Interview with Andy Wan

I like drawing and making toys by using raw materials locally from nature during my childhood in a village. I studied interior design in university as I am very interested in it. I directly entered the interior design industry after graduation.

I would start my design process by studying the requirements from client, exisiting layouts and space, followed by creating and marking some sketches. It is of upmost importance that the use of space, style, colours and materials of the furniture should suit the living habits and needs of the homeowners. The overall setting should be calm and relaxing, so that homeowners can enjoy staying home. The sustainability of materials is also an important point to consider.

The most exciting moment is when starting a new project with new criteria and I look forward to seeing the design being transformed to a better design during the journey. I feel contented and pleased when seeing the finishing work, and knowing the client is satisfied with the work.

Be open-minded, always keen to research, eager to learn and aim for improvement are important factors to a designer."We borrow from nature the space upon which we build." - Tadao Ando, the world-class renowned architect. I was inspired by him and believe nature and environment are the irreplaceable elements in interior design, this becomes my rationale in every design.

I furthered my study in Interior Design in UK after graduation in Hong Kong. I founded my own company in 2007 and have gained industry recognition, winning several local and international awards throughout these years. I would like to lead my company to become top 10 interior design company in Hong Kong. My dream design project is to design a Buddhism temple.

My advices to young designers - lay a solid foundation, be keen to learn about new things and technologies, keep up with the passion, maintain a good standard of demand and attitude and build up your own experience which are very essential to your career.

Be proactive and always listen to clients' requirements as after all they are the end users.

Team discussion/ meeting, researching various design aspects, designing and meeting clients mark my daily routine.

I will spare part of my day to read books, magazines and browse websites for new interior design trends, ideas and materials. I keep attending local and international exhibitions and joining competitions to keep up with the industry, and exchange ideas with peer, architects and material suppliers.Recently, more and more clients would like to integrate smart living system into their homes. Clients will appreciate your design idea more when you can give them new insights.

A well designed project is one with no fault, technically realizable and has high standard in finishing. And as important, how much a design fits to the needs and living habits of the clients is the core value of the design. A good design should serve the above function and enhance the convenience of the end users.

I would say the design is complete when all the components needed are thoroughly drawn with materials, dimensions and checked with the technical aspects. I would discuss with the team and present my design to client to see any further comments, modifications or improvements are needed. I would consider the degree of success in relation to the feedbacks from the clients.

I've designed a 20,000 square feet villa in Weihai, a city in China. This project included mutiple floors, garden and an infinity pool, meaning a large indoor area and also outdoor area. Considerations on landscape design, technical and maintenance issues of outdoor seating and entertainments were needed.

Inspired by Tadao Ando, the renowned architect, I like to infuse natural materials into my design.I also find the designs of Patrick Blanc in France and Chi Wing Lo in Italy very impressive. Patrick Blanc is an expert in design with natural materials. Chi Wing Lo is specialized in high end furniture design and production, I am proud of him as a reputable designer originated from Hong Kong.

I like to photo-taking, reading and studying Buddhism. I like street photography the most, as it can improve my perceptiveness and sensitivity, and widen my perspectives on social culture and arts. I gain more knowledge on interior design through reading and exploring. And it is important that Buddhism guides me to live an honest life.

Usually I have my project team to work on a particular design project, I will be the person that leads the project design and supervise all the details. I would like my team members to be detailed-minded for a fit, faultless and good design, while keep an open-mind for more inspirations and possibility of improvement.

I have been making donations to different charities, including one which help aids orphans. My life goal is to set up a charitable foundation to provide homes and education for orphans, so that they all have a chance to live a better life, and may do the same to others when they have the abilities and influence the others.

A' Design Award is a renowned international award that gives designers industry recognition and exposures to different media. Participants also open up their eyes to good design projects, be inspired and connect with designers all over the world. It is good for designers to join not only local, but also international awards to get different experiences.

