We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ching Lee, Jeanne Tan and Jun Jong Tan ("CLJTAJJT").
Ching Lee, Prof. Jeanne Tan, and Jun Jong Tan form a multidisciplinary innovation team at the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Ching Lee is a PhD researcher specializing in the application of artificial intelligence in temperature-regulating textiles. Professor Jeanne Tan, from the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) at PolyU, leads the team with expertise in intelligent textile design. Jun Jong Tan is an engineer who contributes technical expertise in system development and integration.The team's groundbreaking work focuses on the development of smart interactive illuminative textiles and AI-powered temperature-regulating garments.
Ching Lee, Jeanne Tan and Jun Jong Tan Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ching Lee, Jeanne Tan and Jun Jong Tan.
Ching Lee, Jeanne Tan and Jun Jong Tan Design - Chromaheat AI Heating Textile
Designer Interview of Ching Lee, Jeanne Tan and Jun Jong Tan:
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?
CLJTAJJT : Our background is in textile design, and in recent years, we have focused primarily on interaction design. We've always been passionate about creating meaningful and engaging experiences through design, which naturally led us to explore the potential of textiles as a medium for interactive, human-centered solutions. By combining the tactile and emotional qualities of textiles with technology, we aim to enhance user interaction and well-being through thoughtful, responsive design approaches.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CLJTAJJT : We are part of a design team working under AiDLab — the Artificial Intelligence and Design Laboratory — an interdisciplinary research platform that brings together experts from both creative and technological fields. At AiDLab, we are currently involved in a project titled 'Intelligent Fashion Design,' which explores the integration of AI and emerging technologies into the fashion and textile industries. Our work focuses on combining innovative design thinking with advanced technologies to create smart, user-centered fashion solutions that respond to real human needs. It's an exciting environment that fosters collaboration between design, science, and cutting-edge innovation.
DI: What is "design" for you?
CLJTAJJT : For us, design is a way of thinking and problem-solving that goes beyond aesthetics. It’s about creating meaningful experiences that improve people’s lives. We see design as a powerful tool for communication and innovation — a process that blends creativity, functionality, and empathy. Especially in our work, design means understanding human needs and integrating technology thoughtfully to deliver intelligent, user-centered solutions. Ultimately, design is about making a positive impact through purposeful and responsible creation.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CLJTAJJT : We are most passionate about designing works that are human-interactive and human-centered. We enjoy creating designs that actively engage users and respond to their needs in meaningful ways. Whether through tactile experiences, responsive textiles, or smart interfaces, we aim to develop solutions that foster intuitive interaction and emotional connection. For us, the most fulfilling design work is that which enhances everyday life and creates a deeper relationship between people and their environment.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
CLJTAJJT : One of our favorite designs is an AI-based interactive illuminative textile that we have developed over the past few years. This project represents a meaningful integration of technology and design, and it has been applied in various areas including fashion, interior design, and rehabilitation. The textile system incorporates deep learning and computer vision technologies, with an embedded camera that is capable of capturing users' body posture and gestures in real time. Based on these inputs, the illuminative fabric responds by changing colors according to a programmed color system. This creates a dynamic, responsive experience that not only enhances aesthetics but also explores new forms of interaction between humans and materials. We are proud of this work as it demonstrates the potential of intelligent textiles in creating smarter and more empathetic environments.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
CLJTAJJT : The first design created for a company under the lead of Ching Lee was the award-winning ChromaHeat AI. The concept originated a few years ago during Ching’s PhD research in fashion and textile design. It was inspired by the idea of integrating smart materials and responsive technologies to enhance user experience through intelligent, color-changing textiles. This project marked the beginning of our journey in exploring the intersection of fashion, textiles, and AI-driven interaction.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
CLJTAJJT : Our favorite material is polymeric optical fiber, which we’ve applied extensively in our work to create illuminated textiles. This material is highly flexible and can be seamlessly integrated into various textile structures, allowing us to develop fabrics that emit light and respond to environmental or user input. Its versatility and compatibility with traditional textile techniques make it ideal for combining aesthetics with functionality — especially in applications such as fashion, interior design, and interactive installations.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
