We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ma Shao-Hsuan ("MS").
From I unique comprehension design and cooperation with talented designers in various fields, the Marvelous studio has established. Emphasize on the logic and the nature of the space. Value and present the nature of materials And dare to challenge the boundaries of traditional design. Design is life is my believe.
Ma Shao-Hsuan Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ma Shao-Hsuan.
Ma Shao-Hsuan Design - Plum Port Residential Design
Designer Interview of Ma Shao-Hsuan:
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?
MS : My mother is a teacher of traditional Chinese painting and national dance, which may have influenced me have deep affection for painting and creation, as well as the development of art and aesthetics. Until I studied architecture in university, I have logically transformed the creation into design, more likely to implement the design beautifully.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
MS : 1.Marvelous studio was founded in 2011 Marvelous is a diversified architecture and interior design laboratory. To create distinctive design solutions with our research spirit. The design team includes architecture and interior design, lighting and home furnishings Most of the works are residential space, commercial space, cultural educational space, exhibition space, furniture, and various space designs.
DI: What is "design" for you?
MS : Design is life is my believe. Considering the relationship between users a variety of space that from metropolis to buildings to interiors and to furniture. Repeatedly explore the nature of the space for the propose of compatible, sustainable and logical strategies, which contains aesthetic philosophy. Every design is the outcome of the integration of function and aesthetics.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
MS : Architecture and interior design are my favorite.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
MS : Simple and practical is my favorite design. Base on users’ habits and the natural of the material to adjust the appropriate proportion, thus the outcome is beautiful not tinsel.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
MS : A three-story old house. We rearranged the exterior and courtyard space, also remodeled the interior to suit the users’ need.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
MS : Wood and metal are my favorite. According to their characteristics, their combination with each other can create infinite possible space.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
MS : After viewing a fascinating exhibition, which I can reflect of some special concepts from different fields of art.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
MS : Users’ requirement.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
MS : A bit excited. I started dialectical thinking from both designer and users’ end repeatedly. Although it can be troubled sometimes, but the result is very satisfying.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
MS : We will have a sense of accomplishment, if we have the high standard of completion which meets users’ requirement.
DI: What makes a design successful?
MS : Apart from the budget and construction quality, the most important thing is well communication with users. To be in users’ position, think from users’ end.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
MS : Practicality and glamour. A good design must meet these two conditions.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
MS : A good design provides not only safety and convenience for people's daily life and work, but also provides communication between people to maintain emotions and the sublimation of the soul. Furthermore, it also has a certain effect on the development of the city.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
MS : I think that some design fields are still irreplaceable professions by computers. Basic design skills may be required as a basic ability for everyone in the future.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
MS : I am aware of all kinds of art in different fields, such as the East and West painting, sculptures, music, movies and various channel to conceive with unique concepts and ideas.
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?
MS : My style is based on simplicity, but according to the different conditions of each space, the outcomes are more diverse and may challenge some traditional thought. The main feature is neat and simple lines, modest but interesting space.
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?
MS : I live in Taiwan which has high population density. Every inch of space must be arranged more carefully to maximus its value. There is more restriction in design and budget. However, Taiwan has open social atmosphere and advance information technology, hence accepts various cultures is relatively high.
DI: How do you work with companies?
MS : Our best priority is to choose a company with high credence and can accept new ideas. This leads to a smoother result in the forthcoming cooperation.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
MS : It would be the best to discuss the ideas of both parties as many times as possible before the cooperation. In order to choose and coordinate with the most consensus designer.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
MS : I usually do a thoroughly investigation of the owners’ requirements and collect basic information before I start the graphics design. During design process, I will think via the model, hand drawings and various pictures. On top of that, confirmation with each other at each stage and adjust design to ensure that it matches the original concept.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
MS : 1. Large dining table. 2. The French casement in the bedroom which contains the view of the trees in the park. 3. Full stainless steel kitchenware. 4. Size adjustable modular storage cabinet. 5. Modeling lamps.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
MS : Expect going to construction site on workdays, I usually go to the studio with my wife who is also a designer, and sometimes bring two pugs. Recently, I take my newly born child to work, since the studio is not far from home. When the workload is heavy, I often go back to the studio to work at night.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
MS : Professional skills and knowledge may help to pick up fast at work, but the creative concept, design idea and pursuit of aesthetic beauty come from the accumulation of daily life. In addition to reading and thinking, the pursuit of quality life, grow various hobbies and keep exploring the world curiously, these are the resources to breakout from the traditional design but gain innovational and inspirational design.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
MS : As a designer, it is bond to have a certain degree of requirements for my personal living, but sometimes it can be a bit rigid for many things.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
MS : Less is More.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
MS : Communication ability, including hand drawn perspective view and language expression.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
MS : I use paper and pen, in addition, graphic design and 3D software. My inspiration comes from art journals and design magazines.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
MS : Leave at least a complete and uninterrupted time for the most important parts of the design, such as graphic planning and finding inspiration. And various meeting discussions and work trivia can be done in piecemeal time. The reflect on the concept is always on designer’s mind, which take place in the head at any time.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
MS : It depends on the size and form of the case, at least 3 to 6 months.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
MS : Architecture and interior design.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
MS : Some of my clients include average family, restaurant operator and company.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
MS : Home design. It is the most tightly related to the life of the user and the it is most delicate design.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
MS : Recruit talent people and expand the case source to improve the quality of the case.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
MS : I work with a group of excellent colleagues.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
MS : A long and narrow base which is close to other buildings on three sides and the entrance faces to the road. This self-built home is a three-generation family of 10 members. Due to Feng Shui, it will not do patio lighting in the center of the building, nor the uplift space, so the windows for breath and light of the building will be the biggest challenge.
DI: How can people contact you?
MS : People can contact me by 2 ways, 1.email: mvls.studio@gmail.com 2.Visit our Facebook and leave a message : https://www.facebook.com/MVLSstudio/