I grew up in a country side in Hong Kong and has always been influenced by nature and was then inspired to became a designer

I certainly enjoy to design so I'm grateful that I'm a designer

Interior design is what my focus on and I'm devoted to create more home for people who like my design

Focus on your career path and do everything with your whole heart

Determination

Keep improving and never be satisfied

Youre not buying just the good design but paying for the attitude and effort that the designer had put in to create the product

Design a Buddha temple if I ever have the chance

Attention to detail

Chi Wing Lo and Tadao Ando

Love the minimalist design and any design that's sustainable and built with eco elements

Greatest design is yet to come

Learn from the goods and bads

I don't know as I have never thought of that

Design is something that improve our life and I'm using design as a platform to communicate with the world

My family

All the great designers out there that has influenced me by their design

Convincing client to use my design while I was still junior

Any way that the designer feel it represents the best side of their work

You'll be surprised

Use my design to influence more people

Humble and always eager to learn

It connects people and bring harmony to family and friends

I'm excited for all the projects that I work on as each of them are a new opportunity for me to improve

The villa project in China since I love the collaboration I had with that client

More good designers immersed

To something more versatile

At least 6 months for each project

Start by listening to the client's need

Always give your best and never give in

Design set the trends

It helps consolidate the concept and speed up the design process

AutoCAD, 3D Max, Sketchup, Photoshop and Lightroom

They are all the key elements for a good design, the outcome is never the same if either of the element is off the balance

Space and colour use

Salute to the effort that the designer had put in to create that

Chi Wing Lo and I definitely believe in co-design and team work

Too many to be named

Patience and practice

Hans Wegner and Henri Cartier-Bresson

It's certainly not an easy so that's why I'm grateful for everyone who have supported me throughout the journey

White, Italy, meatless, autumn and Leica

Travelling and be inspired

I just know I love design since small and I believed I can come up with some good design one day

There's no more nature and the world is dominated by technology and robots

I found this firm in 2007 and manifests green design philosophy to custom-made projects for my clients.

"Design" for me is something that has a close relation to the nature.

I like to design for residential interior the most.

One of the on going projects in China is my favourite as I get to use implant different styles within a villa.

I designed a boutique located in Hong Kong.

Wood is my favourite material and I also like to use all natural and sustainable materials.

I feel free to create when I am not creating something under pressure nor deadline.

I put my focus on the interior and the use of space.

I feel excited and inspirational during design.

I would be happy and grateful when my designs are realized.

A successful design is one that everyone loves it especially the homeowner.

I look into the overall space use and overall craftsmanship.

Designing something that's sustainable and long lasting and won't age in time is good for society and environment.

It's going to get more versatile and fast moving.

I have been focusing more on online media recently. I have not joined any exhibition by far but I am planning to take part in the near future.

Daily life and everything that surround us is my source of inspiration.

My design style is modern, simple and to custom-made comfort and calm homes for clients. Keeping things clean is the key.

Hong Kong is where I'm from and it's such a fast pacing city that you have to keep up to trend all the time.

Good communication skill, being responsive and proactive, taking on responsibility and maintaining a good standard of demand are the key elements.

After getting the design brief, I will do as much background and style research before getting into the design. While designing, I keep trying and testing until I'm pleased with the outcome.

TV cabinet, light trough, feature wall, kitchen and wardrobe are my favourite design items at home.

Team discussion/ meeting, researching various design aspects, designing and meeting clients mark my daily routine.

My advices to young designers - lay a solid foundation, be keen to learn about new things and technologies, keep up with the passion, maintain a good standard of demand and attitude and build up your own experience which are essential to your career.

Positives are that you will have chances to create new things and design is fun. Negatives are that you have to be able to work under pressure and design is a never-ending process.

My golden rule is "Learn from the good".

Open-minded and always in search to improve every design are important for a designer.

I use freehand sketch and softwares like Autocad, 3D Max, Sketchup and Photoshop.

Sometimes I have to sacrifice my own time for work to have the best design.

It usually takes 1-2 months on design and minimum 4 months to build for interior.

People usually ask me "How to come up with something not the same every time?".

My clients include professionals, bankers, lawyers and celebrities.

I like to start new design, as coming up with a new idea is always fun.

I would like to design a Buddhism temple if I have the chance.

Without the effort of the team members, the design is never the same.

I will keep that a secret and stay tune to our website for the finishing works.

People contact me mainly by email or Facebook inquiry, while some local clients will call my office.