CLJTAJJT : I feel the most creative when exploring the integration of AI to control heating temperatures in e-textiles. The ability to use artificial intelligence to dynamically respond to user needs—such as adjusting warmth in real time—opens up exciting possibilities for both comfort and functionality. With AI increasingly being used to enhance quality of life, applying it to smart textiles allows us to design more personalized, adaptive, and human-centered solutions.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CLJTAJJT : During the design process, we place strong emphasis on data collection, particularly for training AI systems. Since there is limited open-source data available that relates key factors—such as a user’s age, gender, height, and weight, along with environmental conditions like ambient temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity—to the optimal heating temperature in e-textiles, we often need to build our own datasets from the ground up. This data is essential to ensure that the heating system can intelligently adapt to individual needs and deliver maximum thermal comfort. While it requires significant time and effort, this step is crucial for creating effective, human-centered smart textile solutions.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CLJTAJJT : When we design, we experience a blend of excitement, curiosity, and a deep sense of purpose. There’s a genuine joy in exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of what materials and technology can achieve. At the same time, we feel a strong sense of responsibility, especially when creating human-centered designs that can impact people’s daily lives. The process is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally fulfilling, as it allows us to transform creativity into meaningful and innovative solutions.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CLJTAJJT : When our designs are realized, we feel a strong sense of fulfillment and pride. Seeing our ideas come to life—especially after a long process of research, experimentation, and development—is incredibly rewarding. It’s especially meaningful when the final outcome not only meets our expectations but also positively impacts users. We also feel inspired and motivated to keep innovating, knowing that our work can make a real difference through thoughtful, human-centered design.
DI: What makes a design successful?
CLJTAJJT : A design is successful when it can be applied in real-life scenarios and effectively addresses existing problems. For us, true success lies in creating solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and impactful. A well-designed product should enhance the user's experience, solve meaningful challenges, and seamlessly integrate into everyday life. When a design meets real needs and improves quality of life, that's when we consider it truly successful.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CLJTAJJT : When evaluating whether a design is good or bad, the first aspects we consider are its functionality and how well it addresses the intended user needs. A good design should effectively solve a problem or serve a clear purpose while being intuitive and user-friendly. We also look at the design’s usability, scalability, and how seamlessly it integrates into real-life scenarios. Aesthetics and innovation are important too, but for us, a truly successful design starts with meaningful impact and human-centered thinking.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CLJTAJJT : From our point of view, designers have a significant responsibility to both society and the environment. As creators of products, systems, and experiences that shape everyday life, we must prioritize human well-being, inclusivity, and accessibility in our work. At the same time, we are responsible for considering the environmental impact of our designs—from material selection and production methods to product longevity and end-of-life disposal. Sustainable thinking should be embedded throughout the design process. We believe that designers should act as problem-solvers, innovators, and advocates for positive change—using design not only to meet functional needs, but also to contribute to a more equitable, responsible, and sustainable future for all.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CLJTAJJT : The design field is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancements, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a growing awareness of social and environmental responsibility. Designers today are not just focused on aesthetics, but are also deeply involved in creating systems, experiences, and solutions that address complex global challenges. One of the most significant shifts we see is the integration of emerging technologies—such as artificial intelligence, data science, and smart materials—into the design process. This opens up new opportunities for personalization, interactivity, and human-centered innovation. We believe the future of design lies in its ability to be adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable. Designers will increasingly play a key role in bridging the gap between people and technology, ensuring that innovations are not only functional but also ethical, accessible, and environmentally conscious. In this changing landscape, design will continue to serve as a powerful force for positive impact in society.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
CLJTAJJT : Our most recent exhibition was Culture. Future: Kan Tai Keung × Jeanne Tan – Intelligent Textiles for Interactive Art , held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the U.K. on July 17, 2024. For this exhibition, our research team collaborated with renowned artist Kan Tai Keung to develop a series of intelligent textiles designed for interactive art experiences. It was an exciting opportunity to showcase how art, design, and smart textile technology can come together in meaningful ways. We are currently planning our next exhibition, which will take place in China and Hong Kong. The goal is to present the latest outcomes of our ongoing research, further demonstrating how intelligent textiles can be applied across art, design, and daily life to enhance interactive and human-centered experiences.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CLJTAJJT : The inspiration for our designs often comes from observing everyday technologies and reimagining how they could be applied to textiles and human-centered applications. For instance, the idea behind ChromaHeat AI was inspired by the Fuzzy Logic temperature control systems used in air conditioners. These systems operate using IF-THEN rules to automatically adjust the cooling level based on changes in ambient conditions. This sparked the idea—what if we could apply a similar logic, enhanced by artificial intelligence, to create a smart heating system for e-textiles? By considering both user profile factors (such as age, gender, height, and weight) and environmental conditions (like temperature, humidity, and air velocity), we aimed to develop an intelligent textile capable of automatically adjusting heat output to achieve optimal thermal comfort. To feed our creativity, we stay curious and open to interdisciplinary thinking, drawing inspiration from both technology and daily life. Collaborations with experts from different fields also provide valuable insights that fuel innovation in our 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?
