We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Bob Lei ("BL").
Todot design is a multi-disciplinary design company based in Macau. We are good at combining avant design language with radical ideas to create unique design experience. Simple ideas with great execution are always the most powerful bullets that we have. We see ideas, execution, marketing strategy are the essential elements for us to achieve great success in every project，and we are working so hard to provide a total design solution for our clients. Our team is always ready to take any design adventure. If you're ready to start your best creative partnership journey with us, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Bob Lei Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Bob Lei.
Designer Interview of Bob Lei:
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?
BL : I studied design in Macau and working in China for 4-5 years, then came back to Macau to setup my own design studio - Todot in 2013. Design chose me to be a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
BL : Todot design is a multi-disciplinary design company based in Macau. Our team members are form different place, thus we have a wider horizon on looking design problems due to our cultural background.
DI: What is "design" for you?
BL : Design brings me joy.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
BL : Poster, logo and book.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
BL : The best is yet to come.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
BL : Maybe a logo.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
BL : My own desktop.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
BL : Late night.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
BL : Artistic quality and usability.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
BL : It’s complicated.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
BL : It’s complicated too.
DI: What makes a design successful?
BL : We are always looking for this answer.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
BL : It must looks really good, very attractive.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
BL : Take seriously on our every design output.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
BL : We don’t think about that, we just focus on our own project right now.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
BL : The recent design exhibition was held in Taiwan. We are looking for some more opportunities to showcase our products.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
BL : Inspiration are always come from our daily life and some are from books, music or art piece.
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?
BL : We don't care about design 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?
BL : I’m living in Macau. My city gave me everything i need in cultural aspect.
DI: How do you work with companies?
BL : Communication is the first step to know if we can work out something exciting together.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
BL : Scan the designers’ portfolio first. Portfolio is important for clients to choose a suitable design company.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
BL : Sleep well first.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
BL : Ultratime 001, Ultratime Zero, Mac, iPhone and pillow.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
BL : Chill out with friends and get back to work after the party.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
BL : Stay hungry, stay foolish…and one more thing, stay heathy.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
BL : Being a designer will make you think different, but sleep less.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
BL : The best designers have the biggest dustbins.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
BL : Keep learning, keep learning, keep learning…
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
BL : A pen and a notebook.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
BL : The deadline will tell you how to do.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
BL : It really depends on the nature of the project.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
BL : Who is your favourite designer?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
BL : Leave your comfort zone and keeping pushing your limit.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
BL : We are currently woking with a local cake shop call Iun Loi.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
BL : We love what we do, thus we enjoy all type of design work…but higher budget will make us happier :)
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
BL : We will put more effort on ultraworks, our own product brand, provide more high quality and interesting product for people.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
BL : Most of the time we come up with our own ideas and vote out the best one, then refine the idea together.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
BL : We are now working on a card holder.
DI: How can people contact you?
BL : info@todot-design.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
BL : No, thanks.