We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Calix Wong ("CW").
Calix Wong - Born in Hong Kong in 1983. Calix graduated from HKU SPACE in Visual Communication. He is one of the passionate post-80s generation designer since 2005. He worked in a number of local graphic design firms, and experienced a diversity of design issues. His design has been awarded and selected to be the Hong Kong Harbourfront Commission Department in competition. Some of his works have been featured in prominent international design publications. He founded ABCDESIGN in 2010. It is a Hong Kong based design and branding studio specialized in branding, identities, packaging, print, publications and website design.
Calix Wong Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Calix Wong.
Designer Interview of Calix Wong:
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?
CW : When I was young, I played Lego, a building block toy. But I seldom played in a regular way. I created many different things which were very creative. So that I realized I love creating. Besides, I love beautiful graphic, I can't keep my eyes off some interesting graphic stuff. That's why I wanna be a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
CW : My design studio ABCDESIGN was established in 2011. It is a Hong Kong based design and branding studio. We provide full range of design services specialized in branding, identities, event identity, marketing strategy, packaging, print, publications and website design. We also provide solutions of photography, videography service. We believe our passion and creativity will bring energy to our clients.
DI: What is "design" for you?
CW : Design changes things in a better way.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
CW : Logo, brand image.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
CW : Eating. I can't stop thinking when I am eating.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
CW : Typography. It's minor but really matter.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
CW : Happy. I enjoy doing designs.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
CW : I am glad one more design influences the world.
DI: What makes a design successful?
CW : A successful design makes things better, and inspire others.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
CW : A good design should make connection to people, not only beautiful.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
CW : Should try our best to create good thing to the world.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
CW : Design field is still developing in many countries. We need to educate more people how good designs make better world.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
CW : I love talking with people, friends. Chatting always inspire.
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?
CW : I can say "clean and bold". I love to design in a "less is more" way. I avoid adding effects, extra decorative graphic. I design things with "necessary".
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?
CW : Hong Kong. It is an interesting city. The most significant style of East meets West. It helps designers in Hong Kong design in more different style. Even mix and match of East and West culture. We usually designs in bilingual, it is both pros and cons. It's really challenging.
DI: How do you work with companies?
CW : I like to tell clients what I think instead of showing them images.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
CW : A good designer can tell "why" he makes the design, "how" the designs make things better.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
CW : Research first, list out the characteristics of client / company, create concept and idea, talk to others, draw and design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
CW : poster I designed, clock I designed, iMac, Dyson fan, a post card from Tokyo.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
CW : Wake up, get an outfit that make my day happy, go to office, coffee, communicate with clients, design, listen to radio, chat with workmates, lunch, design, take a rest, thinking, design, leave office, running, dinner, chilling at home
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
CW : Don't just focus on the works and computer, talk to people.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
CW : A designer life is juicy, not boring, new things pop-up every minute. A designer can't stop thinking, quite tired.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
CW : Less is more.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
CW : Problem solving. Design is a problem solving process.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
CW : Paper, pen, Adobe, TV, sports, chatting.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
CW : Should make sure to have time doing other things like sports, and let the mind free.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
CW : About 1 month
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
CW : What is your / your company story?
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
CW : Logo. It is fun to include a lot of concepts, ideas stories in just a small icon, and last for a long time.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
CW : Wanna establish a designer brand, including community, products, event etc.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
CW : Both, but mainly design myself.
DI: How can people contact you?
CW : Please drop me an email by calix@abcdesign.com.hk