We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Chen-Chi Hung ("CH").
Chen Chi Hung graduated from the Department of Interior Design at Chung Yuan Christian University in Taiwan, and has been engaged in the interior design profession for nearly 30 years. He specializes in interior planning and design for offices, factories, retail spaces, and residential properties. In addition to providing professional, advanced, and innovative factory space planning services for international brands, he also assists local Taiwanese brands in upgrading and transforming their industries through design thinking. In addition to possessing integrated planning, design, and engineering capabilities, he also offers comprehensive design services spanning interior design, landscape design, floral display design, and energy feng shui planning. He emphasizes the balance of energy between people and spaces, aiming to create a harmonious, pure, and positive atmosphere through design, providing customers with a stable environment for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Chen-Chi Hung Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Chen-Chi Hung.
Chen-Chi Hung Design - Timescape Flagship Store
Designer Interview of Chen-Chi Hung:
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?
CH : My father is a journalist and expert in spatial feng shui, possessing excellent writing skills and public speaking abilities. He has a deep understanding of Chinese culture and ancient feng shui theories. My brother, on the other hand, is studying performing arts and has a strong professional and personal charisma in controlling the atmosphere on stage and delivering speeches. Growing up in such a family has cultivated my sensitivity to beauty and the cultural and artistic industries. When I began studying interior design in university, I found that I had a good ability to construct arguments and communicate effectively. I believe this is not only due to my education and the guidance of my teachers but also related to what I have seen, heard, and experienced throughout my upbringing.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CH : Ones Interior Design Inc. is composed of professional designers with construction team. We provide architecture design, interior design, landscape design, installation art design, project management and feng shui planning for offices, factory offices, retail commercial spaces and residence. In particular we focus on the balance of energy between human and space, creating a harmonious and pure spatial experience.
DI: What is "design" for you?
CH : I believe that design may seem like the perspective and discourse of a single role, but in reality, it is the cultivation of comprehensive abilities. Simply creating brilliant designs does not necessarily mean that these designs will sell. Behind design, from the smallest scale of the designer's perspective, one needs to possess communication skills and the ability to empathize with others. In execution, practical experience and communication skills to solve engineering issues in the real world are necessary. On the operational side, precise planning of finances and human resources is required. Ultimately, foresight and consideration for short, medium, and long-term plans are needed. For me, this comprehensive thinking is what constitutes design. It is this comprehensiveness that transforms design from a mere drawing into something valuable and precious with tangible worth.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CH : We specialize in designing corporate brand office spaces and commercial environments. We enjoy studying the requirements of excellent international enterprises for efficient, high-quality, and humanized office environments. With our expertise, we offer comprehensive services including planning, design, construction, and supervision to assist clients in solving problems, which is our strength.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
CH : In the early morning, when the mind is at its clearest, various creative ideas often come flying into the mind.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CH : Rather than appealing to my own emotions, I prioritize thinking from the client's perspective and strive to deeply understand their needs. My goal is to create a space that satisfies and resonates with the client, ensuring their future satisfaction with its usage.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CH : Design is a massive collaborative effort. When a successful design project is realized and completed, I am thankful for my perseverance, dedication, and hard work. I am even more grateful for each member of the team playing their roles effectively in their respective positions.
DI: What makes a design successful?
CH : Introducing aesthetics beyond the knowledge theory and design aesthetics known to the client, and breaking through existing imaginations and limitations of space together with the client, is the key to driving successful design.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CH : Does the rationality of use only concern the expression of personal design intent, while overlooking the users' genuine needs and psychological needs for aesthetics?
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CH : With excellent communication skills and an approachable demeanor, conveying perspectives from various design disciplines, the progress of social aesthetics is a slow process. It requires individuals who maintain passion and perseverance to continue driving it forward over the long term.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CH : My inspiration stems from life experiences, extensive reading of new knowledge, a deep-seated passion sustained over the years, and the experiential background derived from my family's expertise in feng shui and background in performing arts and public speaking.
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?
