We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Apiwat Chitapanya ("AC").

Actually, I studied Fine Art, Printing Branch. Since, I studied M.A. of applied art at Silpakorn University, Thailand. There is design subject that made me know the world of design. After that, I had visit BIG+BIH, design event in Thailand, It made me interesting in and open my mind to design work. I made my accessories product such as ceramics vase, wood lamp and small decorating object. Afterwards, I had a chance to design for other companies that allow me to try more material such stainless welding, metal and brass casting. These made me fun and develop my design.

Apiwat Chitapanya Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Apiwat Chitapanya.

Designer Interview of Apiwat Chitapanya:

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?

AC : I have a passion for art and graduated in Fine Art. After that, I finished master's degree in Applied Art. I have a chance to work with Furniture Design, so it made me crazy about that. Eventually, I falling in love and become a designer.

DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

AC : MASAYA is a brass furniture brand with the fundamentals of producing artistic and unique products. All our products are inspired by nature where each one of it has its own story. We pay attention to details, striving to deliver the best and most different products in the market.MASAYA’s products designs stem from our everyday fundamental shapes and enhancing those simple shapes into a product that fits in every home. Like our mother brand, Asia Collection, our products are majestic, with the combination of brass, stainless steel, marble, and one of a kind wood. We serve modernized furnitures that fit into anyone and everyone’s lifestyles.

DI: What is "design" for you?

AC : For me, design is an art. In addition to taking into account the utility and artistic. It needs to communicate the identity of the designer.

DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?

AC : Furniture, especially the furniture made of Metal. Moreover, I am fond of combine with many materials to my furniture.

DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

AC : My favorite design is furniture art because it gives more psychological value than usefulness.

DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?

AC : It is the side table made of Brass with casting technique.

DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

AC : My favorite one are the metal such as stainless steel, brass, aluminium with many kind of techniques.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

AC : I am not sure, sometimes creativity is gushed out on its own.

DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

AC : I emphasize the art of the most artistic while designing.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

AC : I'm obsessed.

DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

AC : I like my design. However, I still think that there could be more development in the next.

DI: What makes a design successful?

AC : I think the design is successful must be designed to meet the objectives, outstanding and unique. Moreover, It should create the new experience for users.

DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

AC : My first aspect is functional could meet the objective or not?

DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

AC : Quality work with the most cost effective material in the workpiece.

DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

AC : Design is boundless. Whether it is material, technology, technology, functional or concept. You can not imagine it.

DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

AC : Last exhibition is between Milan Design Week 2017, 4-9 April, 17 at Ventura Design District. And I do not have a plan yet to next exhibition.

DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

AC : Most of my designs are inspired by natural beauty and the surrounding environment. Usually likes to observe things around and bring new interpretations are always around. Finally, these are a data warehouse for designing.

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?

AC : Furniture is the interpretation of the artistic beauty.

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?

AC : I live in Bangkok, Thailand. Even though my design is contemporary style but the process is handmade by Thai craftsmanship.

DI: How do you work with companies?

AC : I involve the sections of design and take care of the production.

DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

AC : The company must have a clear design approach and ready to develop new work with designers. The good designer is the designer who can work well with the company and has the same attitude to work in the same direction.

DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?

AC : I take inspiration from the things around you a starting point in the design. Then made several drafts. Finally, select the complete draft through the thinking process of production.

DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

AC : Armchair, Sofa, Coffee Table, Side Table, and Lamp

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

AC : Usually, I like to carry a small sketchbook to take notes or sketch new forms of work in order to store them as data. Moreover, I often like to travel to find new inspiration.

DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

AC : First of all, there must be a passion for the design. Then look for inspiration, then strive to make it come true.

DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

AC : The advantage is that the design can work anytime, anywhere, and you can work on your design entire your life.

DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?

AC : The most important thing in my design, It must be a development job and different from others

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

AC : Need to learn production process and materials so that designs would come out perfectly.

DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

AC : Sketchbook and Pen.

DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

AC : The time between design thinking Those times will also be spent on other inspirational searches as well.

DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

AC : Designs can not predict how long it will take because there are many factors. Sometimes it takes a few months or a year.

DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

AC : What is the good design?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

AC : Development works with artisans and learning about materials and processes.

DI: Who are some of your clients?

AC : Distributors, Interiors, and Architectures.

DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

AC : Furniture because furniture is a fascinating and elegant for me.

DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?

AC : I will continue to design work. Because it stimulates my life.

DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

AC : I do it by myself.

DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

AC : I have some but I cannot talk about it right now.

DI: How can people contact you?

AC : You can contact me via email address w_a_t@hotmail.com, line id: watchita and www.apiwatchitapanya.com