We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Ying Chi Huang ("YCH").
DEVA DESIGN began as an interior design company but has expanded and offers services in the areas of architecture, landscaping, lighting, sustainability, branding and graphic/package design. DEVA Design is also a qualified contractor and can offer design build services to its clients.
Ying Chi Huang Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Ying Chi Huang.
Ying Chi Huang Design - Innovation Center Kitchen Lab
Designer Interview of Ying Chi Huang:
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?
YCH : I am fortunate to have majored in interior design from the very beginning. I have been passionate about design since when I was a student in school. I have been met with many design challenges in the course of my career, which have kept me on my toes and fueled my curiosity of areas that are still unknown to me
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
YCH : DEVA DESIGN started out as an interior design company. Through collaboration with top notch contractors, DEVA DESIGN now offers services in the areas of architecture, landscaping, lighting, sustainability, branding and graphic/package design.
DI: What is "design" for you?
YCH : Design is a way to improve the quality and convenience of life
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
YCH : I like any work that gives me the chance to showcase my professionalism
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
YCH : A design that fits into its surroundings. I admire designs that utilizes the environment that it is in and creates a space that allows the users to enjoy and relax.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
YCH : KFC restaurant design
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
YCH : Nature materials. Materials that feels authentic, down to earth. Materials that feels human.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
YCH : It is a mysterious time that is hard to pinpoint
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
YCH : Concept in every design work
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
YCH : Sense of urgency, sense of want
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
YCH : Pleasant and relaxed
DI: What makes a design successful?
YCH : The amount of thoughts and critiques that are put into it
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
YCH : Whether the design makes sense
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
YCH : Designers are responsible to using materials that are sustainable and environmentallyfriendly and introducing clients to this idea.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
YCH : The ability to ’design ’ will no longer lay upon designers. There will no longer be a ‘right’ way to design. When the aesthetic becomes a common trait in a society, everyone can be a designer.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
YCH : We have never held an exhibition. However, we hope there will be a chance in the near future to showcase our designs
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
YCH : Design inspiration is often bounded by the client brand and positioning. The internet is a great place for observing new things and for self-improvement. Traveling is also a way for me to feed my creativity. Traveling allows us to enjoy the delicacy of life
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?
YCH : I don’t have a distinct design style. However, I would say that my strength lies in simple and modern design
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?
YCH : I live in Taiwan. Taiwan was colonialized by different countries in the past. This means that we can often see different architectures and cultures left over from that period of time. The end results of the mixing of the culture and architectures are not necessary well matched or blended, due to the short time span of each colonialization. However, this also provides the opportunity for us to learn to critic and differentiate between the good and the bad elements.
DI: How do you work with companies?
YCH : Nonstop communication and discussion, and then provide professional advices
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
YCH : A good designer will provide professional ideas and advices, which means after company selects a designer looking at their background and experiences, companies should trust what the designer has to offer
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
YCH : Understand the brand strategize brand positioning planning design execution
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
YCH : I have never invested in design items
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
YCH : Meeting followed by design followed by meeting followed by design
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
YCH : Never be afraid to try out new things
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
YCH : We are more sensitive to things that are aesthetically pleasing in our everyday life, which means sometimes we splurge on design items while telling ourselves that the purchase was an investment
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
YCH : Listening, analyzing, creating, executing
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
YCH : The ability to learn new things, especially knowledge outside of the scope of design
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
YCH : I mostly use Autocad and hand drawn
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
YCH : It is very important to have and follow a timeline at very stage. Design can be emotional, however time management will always be rational
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
YCH : It really depends on the case we have in hand; it is hard to say.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
YCH : Why? Why not?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
YCH : All of my job experiences enrich my design career, all of them are very important to me
DI: Who are some of your clients?
YCH : Chain restaurants, car showroom, residential
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
YCH : Works that are innovative. Innovation is always something admirable.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
YCH : I plan to stay in design, as long as I can still contribute to this industry
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
YCH : We work as a team
DI: How can people contact you?
YCH : Deva design T / +86 21.61252118 M / design@e-deva.com W / www.e-deva.com