CH : As the leader of my company, it is my responsibility to chart a clear course by setting specific short, medium, and long-term goals for the company. Providing each department with professional managers and clear directives for execution, along with regular evaluations, ensures that the company's responsibilities are carried out effectively, thereby ensuring smooth overall operations.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
CH : I believe that the selection of designers prioritizes character and integrity. Being a good person before anything else is essential; good character enables the team to go further without resorting to shortcuts or taking unnecessary risks. The second level is returning to professional competence, providing adequate professional skills and outputs, which ensures smooth collaboration within the team.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CH : When a new project takes shape, our thought process revolves around the rational aspect of financial budgeting and the emotional satisfaction of expected goals. By mastering these two aspects and precisely balancing the tug-of-war between the rational and emotional sides, we have a better chance of achieving excellent design outcomes.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CH : 1.The invincible Iron Man model in my personal office serves as a symbol of determination and reminds me of the importance of resilience and hard work in team management. 2.The thriving aquarium in our office is home to a vibrant ecosystem of fish and aquatic plants. Our colleagues possess expertise in aquarium care, which we integrate with our landscape design profession. Seeing the beautiful and lively scenes in the aquarium every day makes it the best feng shui environment. 3.The Harman Kardon speakers in the office fill the space with uplifting music, setting the tone for a vibrant day. 4.Various indoor landscape plants adorn our office, benefitting from our company's professional landscape maintenance services. With excellent natural light, our office serves as an ideal environment for plant cultivation. The outdoor trees and indoor plants can adjust the mood of the workday, promoting positive vibes among employees. 5.The APFR brass incense aroma set from Japan provides a soothing fragrance that helps alleviate stress and is a great source of relaxation in daily life.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
CH : Wake up early, engage in a simple aerobic exercise, and head to the office after a morning shower. Conduct a brief weekly meeting at the office, then proceed to meet with clients to discuss the direction of new projects. Lunch is kept simple, followed by a short rest in the afternoon. Spend the afternoon energetically discussing design projects with project managers and addressing important business issues. After work, have dinner with my daughter, engage in light exercise, and review the progress of each project for the next day to avoid staying up late, ensuring that I tackle each day in the best possible condition!
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
CH : Never stop learning, never stop moving forward. Seize opportunities to validate design with on-site supervision experience. Only through repeated verification, modification, and unwavering dedication to professionalism can the path of design be extended further and filled with joy.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
CH : Communication skills, attention to detail, sense of responsibility, innate aesthetic taste.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
CH : Pencil, sketch paper, in-depth discussions with clients, and deep debates with colleagues.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CH : Before starting any work, establish a plan and strive to follow the planned schedule as closely as possible. Set daily work goals and ensure their achievement, using the completion rate as a basis to adjust the schedule's reasonableness accordingly. This serves as a guideline for self-improvement.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
CH : During my years at Horizon Design, I witnessed the establishment of a structured company system, which laid the foundation for the expansion of business sources and ambitions. This experience provided training in design operations, practical management, and problem-solving on construction sites. It formed the basis for building my own brand in the following 10-20 years. Working and learning in such a positive environment during my youth was an invaluable accumulation of life experiences.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
CH : International brands such as Microsoft, BCG Consultant, JP Morgan BANK, DBS BANK, CISCO, CBRE, JLL, etc.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CH : I enjoy serving as a design manager, assembling a team with diverse professional abilities and enabling each member to shine in their respective roles. I provide direction and organization for the team as a whole.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CH : I have a passion for science, and even more so for technology. Over the years, I have always hoped to integrate design with technology. My future plan is to return to campus to study an EMBA program, focusing on the integration of space design and quantum technology. I aspire to pioneer a new design paradigm for interior and spatial design fields.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CH : In addition to having a robust in-house team, our company also collaborates on projects with construction companies, building firms, and design agencies. In this era, integrating expertise is essential to add value to our projects.
DI: How can people contact you?
CH : Feel free to connect with us on our FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM communities. Please search for Ones Design Group.