We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Amos Goh ("AG").
Amos is a multi-disciplined, passionate designer based in Singapore. He approaches design based on human-centric and sustainable principles. Amos attained his Master of Science in Advanced Product Design from Cardiff School of Art and Design (CMET), a school with a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and product end-of-life cycle design. With more than 10 years of experience designing manufactured furniture, he has led the creative direction for a few franchise furniture brand with retail presence across Asia.
Amos Goh Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Amos Goh.
Amos Goh Design - Passerine Chair
Designer Interview of Amos Goh:
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?
AG : Ever since I was a young boy, the pencil was my creative outlet. I was the "artist" in class and I liked that idea. Industrial design was not my aspiration but it grew on me as I learnt more about it. It taught me to be curious, resourceful and resilient. Tough as it may be for me, I would take the same path even if I could turn back the hands of time.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
AG : I Co-founded studio Bulbul with my partner Shin Hyang Eim in 2021. Bulbul birds evoke a calming memory amongst many people living in Singapore and its neighbours in South-East Asia. A songbird prized for its beauty and chimes. There was once a simpler time when parks were filled with bird watchers and collectors. Unfortunately, some species were driven close to extinction. The brand uses Bulbul's endearing relationship with people as a representation and a reflection of its ethos. Bulbul was established amid the Covid pandemic and is driven by a passion for a sustainable and progressive way of life. The 2 founding members are accomplished product designers with more than 10 years working on product and industrial designs. The like-minded pair took their post-graduate degree studies in subjects of design with an emphasis on sustainability research.
DI: What is "design" for you?
AG : Design to me is to reshape, to nuance, to rethink, to solve, to better, to delight, to experience, to reconcile, to be human, to preserve and the list goes on... It is the intention put into creation.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
AG : I like to design objects that trigger a sense of need and desire to people.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
AG : Right now, it has to be "Jenny" by the Ocean Cleanup. These giant machines are cleaning up the pacific vortex garbage patch in the sea.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
AG : It was a Bedside Table that won an award in IFFF.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
AG : Stainless steel, metal deep drawing.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
AG : A professor of mine, Gareth Loudon, taught me that the most creative state is when relaxed and focused at the same time. And from my personal experience, I think he is right.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
AG : A balancing act between form, feasability, desirability, affordability and function.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
AG : Excitement.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
AG : Intense excitement.
DI: What makes a design successful?
AG : It does not have to be iconic or well-known, but the intended audience has to have a positive reception to it. The customer knows best for product and industrial design! (Most of the time.)
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
AG : the experience of using it.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
AG : Paramount! The environmental impact of the product starts with the designer and this is why I feel that we should use our actions and our influence to shape the products we design. At all levels of the designer's career, be it junior or C suite designers, be can make positive change. And it is getting easier to have this conversation now compared to even 5 years ago.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
AG : It is no different from what other fields are experiencing. It is ever-changing and we cannot drop the ball. We have to constantly adapt or we will be obsolete. But the future of design, in general, is moving in a positive trajectory. I see artificial intelligence that can iterate shape and form, that can generate art from reference. AI could be a tool that informs our design decisions or they could straight out replace designers. But I am sure that this will pave the way for positive change for a field as broad as design.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
AG : My last exhibition was with the company I worked for before the pandemic struck. My next exhibition will be when the dust settles and when people feel safe in large crowd environments.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
AG : I relax and keep an open mind to everything, let the mind wander. Read books, browse the net and take leisure walks.
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?
AG : I hate to be pigeonholed to a style but looking back at my favourite works, are the ones that are utilitarian and minimal in design. Being minimal is a pragmatic choice because by default it uses the right amount of materials, hence, having a lower carbon footprint while being utilitarian is an industrial design doctrine.
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?
AG : Being a Singaporean, I feel insecure when it comes to identity and culture. A "melting pot" of many races and cultures living together. There is no old culture or heritage that we can truly embrace. Much of our influences are quite modern, a charming few, but not rich or rooted like Scandanavia, Chinese or Italian. But I guess that being a "melting pot" in of itself can be an eclectic identity. My next design endeavours are some rattan products which is native to the tropics of south-east-asia.
DI: How do you work with companies?
AG : I understand, accommodate and work to their strengths. From time to time, push boundaries. Always keep in communication.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
AG : Take a good look at their body of work and see if there is chemistry.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
AG : I always start out with pen and paper to gather thoughts. There is always some kind of an iteration process. Then there will be a pitch. And if all goes well, there will be a meticulous documentation process.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
AG : Pyrex measuring cup. Jotterdesk by Jerry Low. Corniche by Bouroullec brothers. Sony EOS RP. Hangar Table by Me.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
AG : Coffee, work and pickup games at the basketball court.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
AG : Embrace the grind if you want to keep doing this.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
AG : Cons: Your mistakes will stick out and they will go on record. Pros: Work is not mundane.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
AG : Communicate
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
AG : Mastering the craft.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
AG : CAD, Vernier Calipers, The internet, Calculator, "Making It!" by Chris Lefteri, "Manufacturing processes for design professionals" by Rob Thompson.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
AG : Manage expectations of yourself and others when it comes to delivery. Ghantt charts.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
AG : It is very subjective. It depends on the product. It could take from days to years.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
AG : Where can I get this?
DI: Who are some of your clients?
AG : JotterGoods
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
AG : The ones that I feel
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
AG : I would like to create a lifestyle brand.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
AG : I used to manage a team. But now I mostly work by myself.
DI: How can people contact you?
AG : You can call me at +6592391987 Or drop me an email at Findme@amosgoh.work