CLJTAJJT : Our design style is best described as human-centered, or user-centered. We focus on creating solutions that respond directly to users’ needs, behaviors, and comfort. In our recent work—particularly in projects involving intelligent textiles for thermal regulation—we’ve come to understand that thermal comfort is a highly subjective experience. This has led us to explore this design approach more deeply, integrating user-specific data to ensure that the outcomes truly reflect individual preferences. Our methodology involves data-driven design, where user testing and environmental interaction play a key role. As part of our ongoing development, we plan to conduct more extensive subject tests to gather precise data for AI training. This approach allows us to create personalized, adaptive systems that offer optimal comfort and functionality. The core characteristics of our style include interactivity, adaptability, and a strong emphasis on emotional and physical user engagement.
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?
CLJTAJJT : We are based in Hong Kong, a vibrant and multicultural city that greatly influences our design approach. As an international hub, Hong Kong offers a dynamic environment where experts from various disciplines regularly exchange ideas. This openness and cross-cultural interaction have provided us with valuable opportunities for collaboration and innovation, especially in the fields of design and technology. Culturally, Hong Kong encourages a blend of tradition and modernity, which aligns well with our goal of integrating cutting-edge technology with everyday, human-centered applications. However, one challenge we face is the local climate. Since Hong Kong does not experience extreme cold weather, it presents limitations in conducting realistic outdoor testing for temperature-regulating designs such as the ChromaHeat AI jacket. As a solution, our initial tests were carried out in controlled indoor environments to simulate a wider range of ambient conditions. Despite this, the unique context of Hong Kong continues to inspire new ideas and encourage us to develop solutions that can adapt to diverse global settings.
DI: How do you work with companies?
CLJTAJJT : Our collaborations typically begin with a concept or idea rooted in our research focus. Once we have a clear direction, we engage in discussions with our research director, who often provides full support for research and development. This collaborative process allows us to combine our design and innovation expertise with the guidance and strategic insights of the research director. Together, we work toward identifying practical and impactful solutions that align with both the research goals and real-world applications. It’s a dynamic and mutually beneficial process that enables us to bring forward-thinking ideas to life.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
CLJTAJJT : We believe that successful collaboration between companies and designers is built on mutual respect, open communication, and a shared vision. Our suggestion to companies is to involve designers early in the development process so that they can contribute strategically—not only in aesthetics, but also in functionality, user experience, and innovation. Trusting the designer's creative process and giving space for experimentation can lead to truly meaningful and user-centered outcomes. When selecting a good designer, companies should look beyond just a strong portfolio. A good designer should possess not only creativity and technical skills, but also the ability to understand user needs, think critically, and work collaboratively across disciplines. It's important to choose a designer whose values align with the company's goals and who demonstrates a passion for solving real-world problems through design.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CLJTAJJT : Our design process typically begins with a clear concept — in this case, the idea of developing an AI temperature control system for heating e-textiles. From there, we move into material exploration, selecting and comparing various conductive yarns to evaluate their heating performance. Since the textiles are woven, we also experiment with different fabric structures to determine which configuration provides the most efficient heating and optimal color-changing effects. Once the best material and structural combinations are identified, we develop an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to predict the most suitable heating temperature for individual users. This involves collecting physiological and environmental data through subject testing, considering factors such as age, gender, body size, and ambient conditions. The final outcome of this process is the ChromaHeat AI jacket. Drawing from literature studies, we strategically focused on heating the upper back torso — identified as one of the body’s most thermally sensitive areas — to effectively enhance overall thermal comfort. This combination of material testing, structural innovation, AI modeling, and user-centered design forms the foundation of our design approach.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CLJTAJJT : My five favorite design items at home are: Air purifier Air conditioner Washing machine Refrigerator Heater
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
