We, as the Designer Interviews ("DI") had the distinct pleasure and opportunity to interview award-winning, most creative and innovative Tim Jen ("TJ").
squaremeter Design Studio specializes in interior design with a focus on the integrated planning and execution of commercial and residential spaces. Its team develops site-specific commercial environments by incorporating local cultural context and spatial functionality, while offering highly customized solutions for residential interiors. The company explores the application of diverse materials across varying conditions and collaborates across disciplines to deliver end-to-end services, from conceptual development to on-site execution. Through strategic spatial thinking and material research, it remains attentive to user experience and everyday interaction, continuously engaging in the dialogue between built environments and societal change.
Tim Jen Designs
We are pleased to share with you original and innovative design work by Tim Jen.
Tim Jen Design - Izakaya 9am 5pm Restaurant
Designer Interview of Tim Jen:
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?
TJ : I hold a Master's degree in Interior Architecture and Design and have been working in the field for over 10 years. Since childhood, I have had a passion for art and space, enjoying turning imagination into tangible environments. Becoming a designer was a natural choice because I wanted to improve people’s lives through design.
DI: Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
TJ : I am currently the Design Director at Squaremeter Design Studio, a firm focusing on restaurant and residential spaces. We emphasize integrating local culture and sustainable materials to create spaces with meaningful stories.
DI: What is "design" for you?
TJ : Design, to me, is a bridge that solves problems and enhances quality of life. It combines aesthetics and functionality, creating emotional connections between people and spaces.
DI: What kinds of works do you like designing most?
TJ : I enjoy designing restaurant and residential spaces most, as these require not only functionality but also a unique cultural atmosphere that conveys warmth and stories to the users.
DI: What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
TJ : My favorite project is “Izakaya 9am 5pm,” a restaurant that uses local materials and cultural elements. It successfully integrates regional identity into the design, creating an authentic and lively spatial experience.
DI: What was the first thing you designed for a company?
TJ : The first project I designed for a company was a small café, where I was mainly responsible for space planning and interior renovation.
DI: What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
TJ : I prefer natural materials such as wood and stone because they have natural textures and warmth, and are more environmentally friendly.
DI: When do you feel the most creative?
TJ : I feel most creative during brainstorming sessions with my team or when visiting sites in person. Inspiration often comes from the environment and interaction.
DI: Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
TJ : I focus on functionality, material harmony, and cultural integration to ensure the design is not only aesthetic but also practical and meaningful.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
TJ : When designing, I feel excited and focused; it’s a process of materializing ideas full of challenges and a sense of accomplishment.
DI: What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
TJ : When my designs are realized, I feel deeply satisfied and proud, as it is the result of hard work and a gift back to the users.
DI: What makes a design successful?
TJ : A successful design addresses user needs, aesthetic expression, and environmental context simultaneously, and remains accepted and loved over time.
DI: When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
TJ : I first consider whether the design meets functional requirements, then evaluate aesthetics and detail expression.
DI: From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
TJ : Designers have a responsibility to pursue sustainability, respect cultural diversity, and create works friendly to society and the environment.
DI: How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
TJ : Design is evolving by integrating technology and humanities, emphasizing sustainability and social impact. The future of design will be smarter and more human-centered.
DI: Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
TJ : My inspiration mainly comes from nature, local culture, and daily life details. I enjoy traveling and observing people's lifestyles to fuel creativity.
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?
TJ : My style leans toward minimalism and naturalness, focusing on material authenticity and spatial warmth. I aim for designs that reflect cultural depth and practicality.
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?
TJ : I live in Taiwan, where the rich cultural heritage deeply influences my design. The advantage is abundant inspiration; the downside is a limited market scale.
DI: How do you work with companies?
TJ : We value communication with clients, understand their brand and needs, and maintain transparency and collaboration throughout the design process.
DI: What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
TJ : I suggest companies clearly express their needs, respect designers' expertise, and select designers with relevant experience and good communication skills.
DI: Can you talk a little about your design process?
TJ : We start with research, develop concepts and sketches, then move to detail refinement and implementation supervision. Each stage involves close communication with the client.
DI: What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
TJ : My favorite home design items include a handcrafted wooden table, Nordic-style chairs, natural stone lamps, fabric curtains, and minimalist ceramic vases.
DI: Can you describe a day in your life?
TJ : A typical day starts with checking emails, then team meetings, site visits, followed by design work and client communications. Evenings are for reading or traveling to find inspiration.
DI: Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
TJ : Stay curious, keep learning and practicing, and be brave to express your ideas. Don’t fear failure; design is a continuous growth journey.
DI: From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
TJ : The positives include creating impactful work; the negatives involve facing time pressure and challenging client demands.
DI: What is your "golden rule" in design?
TJ : Design must be user-centered, with functionality and aesthetics both essential.
DI: What skills are most important for a designer?
TJ : Creative thinking, communication skills, problem-solving ability, and technical knowledge are key.
DI: Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
TJ : I often use AutoCAD, 3Ds MAX, Adobe Suite; tablets and hand sketches are also indispensable. Inspiration comes from design books and travel experiences.
DI: Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
TJ : I make clear plans, prioritize tasks, and regularly review progress to ensure efficiency.
DI: How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
TJ : Depending on project complexity, it usually takes from a few weeks to several months.
DI: What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
TJ : The most frequent question is, "How do you balance aesthetics and functionality?"
DI: What was your most important job experience?
TJ : Designing “Izakaya 9am 5pm” was a key experience, challenging me to combine culture with modern design.
DI: Who are some of your clients?
TJ : Our clients include local restaurant brands, private homeowners.
DI: What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
TJ : I enjoy cultural fusion restaurant designs most because they tell stories and influence dining experiences.
DI: What are your future plans? What is next for you?
TJ : I plan to expand into international markets and pursue cross-disciplinary collaborations to promote sustainable design.
DI: Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
TJ : I lead a team but also personally engage in design details.
DI: Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
TJ : I am currently designing a residential project integrating natural elements, looking forward to sharing it when completed.
DI: How can people contact you?
TJ : Feel free to contact me via Squaremeter Design Studio’s social media(https://www.instagram.com/squaremeter_designstudio) or email(m2designstudio23@gmail.com ).
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
TJ : I’d like to emphasize that design is not just a profession but a way to impact the world. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.