We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative WEN HSUAN TAI ("WHT").
HSUAN Interior Design is professional to draw up well communication with space via unimpeded flow and illumination layout. Director takes a firm stand on the utilization and quality of the materials that reveals his definition of home. He is good at listening to the needs of the clients, try his best to avoid traditional thinking and dedicate to find the initial dream of the relationship between life and space for the customers.
WEN HSUAN TAI Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by WEN HSUAN TAI.
WEN HSUAN TAI Design - Proto Headquarter Office
Designer Interview of WEN HSUAN TAI:
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?
WHT : I have always love to sketch ever since I was a child. The art museum near my house is where I enjoy spending my time the most. Become an interior designer has fulfilled my childhood dream. The pursuit of beauty and passion for the past, present and future of interior design and a willingness to learn new things everyday is my goal of being a designer.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
WHT : The members of my design studio include myself, my wife and couple assistants. The majority services we provide are interior design and space planning.
DI: What is "design" for you?
WHT : When design connects with humanities, it creates conversations and brings people together.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
WHT : Back to the basics and organic.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
WHT : My designs has to be functional and be able to suit the needs of my clients. Functional, organic and simple shapes are my principle for design.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
WHT : I designed a large dining table, which can also be used as a conference table. In this way, we can all work, eat, and share things here.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
WHT : I like natural materials such as stone, wood, and steel
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
WHT : I feel most creative when all my team members collaborate on a case, being able to brainstorm for ideas and get inspired. This contributes great value.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
WHT : I am more focus on the design that combines practical function and elegant.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
WHT : I feel challenged.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
WHT : I feel very excited and motivated.
DI: What makes a design successful?
WHT : Customer support and adherence to design.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
WHT : If it is able to solve the client’s problem.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
WHT : Designers can lead the direction of design practice. We must carefully choose a design method that is friendly to the environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
WHT : Design is inseparable from life. Everything can be improved in function and beauty through design.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
WHT : I wish myself will be able to accomplish more projects and share my design with the world.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
WHT : Art music gourmet tourism.
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?
WHT : Simplicity is the concept of my design. I always believe that Less is more! I hope my design can bring people more interaction with the environment. It is characterized by a bright, clean and organic 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?
WHT : I was born in Taipei, Taiwan. Taiwan is a multicultural society. We absorb and respect all different cultures. It ’s a challenge for people to try something new.
DI: How do you work with companies?
WHT : We work as a team. I usually set up goals and give directions, the rest of the details will be implemented by team members.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
WHT : Designers must be good at expressing ideas and understand customer needs. Rational design to achieve the goals.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
WHT : Communicate and well understand clients need, than gather design solutions and user experience to share with clients.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
WHT : Kitchen, bathroom, living room, master bedroom, and terrace.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
WHT : My motto in life is to "work hard and play hard". During the day I make sure all projects are in progress and on time with my team. We resolve all design challenges together. After work I enjoy fine dining with my wife, we both appreciate good foods. We also like to enjoy fine wine and music before bedtime.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
WHT : Advocate design while communicating more empathy.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
WHT : As a design I train myself become a person who have great empathetic in fulfill clients need and pursuit perfection in all design details. In same way sometimes in order to reach that perfection you became what people refer as "Difficult".
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
WHT : Negative and Positive space. Less is more!
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
WHT : A good communication, coordination between clients and your team. Also a great time management skill, most importantly up to date design knowledge.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
WHT : Design Books, pen, notebooks and sketch paper.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
WHT : We usually assign the project base on priority.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
WHT : It all depends on the size of the project. Most small size residences interior design can be completed within 3-4 month.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
WHT : What design do you consider to get the best user experience?
DI: What was your most important job experience?
WHT : I have worked in an architectural design firm once. Since I started my position there from a ground level which I learned everything from the fundamental skill. This experience allowed me to accumulate a solid design background.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
WHT : My clients include private residents, restaurant owners, private practice doctors and many business owners who demand interior design for their facilities.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
WHT : Residential design because I believe "home" is a place where you fulfilled your dream.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
WHT : I would like to build a house in the forest.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
WHT : I am always a team player and I enjoy working with people, learn from team member to develop design concepts.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
WHT : We are working on a new restaurant design.
DI: How can people contact you?
WHT : www.hsuanyu-design.com
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
WHT : No, thanks.