CLJTAJJT : As researchers, our daily routine typically revolves around a balance of creative and technical tasks. A typical day involves focusing on design exploration, material selection, and textile fabrication, followed by performance testing and data collection. We dedicate time to analyzing the results to improve our prototypes and ensure accuracy in our research outcomes. Once we achieve reliable findings, we concentrate on documenting and presenting our work through journal articles, conference papers, and patent applications to share our innovations with the wider academic and professional community.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
CLJTAJJT : For young and aspiring designers, we encourage them to stay curious, open-minded, and always ready to learn—from both success and failure. Focus on solving real-world problems through their designs, as true innovation goes beyond aesthetics to create meaningful impact. Be patient with the process; research, testing, and refinement take time but are essential to growth. Embrace collaboration and interdisciplinary thinking, as different perspectives often lead to the most creative solutions. Most importantly, be mindful of their responsibility to society and the environment—sustainable and ethical design matters. Believe in their vision, stay passionate, and let purpose guide their creative journey.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CLJTAJJT : From our perspective, one of the greatest positives of being a designer is the ability to turn ideas into tangible solutions that can improve people's lives. It's a highly creative and fulfilling field that allows for constant innovation, exploration, and meaningful impact. Designers often have the opportunity to work across disciplines, collaborate with diverse teams, and contribute to shaping the future through human-centered thinking. However, the role also comes with challenges. One of the main difficulties is balancing creativity with practicality—ensuring that designs are not only innovative but also feasible, sustainable, and user-friendly. Additionally, the process can be time-consuming, with extensive testing, iterations, and sometimes limited resources. Despite these challenges, the sense of purpose and satisfaction in creating thoughtful, impactful designs makes the journey incredibly rewarding.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CLJTAJJT : Our golden rule in design is to embrace a try-and-error approach while striving to bridge the gap between design and science. We believe that experimentation is essential to innovation, and by combining creative intuition with scientific methods, we can develop meaningful, user-centered solutions that are both functional and forward-thinking.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
CLJTAJJT : We believe that the most important skills for a designer include critical thinking, creativity, and empathy. A strong designer must be able to identify and solve real-world problems through thoughtful and innovative solutions. Technical skills—such as proficiency in design tools, material knowledge, and an understanding of emerging technologies—are also essential, especially in today’s rapidly evolving landscape. Equally important are communication and collaboration skills, as designers often work in interdisciplinary teams. Lastly, a mindset of continuous learning, along with resilience and adaptability, helps designers grow and stay relevant in a constantly changing world.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
CLJTAJJT : In our design process, we use a blend of traditional craftsmanship and advanced technologies. To develop and test our textile structures, we work with the Rapier Sample Loom (CCI/SL7900) to create intricate woven patterns. For performance evaluation, especially related to thermal responsiveness, we use an infrared camera to monitor and analyze the heating behavior of our e-textiles in real time. On the software side, we employ Scikit-learn Machine Learning in Python to build and train our Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models. This allows us to analyze data collected from user testing and predict optimal heating temperatures tailored to individual profiles and ambient conditions. Our toolbox reflects our interdisciplinary approach—bridging textile design, materials science, and artificial intelligence to create innovative, human-centered smart textiles.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CLJTAJJT : Designing can indeed be time-consuming, especially when it involves research, testing, and multiple iterations. To manage our time effectively, we break the project into clear stages—such as concept development, material testing, data collection, and analysis—setting achievable goals and timelines for each phase. Prioritization is key; we focus on the most critical tasks first while allowing flexibility for adjustments as needed. Collaboration also plays an important role, as working in a team allows us to divide responsibilities based on expertise. Ultimately, staying organized, maintaining a clear workflow, and being adaptable help us balance creativity with productivity throughout the design process.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CLJTAJJT : Designing an object—from the initial concept to the final prototype—can be a lengthy process. In our case, it typically takes around four years. This includes the early stages of idea development, material research, structural experimentation, performance testing, data collection, AI model training, and finally, the refinement and realization of a working prototype. Each phase is essential to ensure the outcome is innovative, functional, and user-centered.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CLJTAJJT : As designers working at the intersection of textiles and technology, one of the most frequently asked questions we receive is: 'How does the textile actually respond to the user or environment?' People are often curious about how smart textiles work—especially how we integrate sensors, AI, and responsive materials to create interactive experiences. It opens up great conversations about the possibilities of future-focused, human-centered design.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
