, home deco, and handmade art pieces with my design friends who also love to share what they love to elevate the quality of daily life called “+mood”. It was a joyful experience working on the visual identity for our channel. We shared our creative design ideas and found the suitable name, icon for it. We started with finding the common traits between 3 of us, and deep dived into these traits, meanwhile, we also discussed what we loved to share with the audience, to have a better sense of what the channel identity should be to represent these selections and us.
FS: How can people contact you?
FC: www.faviechiu.com
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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