We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Jackson Y. K. Chia ("JYKC").
In 2007, Jackson Y. K. Chia founded DESIGN GALLERY, an interior design and consultancy firm based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. He studied in Architecture but began his career in interior design instead. On top of the years of experiences, the passion in art and love of interior architecture, has shaped him into the creative and innovative designer he is today. He has the desire to create designs that exceed clients’ expectations; The obsession of quality and the attention to the interior details.
Jackson Y. K. Chia Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Jackson Y. K. Chia.
Jackson Y. K. Chia Design - Dining on 54 Multifunctional Space
Designer Interview of Jackson Y. K. Chia:
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?
JYKC : When im a child i love to draw and paint, the love of art and passion shape me to become an artist today.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
JYKC : I formed DESIGN GALLERY back in 2007, since then we involved a various type of project till this day. We are still learning and experimenting design.
DI: What is "design" for you?
JYKC : Design are the revolution of culture, art and civilization.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
JYKC : I would like to design commercial works most.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
JYKC : My favorite design concept are post modern dynamic, with this concept i could display the indentity to be come the hierarchy kf the whole design.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
JYKC : The reception backdrop feature wall.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
JYKC : Marbles and Wood.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
JYKC : After a study trip from oversea.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
JYKC : The functionality and indentities.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
JYKC : It should be imaginary and fun emotions when i design.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
JYKC : I feel grateful and accomplished.
DI: What makes a design successful?
JYKC : Creatively functional with a strong characteristic.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
JYKC : Concept vs functionality.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
JYKC : Designer play a very important responsibilities of creating a creative functional environment and educate the society the value of it.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
JYKC : Is evolving every day and the future of design will be creatively along technology.
DI: When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
JYKC : My last exhibition is on 2010 at Kuala Lumpur and the next one will be very soon.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
JYKC : Well there were a lof of way to get inspiried one of it is by travelling to other develop countries and explore to other form of art for example playing music.
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?
JYKC : My style are vesertile but most designer call it dynamic concept, what made me explore more this style are the challenge to create a design with creatively strong characteristic and along functionality of the space planing.
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?
JYKC : Im from Sabah, Malaysia a multi cultural rich country where im from. Im still learning other cultures which not in Malaysia so that i could understand the art and civilization evolution towards design.
DI: How do you work with companies?
JYKC : By understanding the business nature and founder of the companies.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
JYKC : My suggestions are the companies need to evaluate and understand the designer character and experiences. Select a designer which is compatible with the companies requirement.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
JYKC : Understand the client, then understand the design objectives, lastly make a creatively and artistic functional design.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
JYKC : 1. Sofa 2. Kitchen cabinet 3. Toilet vanity 4. Dining chair and table 5. Patio seating.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
JYKC : 24 hours is not enough i need 26 hours.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
JYKC : Be passionate of your professionalism and always stay humble and learn.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
JYKC : Know yourself well and be knowledgeable because in the end there is countless comment to the design.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
JYKC : Do not mess up with unit scale and never run out of style.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
JYKC : Solving design problem skill are most important for a designer.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
JYKC : Vector works, Autocad, Sketch up pro, Lumion 12 pro, Adobe Premier Pro and a high end desktop.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
JYKC : Is part of our life and by creating an efficient team of designer are really important for time managment.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
JYKC : It's all depend of project scale size, normally design process may takes 1 or 2 month period.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
JYKC : It's always the budget vs design.
DI: What was your most important job experience?
JYKC : Be humble and open heart to learn from other profesional such as example hotel manager or food and beverage manager.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
JYKC : Listed Companies owner, Hotel owner and Resort owner.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
JYKC : Hospitality and public area, i enjoy creating a lifely artistic enviroment to imprint to the individual.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
JYKC : Same old me, keep on creating more creative functional design to our nation.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
JYKC : I love work as a team.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
JYKC : Im designing a dive hotel so im excited to bring the child out of the individual towards the interior design.
DI: How can people contact you?
JYKC : Well you can always look me up in A' design Award profile and my company social media Design Gallery official page.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
JYKC : Hi im Jackson Y. K. Chia, im from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, my company is Design Gallery, please feel free to contact me for more design sharing knowledge and thank you so much for a the love and support you all given and once again thank you very much.