We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Grow'n Up R&D Team Wally Sze, King Yuen, Stimson Chow, Samuel Lee ("GURTWSKYSCSL").
Grow'n Up R&D Team Wally Sze, King Yuen, Stimson Chow, Samuel Lee is an award-winning designer that helps make the World a better place with their original and innovative creations and advanced design works.
Grow'n Up R&D Team Wally Sze, King Yuen, Stimson Chow, Samuel Lee Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Grow'n Up R&D Team Wally Sze, King Yuen, Stimson Chow, Samuel Lee.
Designer Interview of Grow'n Up R&D Team Wally Sze, King Yuen, Stimson Chow, Samuel Lee:
DI: 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?
GURTWSKYSCSL : I remember my earliest childhood was drawing and making. It was not until university though, that i decided to specialize in design.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Grow’n Up is a globally integrated toy company that encompassing original design, development, manufacturing and sales of internationally recognized branded toys, in various categories of preschool activities, indoor and outdoor bulk role-play, swing sets, water/sand tables, outdoor storage, kids’ furniture, picnic table & wheeled toys.
DI: What is "design" for you?
GURTWSKYSCSL : I believe the world will always need better design.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
GURTWSKYSCSL : I like to design something that I haven’t designed before.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
GURTWSKYSCSL : There are too many great designs in the world, but it is hard to find anything that I like most. There’s always room for improvement in these designs.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
GURTWSKYSCSL : An analog watch
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Every material has its own strength and I think it is good to make use of it. It is the same when it applies to any platform or technology.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Inspiration can come at anytime, but I like to work at mid night.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Interaction design, user experience, user-centered, sustainability, manufacturability, cost are all important factors
DI: What makes a design successful?
GURTWSKYSCSL : A successful design is when all my problem solved.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
GURTWSKYSCSL : It should shows a great improvement and difference comparing with others.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
GURTWSKYSCSL : everything that we design must give positive influence and effect to the society . When it comes to the environment, designer should always take sustainability and eco-friendly into account when working on their designs.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Design field will keep evolving with technology and human cultures.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
GURTWSKYSCSL : One of my design is exhibited at the Trend Gallery at Nuremberg Fair early this year.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
GURTWSKYSCSL : My inspirations can be from everywhere – by observing behavior of people, kids and other people's work.
DI: 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?
GURTWSKYSCSL : The style should please everyone especially children.
DI: 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?
GURTWSKYSCSL : I am currently living in Hong Kong. I don’t think my design is affected by the cultural heritage. The most importance is whether you have the exposure to different people, different design and different culture in the world.
DI: How do you work with companies?
GURTWSKYSCSL : I am working as an in-house designer
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Trust. A good designer who must love design, have strong belief in his/her designs.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Design brief->research->brainstorm->concept->feedback from different parties ->prototype->testing->engineering drawing->final design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
GURTWSKYSCSL : 1) My DIY decorative screen 2) My DIY ceiling lamp 3) My Bruce Lee sculpture 4) An antique wooden stool which is older than me 5) My DIY wall mounted lego collection
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Eating-> thinking-> researching-> eating-> creating-> designing-> eating-> observing-> resting.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
GURTWSKYSCSL : be passionate about it
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Designing itself is a joyful thing. the process make you learn a lot about people, economy, society & culture. I haven't found any negatives yet.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Design for need.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Being Considerate
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Wacom-intuos, Photoshop, Pro/ENGINEER, Memories, internet, things around me.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
GURTWSKYSCSL : When you love design, you will give as much time as possible.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
GURTWSKYSCSL : As short as 1 minutes or as long as a century.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Will it be better?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
GURTWSKYSCSL : All experience at work are important.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Toys”r”Us, Walmart, Kmart, etc.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
GURTWSKYSCSL : The whole design process which is enjoyable to me is essential of making good design.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
GURTWSKYSCSL : learning how to become a better designer
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
GURTWSKYSCSL : Yes, I often work as a team in office.
DI: How can people contact you?
GURTWSKYSCSL : I can be contacted through Grow'n up