CLJTAJJT : One of our most important job experiences was leading the development of the ChromaHeat AI project. It was a multidisciplinary collaboration that combined textile design, artificial intelligence, and user-centered research. This project allowed us to apply our knowledge in smart textiles while working closely with experts from both scientific and creative fields. The process—from initial concept to prototype and exhibition—deepened our understanding of how design and technology can come together to create impactful, real-world solutions. It also helped solidify our commitment to research-driven, human-centered innovation.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
CLJTAJJT : Due to the nature of our research projects, many of our clients and collaborators come from academic institutions, innovation labs, and industry partners specializing in textiles, fashion, and technology. We also work closely with research directors, design studios, and cross-disciplinary teams interested in the integration of AI and smart materials. While some of our partnerships are confidential, we’re proud to collaborate with organizations that support forward-thinking, human-centered design and technological innovation.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CLJTAJJT : We enjoy working most on human-centered, interactive design—particularly projects that integrate smart textiles with emerging technologies like AI. This type of work allows us to combine creativity with problem-solving, and to explore how design can directly improve everyday life. We find it especially rewarding to develop responsive systems that adapt to users' needs, such as temperature-regulating e-textiles, because they offer real, tangible benefits. The blend of science, technology, and user experience makes this kind of design both challenging and deeply fulfilling.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CLJTAJJT : Our future plans focus on enhancing the functionality of ChromaHeat AI. We aim to expand our dataset to improve the accuracy and adaptability of the AI-driven temperature regulation system. Additionally, we are developing a complementary cooling system to complete the full spectrum of thermal management in e-textiles. By integrating both heating and cooling capabilities, we hope to create a more advanced, responsive solution for personalized thermal comfort in various real-life scenarios.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CLJTAJJT : We work as a collaborative team, where each member contributes unique expertise to the design and development process. The project is led by Ching Lee, a PhD researcher specializing in the application of artificial intelligence in temperature-regulating textiles. Professor Jeanne Tan, from the School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), guides the team with her expertise in intelligent textile design. Jun Jong Tan, an engineer, supports the project by providing technical expertise in system development and integration. Together, our interdisciplinary team focuses on pioneering smart, interactive illuminative textiles and AI-powered temperature-regulating garments, aiming to push the boundaries of human-centered and technology-driven design.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
CLJTAJJT : Yes, we are currently working on the continued development and improvement of ChromaHeat AI . Our focus is on enhancing its functionality by expanding the dataset used for AI training to improve accuracy and responsiveness. We're also exploring new textile structures and advanced system integration to make the garment more adaptable to diverse user needs and environmental conditions. This work-in-progress represents our ongoing commitment to creating intelligent, user-centered textiles that offer both comfort and innovation.
DI: How can people contact you?
CLJTAJJT : You may contact us through our research director, Professor Jeanne Tan , at the School of Fashion and Textiles, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She can be reached via email at jeanne.tan@polyu.edu.hk for any inquiries or collaboration opportunities regarding our research and design projects.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
CLJTAJJT : Yes, in addition to our academic and research work, our team has also established a spin-off company called GERI LIMITED , which specializes in providing custom-made illuminative fabrics. This venture allows us to translate our research outcomes into real-world applications and commercial products. Through GERI LIMITED, we aim to bring innovative textile solutions to a wider audience, supporting industries such as fashion, interior design, and healthcare with smart, interactive materials.