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

I'm an imaginative and creative being, who looks at the world in an efficient and minimalist perspective. I'm an idealist and strive to create useful, beneficial and sustainable products to further improve society now and in the future. I believe in making good use of time and never wasting precious time, which in itself motivates me every day to be productive in all aspects of life. Beautiful and functional design, being postive and productive are my main motivators.

Thuan Nguyen Designs

We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Thuan Nguyen.

Designer Interview of Thuan Nguyen:

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?

TN : I have always had a creative and artistic side since Ii was a child. I would usually sit alone by myself and sketch cyborgs. I drew detailed features of objects and robots and wondered and imagined what purpose each feature played. When I grew up I studied law and engineering. Engineering for me was much more stimulating and I allowed me to create 3D models which I believed re-enlivened my interest in mechanical parts and design.

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

TN : My company was established in south Australia, and it is named after my son, Vander. After inventing a new locking mechanism, I decided to create a innovative company designing and repurposing architectural hardware to become more modern, ergonomic, efficient and more environmentally sustainable.

DI: What is "design" for you?

TN : Design for me is subjective, and it is for me, the relentless pursuit of perfection of whatever I am trying to achieve.

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

TN : Architectural hardware and whatever can be of great benefit and function to our society.

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

TN : I love my ‘R-squared’ design, it is a unique door handle which is square shaped tilted to resemble a diamond, it has a repeated symmetric undulating pattern around the surface of it’s cover. It has a bold modern industrial look. It can be easily operated by a push of a finger or slowly operated to reduce noise.

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

TN : I first designed and patented a novel locking mechanism which is integrated into all my door furniture.

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

TN : I love to work with aluminium as it is easily to work with, strong and light.

DI: When do you feel the most creative?

TN : When I am presented with a problem I need to solve. The solution is usually inspired by what I see and research. Sometimes designs and solutions will just appear in my mind spontaneously.

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

TN : The purpose and function of design to me is most important, and aesthetics is secondary. However if form and function are not in harmony, I will never be satisfied.

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

TN : Excitement , and I feel the need to share my designs with the world.

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

TN : I feel accomplishment and utter satisfaction

DI: What makes a design successful?

TN : When I create what I perceive as my own attempt at perfection in one form or another.

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

TN : Its uniqueness and novelty and how it merges with its purpose, whatever that may be.

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

TN : I have strong views of designers; I believe that they need to be efficient in all aspects of design, what I mean is, achieving a purpose or function without clutter and a waste of resources whilst creating a beautiful work of art in the process. This would be my ultimate goal and responsibility for me as a designer.

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

TN : I love the diversity of design and designers, I believe with every new generation the ‘design field’ evolves to challenge convention and produce something more perfect or completely different ( if this is still possible).

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

TN : My last exhibition was in November 2019 at the Adelaide Convention Centre , I have plans to Exhibit in Melbourne and Sydney this year.

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

TN : I love geometric shapes, mathematics and physics. The features and shapes in my designs have a mathematical element to them, like in nature, I try to design with symmetry, geometry and patterns. Sometimes chaos and randomness can inspire me too, as I believe chaos gives design the edge and combines elements in design to create novelty.

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?

TN : My designs strive to seamlessly merge form with function. I think this is a common train in my designs and philosophy.

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?

TN : I live in Australia, which is modernising through every generation. Australia has an ancient heritage but its European-Asian influence allows it to re-invent itself constantly.

DI: How do you work with companies?

TN : We collaborate to produce and manufacture my designs. We have a good working relationship.

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

TN : Companies need to be open minded and to listen to designers. A good designer also listens and can solve problems, they can be the hub of creativity to elevate a company from being ordinary to something really unique and special.

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

TN : Usually, I constantly create a problem for myself, e.g, how can I make this design more efficient, more durable and affordable. I then go about designing or redesigning on this basis and I never stop until I am satisfied that I have a perfect design.

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

TN : I love my entry gate which I built and designed, my front door, my entry light feature, kitchen bench stalls and my orange retro couch.

DI: Can you describe a day in your life?

TN : I work when I wake until I sleep, but my imagination is indefinitely restless.

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

TN : Follow your dreams and be yourself and create yourself.

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

TN : Design sometimes is lonely work, as it comes from oneself and if your can not express it outwardly then all that beauty is wasted. Once you have a design in mind and see it in the flesh it is so rewarding, especially if others acknowledge your work.

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

TN : Challenge convention by making it even better.

DI: What skills are most important for a designer?

TN : Be open minded and let everything inspire you, work hard, always learn from mistakes, never give up.

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

TN : I use 3D modelling tools, mostly solidworks as its quick and easy, 3d printing, architectural design magazines and lots of imagination.

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

TN : I usually work after work, meaning that I don’t stop working or designing something until I sleep.

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

TN : It could take one week or 3 years.

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

TN : How did I come up with this idea/design?

DI: What was your most important job experience?

TN : Renovating houses

DI: Who are some of your clients?

TN : Elderly people, people with a disability and renovators and new home builders

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

TN : Designs that fullfill a purpose

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

TN : I want to create a larger range of products for the home and commercial abodes.

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

TN : I develop my designs myself.

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

TN : Yes, I have a more efficient and affordable design in progress, I also have a more techy version where handles can operate with a hand print.

DI: How can people contact you?

TN : They can email me: vanderindustriesptyltd@gmail.com

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

TN : you've covered a lot of ground