Designer Interview

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Interview with Chang Hee Lee at Wednesday 26th of March 2014

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?
CHL: It's a complicated question.

FS: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CHL: I am currently working individual. (I don't like the term freelancer)

FS: What is "design" for you?
CHL: Design is my habit.

FS: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CHL: I like to build any objects that I intend to.

FS: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CHL: They all are my favorites as they all possess my perspective

FS: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CHL: A very silly looking stool, can't even imagine how hilarious it was.

FS: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CHL: I love all the materials because I could smell their different characters
I love all the platforms because they all give different tastes of insight.
I love all the technologies because technology can be about everything.


FS: When do you feel the most creative?
CHL: Everyday.

FS: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CHL: Everything.

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CHL: I feel everything.

FS: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CHL: The moment when I finish my design is the moment when I get bored to that design.

FS: What makes a design successful?
CHL: [no comment]

FS: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CHL: Depth of design practice, but the concept of depth can be absolutely broad. This question is hard to answer. And I don't answer to hard question.

FS: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CHL: Very important question. I'll talk this more later.

FS: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CHL: I'll talk this later with the previous question as it needs time to think.

FS: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
CHL: It was last (2013) November at former BBC Headquarter. I would like to hold my next exhibition anytime except Jan 2015 as I already penciled one exhibition at Manchester.

FS: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CHL: I just enjoy my everyday life and I think that is the best way to feed our 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?
CHL: I do not prefer to describe or explain my style or way I make things. My objects will talk better than me.

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?
CHL: [No comment]

FS: How do you work with companies?
CHL: [No comment]

FS: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
CHL: Very easy. A company should first understand what they are up to. Most of companies do not understand what they are up to.

FS: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CHL: I make lots of prototype. I mean lots!

FS: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CHL: Bowl, Bed, Toilet, Mirror etc.

FS: Can you describe a day in your life?
CHL: [No comment]

FS: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
CHL: Copy others work as much as possible and one day you will find out who you are.

FS: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CHL: [No comment]

FS: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CHL: Every rule has an exception.

FS: What skills are most important for a designer?
CHL: Everything is important

FS: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
CHL: [No comment]

FS: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CHL: I just do my best.

FS: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CHL: It depends what kind object it is.

FS: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CHL: What is design for you.. And I don't quite enjoy answering this type of questions.

FS: What was your most important job experience?
CHL: [No comment]

FS: Who are some of your clients?
CHL: [No comment]

FS: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CHL: [No comment]

FS: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CHL: I will keep focus and build my next creation.

FS: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CHL: I normally work alone, but I don't mind as a team.

FS: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
CHL: Top secret haha

FS: How can people contact you?
CHL: www.changheelee.com

FS: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
CHL: Thank you for the interview you are so kind.

FS: Thank you for providing us with this opportunity to interview you.

A' Design Award & Competition 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 & Competition cannot be held responsible for the answers given by participating designers.