We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative CHEANG Hoi Fung ("CHF").
my name is fung, graduate as a quantity surveyor, I worked in luxury retail industry as a project manager for more than 10 years. I have the sense of design and started interior design as a freelance meanwhile. with the strong back ground of construction, project management and knowledge of technical, which has made myself become an all round interior designer and can manage the design and build project.
CHEANG Hoi Fung Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by CHEANG Hoi Fung.
CHEANG Hoi Fung Design - West Cullinan Interior Design for Residence
CHEANG Hoi Fung Design - Zen Living Residential Apartment
Designer Interview of CHEANG Hoi Fung:
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?
CHF : I actually studied building studies and quantity surveying at the City University in Hong Kong. my first summer job worked as a quantity surveying trainee at the construction site at the Peninsula Hotel extension, HK at 1994. I was arranged to coordinate the construction for the top floor restaurant called 'Felix' which is designed Philippe Starck, the world-famous designer. I was so lucky I could work for the world- class design project for my 1st job and my buried interest and potential on design has been triggered via the design drawing and physical built. after my graduated and worked as the quantity surveyor, I studied the part time evening course for interior design. after 3 years worked for the quantity surveying industry, I worked for interior fitout contractor as a project manager and involved many world class design projects (retail boutiques, hospitality, office and residential) . meanwhile, I have gained a lot of visions, experiences, skills of interior design through the job training. i had an opportunity to work as a freelance design and build project for a small retail boutiques for my friends on 2007. i have got a lot of referral for new projects since then. i setup my own design+PM+build firm named WHDL on 2010. as i have the strong technique background and the sense of aesthetic, which can help me to strike the balance between the feasibility and aesthetic. i always got a strong touch when i walked into a interesting designed space. somehow i feel the connection between my soul and the space.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CHF : My company called WHDL合十, established since 2010, our scope is design, design/ PM consultancy and construction. 合十, the Chinese characters means palm togethers. with the spirit of gratitude and blessing, our company is committed to creating comfortable, practical and yet harmonious, elegant and joyful space for our clients through our designs. this is our business philosophy and design concept.
DI: What is "design" for you?
CHF : to create something (object, space etc.)to improve human life both physically and mentally
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CHF : interior design and architectural
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CHF : cars, watches, interior space, glasses, fashion, architect.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CHF : a company logo
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CHF : -wood, metal and stone. -pinterest -3D studio max
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
CHF : when I feel happy and peaceful.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CHF : human living pattern inside the space.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CHF : exciting, concentrated, energetic
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CHF : exciting, blessed, touching and gratitude
DI: What makes a design successful?
CHF : clients feel happy, exciting, touching and feel better improvement when using their new space.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CHF : i respect every design. the design makes client happy is always good design.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CHF : -to design space makes people feel peaceful, harmony and joyful -use material less damage the environment and less energy consumed
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CHF : AI design
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
CHF : i did some local TV interview to demo my projects and introduction of advanced material last year. the next one will be next year.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CHF : -zen elements, architectural, travelling, mediation -mediation, projects done by others -mediation, life details
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?
CHF : -zen, peaceful, harmony, elegant, subtle luxury, timeless, practical, human care -i am a buddhist, i hope my clients always feel peaceful and joyful via living for the spaces i design for them. -form follows function, less is more
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?
CHF : i live hk. hk used to be the colonial city of UK and is a international metropolitan city. multi cultural in the city makes the design vibes very exciting. (+)multi cultural makes a lot of idea flowing around the city (-)hk is a tiny city where the space design is very limited
DI: How do you work with companies?
CHF : i like to work close with the team via respect each other, open discussion, accept new idea, less pressure but serious atomsphere
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
CHF : -concentrate more on their heart and thought rather their skill
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CHF : client requirement (scope)> mediation> brain storming> design development
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CHF : mini garden, multi function zone (worship, mediation, gym, study and gathering), hidden storage mechanisim, walk-in closet and layout planning
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
CHF : driving, mediation, smoke cigar, make jokes with people, blessing people, working, gym, play with dogs
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
CHF : - listen/observe attentively to people; - work with your passion rather than just treat it as a job.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CHF : I will say positive only -creativity; free of thought, exciting, self satisfaction, team work; vivid
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CHF : -understand the needs from end users
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
CHF : sensitive on every details
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
CHF : recycle paper and drawing pens.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CHF : -via mediation, I can be inspired. I will drop down all the idea floating around. most productive is in the morning
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CHF : depends the scale and level of requirement
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CHF : - how is the function requirement for the space used? - how is the timeline and budget?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
CHF : -I worked for Duty free stores and worked with international projects and designer in asia pacific area. I gained the international vision which help my design work a lot.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
CHF : retail owner; residential end user and millwork supplier from oversea.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CHF : furniture design.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CHF : -I want to buy some properties and renovated them in my own style and then resell them or rent them out. as a investiment
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CHF : 50% my own design, 50% team work
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
CHF : -I am doing a residential project in hK where my client likes the Japanese style. finally we mutually agreed to do mild Japanese style just with some signature elements to highlights.
DI: How can people contact you?
CHF : fung@whdl-hk.com +852 96997115
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
CHF : as my career path started as a surveyor, and then a builder project manager and then a designer, my company is quiet all rounded to provide prof. service on each scope. besides I work for design work for the local clients, I also as a PM consultant for some luxury brands such as YSL and tumi. meanwhile, for my international network and know how for building, I provide service for installation work for oversea millworker for local installation as well. and I am both the HK and macau permanent residence, I am legally to work at both locations. I have the follow professional qualifications: RICS- Royal institute of chartered surveyors CIOB- chartered Institutes of Builders HKICM- Hong Kong Institute Construction Managers HKIDA- Hong Kong Interior Design Association HKDA- Hong Kong Design Association the above shown myself and my team is capable to do the design, PM and build projects.