We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Vincent Teoh Boon Seang ("VTBS").
Giftseries Sdn. Bhd. has been in Malaysia since 2004, started as a supplier for corporate gifts. In 2008, the company established the gift hamper business. Giftseries, which emerged as a fierce competitor of the gift hamper industry in Malaysia, has been around for only 6 years. Within a short span of 6 years we have garnered some good experience to compete with major rivals such as ‘Noel Gifts’ and ‘Pods and Petals’ that have similar business model as us. The company emphasizes on a few core values in its business: 1) Premium Quality 2) Friendly Customer Care 3) Creativity in Packaging Designs and its Themes and, 4) Value for Money
Vincent Teoh Boon Seang Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Vincent Teoh Boon Seang.
Designer Interview of Vincent Teoh Boon Seang:
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?
VTBS : I have always wanted to be an artist since I was a child. So I started drawing and painting at my young age, until I completed my diploma course. I get easily attracted to colors and beautiful things.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
VTBS : Currently I am working as a freelance graphic designer. I was in advertising agency for several years before.
DI: What is "design" for you?
VTBS : Design is a solution and improvement in our life.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
VTBS : Marketing collateral
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
VTBS : No specific design, but I do like simple but impactful design.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
VTBS : Emboss, hot stamping, spot UV, fine paper
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
VTBS : When I am sitting in the toilet, that is where I get my inspirations.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
VTBS : The purpose of the design, the contents, and the visual.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
VTBS : Excited, happy. Stress sometimes when I couldn't get what I want.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
VTBS : Happy and a feeling of relaxation
DI: What makes a design successful?
VTBS : Able to convey a message effectively.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
VTBS : The concept, the visual and the contents
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
VTBS : Use the brain to connect with ideas and life
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
VTBS : Less paper for printing now, and more to online nowadays.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
VTBS : My last exhibition was my graduate exhibition. That was 9 years ago.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
VTBS : I am not kidding, but toilet is where I get my inspiration. Because it is a peaceful place to think and get my concept.
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?
VTBS : I don't a specific style in design. I like to explore new whenever I achieved the certain style.
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?
VTBS : I live in Malaysia. Malaysia is a multi–ethnic, multicultural, and multilingual society. Ya, I think that makes me who I am today.
DI: How do you work with companies?
VTBS : Communicate well and time management very important.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
VTBS : Give your designers more freedom in order to create a masterpiece.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
VTBS : I always start with simple sketching, then from there I will create the visual in computer once the concept get approved.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
VTBS : Laptop, mouse, pencil, design books, design magazines
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
VTBS : What describe about my everyday life would three things: sleep, work, enjoy.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
VTBS : Do not give up with what you doing now, always stay with your intuition, and just be yourself.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
VTBS : Positive things being a designer is you able to change or improve someone life. Just stay positive.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
VTBS : Always stick to what you think the best.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
VTBS : Able to think out of the box.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
VTBS : Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Design books
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
VTBS : I will always settle the easy task first before going into the complicated task.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
VTBS : Depend on what item you are designing.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
VTBS : Do you like your job?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
VTBS : Able to complete a project and meet the client's needs. Awards is a bonus.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
VTBS : Giftseries, Unifiedcomms
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
VTBS : I enjoy all the designs because I like to explore new things.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
VTBS : I am planning to have my own design studio and bakery shop.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
VTBS : We work as a team most of the time. I have my own copywriter and we share the ideas with clients too.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
VTBS : I would like to share but at the moment there is no new project coming up.
DI: How can people contact you?
VTBS : Through my e-mail: tbs354@hotmail.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
VTBS : I would like to thank to all parties especially A'Design Award for giving the opportunity and the platform to showcase my artworks.