We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Cheng-Jay Tsai ("CT").

Cheng-Jay Tsai received his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design from Shih Chien University, Taiwan. He was a one-year exchange student in TH Köln, Germany. He is currently a graduate student in Applied Arts at National Chiao Tung University, Taiwan. He has rewarded the MOE Scholarship Program in 2019 and will engage in advanced studies at ArtCenter College of Design, USA. He majors in Industrial Design, especially in product design, design thinking, and computer graphics in modeling emphasis. He had an internship in WHYIXD Studio for three months. With the experience of being an assistant in a class, design studio, and teamwork, he has the organizational skills to arrange a lecture, a presentation, and an exhibition.

Cheng-Jay Tsai Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Cheng-Jay Tsai.

Designer Interview of Cheng-Jay Tsai:

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?

CT : In my studying path, I noticed that I have a logically but unique sense to tell a story with all kinds of visual communication techniques. As a product designer, it gave me the right platform to deliver my creative ideas and enjoy the moment I am doing it.

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

CT : I am an industrial designer now working with the CMF trends research team in Taiwan. I am also currently a graduate student in industrial design studies. I have spent one year in an exchange program in Germany and a one-year scholarship program at ArtCenter College of Design in 2019.

DI: What is "design" for you?

CT : Designers care about social harmony and improvement that happens in real life. We are trying to break through the boundary in our field and search for opportunities for cooperation. Thus, there will become sparkles from different environments and cultural diversity through design.

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

CT : I will concern more with the full process that leads my audience from the beginning to the end. If it's my inspiration, then I will ask myself what led me to this stage and communicate with the people who are not following my mindset from the beginning. Like aesthetics, convenience, they are all substances that fill my design process make sense and complete.

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

CT : I usually focus on the CMF Design concentrates on the fundamental principles of the use of colors, materials, and finishes to customize products. Also, this area of expertise is what I will keep getting advance in my design method.

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

CT : It has been the eighth year since I first studied industrial design in College. I just experienced the era that 3D printing and Arduino started being widely used in the classroom and small studio. Nowadays, product design department students need to learn code programming and have an interactive or video demo for the final presentation. Compared with our instructors' learning path, we have more dynamic tools with more digitalize professional techniques. As the new 3D tools keep popping out every year, and it seems impossible to become experts from all of them. Once you realized that background, I would suggest making our techniques and knowledge concentrate on becoming an expert in particular subjects. Our instructors' career path is not necessarily prepared for our generation, but making fair use of and integrating the internet world's influence with knowledge focus will bring about more professional career opportunities.

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

CT : Being a designer is a job, and I couldn't integrate my work and life with the same value. If I feel stuck in my works, I will take a break or swiftly try the other tasks. We are not always in an artist-like working scenario and don't forget we are all humans that will feel tired.

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

CT : I usually start my design by sketching and drawing. Quick sketches and prototypes are helpful in every design process.

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

CT : I have rewarded the MOE Scholarship Program in 2019 and will engage in advanced studies at ArtCenter College of Design, USA.

DI: How can people contact you?

CT : my social networking and email can be found at jamestsai.com

DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

CT : I want to thank you all for the great interview and the people who have interested in my works.