We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Monique Lee ("ML").
Monique Lee, Interior Design Director of Mas Studio Ltd., columnist on interior designs for Capital Weekly, Hong Kong. She has a passion for art since childhood and has always aspired to design for spatial comfort and simplicity. Her designs are well received by clients as a blend of inspiration and functionality. With solid knowledge in architecture and interior designs, she started her career working with land developers after getting professional qualifications in her early twenties. Year 2009 is a milestone when she founded her own company to further her design career. In 2013, she got her first accolade with one of her designs in an interior design award. Since then, her designs have been gaining recognition in different design awards.
Monique Lee Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Monique Lee.
Monique Lee Design - Soda Port Restaurant
Monique Lee Design - George's Restaurant
Monique Lee Design - Ito Restaurant
Monique Lee Design - Xin Ming Yuen Restaurant
Monique Lee Design - Le Utopia Residential
Monique Lee Design - Howard's Gourmet Restaurant
Monique Lee Design - MouMou Club Restaurant
Monique Lee Design - Kaiseki Den Restaurant
Monique Lee Design - Operetta Restaurant
Monique Lee Design - CIAK AllDayItalian Restaurant
Designer Interview of Monique Lee:
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?
ML : My passion for art originates from a school work which received credits from my art teacher.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
ML : A group of young fellows who always ‘work hard play hard.
DI: What is "design" for you?
ML : Design is balance / equilibrium between sense and sensibility.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
ML : New, challenging concepts
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
ML : Interior Design itself
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
ML : An office design
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
ML : Things and happenings around us, new materials.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
ML : It comes anytime.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
ML : Balance between aesthetic beauty and functionality
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
ML : Overwhelmed, elated, thrilled
DI: What makes a design successful?
ML : Work hard play hard
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
ML : Care and conservation, protecting the environment is responsibility of everyone. As a designer, we assume an important role to reduce waste from source.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
ML : Design is not only changing, improving, but evolving to a different attitude to life.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
ML : Last project, Next project
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
ML : People, things and happenings around us
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?
ML : Based on preferred style of the end user to infuse unique elements to create a unique 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?
ML : Hong Kong. No.
DI: How do you work with companies?
ML : Sincerity and Passion
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
ML : Mutual respect. Trust and feel their works and style
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
ML : First, we need to understand the project nature, then, we decide the design style. Next, we proceed to conceptual design draft and 3D graphical presentation. When initial design idea is approved by our customer, we proceed to detailed visual and structural drawing. Finally, we proceed to actual execution of design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
ML : Staircase, Kitchen, Cabinet, Garage, Doorplate, Dining Room
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
ML : Everyday is full of imagination and fantasies.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
ML : Work Hard & Play Hard
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
ML : No boundary for creativity and we could always think outside conventional framework. At the same time, we are always binded by traditions and existing framework.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
ML : Devotion and design with heart.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
ML : Ability to communicate with people and convey messages through visual design elements.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
ML : Things around our everyday life.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
ML : Think carefully before you act to avoid rework of design. A good work life balance.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
ML : It depends on scale of project.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
ML : If the finished design meet the genuine needs of the customer.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
ML : The whole working experience as a green, junior design until today as a leader of a design team.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
ML : Lai Sun Dining Limited, New World Property Management Co. Ltd.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
ML : Design without specific constrains and everything related to design.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
ML : Keep making breakthroughs in design concepts.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
ML : I always work with my design team.
DI: How can people contact you?
ML : info@mas-intdesign.com