Interview with Jackie Lai

Being able to solve spatial limitations and issues ,as well as, being able to make a difference in someone's life on a daily basis is what motivated me to become an interior designer.

It was of my own choice.

I design both commercial and residential spaces. I would wish to venture into furniture design as well.

As a fellow young designer, the best advice that I can offer is to be passionate about what you do. Love what you do and do what you love. Always be eager to absorb new knowledge and keep up with new trends.

To me, a good designer merely comes out with aesthetically pleasing designs. However, a great designer goes far and beyond that. A great designer would be skilled and well versed enough to seamlessly incorporate the functional and personal interests and preferences of the client into the design, making it personalized. The end result would be a design that is able to strike a fine balance between aesthetics and functionality, bringing about maximum satisfaction.

A good design should be one that is innovative, functional, not obstructive and timeless all at once.

A good design helps to bring about a better quality of life both materialistically and non-materialistically. Materialistically, a good design can help to improve one's brand and business, creating economical savings and gains in the long run. On the other hand, non-materialistically, a good design can help bring visual and mental relaxation to one through functional, thoughtful and aesthetically pleasing designs.

I would design DIY accessories for my loved ones as I love making personalized items as they are more unique and special.

A child care centre.

Architect Frank Gehry.

One of my favorite designs is a particular design that had just won a Golden A' Design Award. The concept they used was one that was similar to mine but the way they had chosen to portray it was different. It was a refreshing perspective that I had not thought of before, intriguing me.

I think it is important to always be adventurous and to always be open to fresh ideas and concept; break away from the stagnant, dull daily routines. This way self development and self improvement will come to you much more easily and it will definitely aid in the creative process. How you live your life definitely affects the way you think and the ideas you come out with.

I would have probably pursue nautical studies and work on ships.

To design is to make a change. It is also about finding innovative solutions to everyday problems.

My fellow colleagues in my company as well as my family definitely played the most integral role in supporting me throughout my journey.

My lecturers in my school and colleagues have been generous in sharing their knowledge and expertise with me.

Getting my proposals rejected was definitely a blow to me. Artist's blocks also happen from time to time, leaving me confounded as to how to improve my designs.

Confidence is definitely key. To be confident, one should also have well thought out and solid design inspirations and ideas to sell your proposal.

My goal is to continue producing great designs and to make a difference to the world and society I'm living in.

People would expect to get expert advice on furniture and lighting selections as well as innovative solutions to counter space limitations.

A good design changes the flow of a space. It also gives inspirations to users and helps to improve the efficiency and development of the society.

I am currently working on a resort themed private house that I'm excited about as it would be their first major revamp after 30 years.

The design that I did (Oriental Charm) gave me the most satisfaction as it was exactly how I had envisioned it to turn out. It had not only met my expectations, but also my client's expectations, making it a double win.

I would like for designs and the designers to be given more recognition and to be more appreciated. Designs should not be seen solely as a product but a service and a solution for the society.

The design field is increasingly becoming more technological.

It depends on the size of the project but it is usually about 1-2 months.

I start with finalizing the main concept and inspirations behind it. After which, I will begin space planning.

Every little detail of the design matters, never put anything less than a 100% into any project.

Design sets the trends.

It helps me to achieve a 3D look of how the project will turn out, allowing me to make changes to areas which I am not satisfied in before investing too more cost and effort into something that does not meet my expectations.

Sketch up, 3D Max, Autocard, Vray and Unreal engine.

They help to bring out the concept, improve the spatial experience as well as the brand image.

I would wish for people to ask what is the inspiration and the process behind my design.

How I can incorporate the design/product into my own projects and how it was constructed.

Everyone's input is equally valuable to me.

Mostly design magazines like Cube & d+a.

I believe I am still in the process of honing my skills and that there is much more to be learnt.

Definitely Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Frank Lloyd Wright!

It is an absolute honor to receive such a prestigious award. I will continue to work hard to ensure that I am deserving of this award.

Lime Green, New Zealand, Autumn, I'm not picky when it comes to food, stationery and Christian Dior!

Seeing the look of satisfaction and happiness on my client's face definitely makes me feel motivated to continue to strive to do better and come up with more designs. Feeling appreciated also makes a difference. When the going gets tough, I motivate myself by reminding myself that nothing comes easy - Work hard and the results will follow naturally!

Come to think of it, I was always interested in the art scene. Ever since I was young, music, art and building blocks were my kind of entertainment and fun!

Right now, I'm more focused on just living my life to the fullest. A thousand years later is hard to predict if humans are even still in existence, just like the movie "Ghost Shell".

My passion and interest in making things hand on has been instrumental to my learning journey as a designer. Oriental Charm is one of my first few projects as a young designer in the industry. It is a residential project that is infused with a rich culture and history. It also incorporates the history of my client as well.

My company focus on building meaningful spaces that inspire and enhance user experience. Recently I have a breakthrough in using VR (Virtual Realty) for our projects.

Design for me is about adding value to life. Good design makes you think: why did I not think of that?

Beside designing spaces, I like to design graphic and merchandise that can allow free-flow of style. Designing Tees are one of the expressive works I love to do.

Simple, streamline spaces or product with clean detailing with prominent materials. One example is to have a simple white with high quality stainless steel trimming or black with gold streamline trimming.

My first project is an exhibition space for a booth, a group of us conceptualize an idea of their own and the creative director picked mine. It was built and drew positive feedback and re-affirmed my career as a designer.

Technology is constantly evolving as I am intrigued by the software Unreal Engine that gives a great ambient to the models we made. The material Copper is one of my favourite elements.

I feel the most creative during my coffee time with a design magazine at hand.

The flow and continuity of the concept

Excited and Curious!

Satisfaction and Pride.

A design is successful if someone can feel your passion, skills, and creativity converted into a finished product.

The WoW factor, a good design would really stands out.

Great designers care hugely about the real people who will use the product, service, building or experience they are developing. The designer ensures that solutions meet real needs, whether the users are fully aware of them or not.When it meet real needs, it is part of sustainability.

Design is becoming an increasingly fluid and fast-moving sector, where lead times to market are getting shorter. Technology would be the future and would have an important effect from the supply chain, simplifying production processes, increasing speed and volume as well as reducing unit cost.

My last exhibition is about “The Evolution & Alliance: the beginning of diversity", LINC Gallery, South Korea.The next one would be with A Design Award.

Design inspirations come from day to day life. I feel my creativity by observing, through fashion, architecture and products. Influence is energy and inspiration is drawn from all corners.

I like simplicity with details, details that gives an exclusive outline of the object. It would be perfect if the outline is the metallic element like copper or brass.I approach design as a combination of passion, skills, and ideas converted into a finished product

I live in a metropolitan city called Singapore. The culture in Singapore is defined by the different ethnic groups in the city-state, hence our design created have a diverse cultural identity that defines Singapore. The pros are culture-driven projects were generally well received, appreciated, and preserved by our citizen, cons would be such that it may not be suitable to other countries outside Singapore.

Design is now an equal partner with many enterprises including technology, business, urban planning, science, medicine and education. Design is collaborative.

We need to allow and encourage the flow of creativity for designers, allow them to be updated with the progress of the design projects and make them feel proud of the outcome.The company should select the designers based on their passion and character.

Site analysis forms the groundwork, research, iterations, prototype , trial and launch.

Grammophone, Nakamichi Speaker, My lego house, Nespresso machine and my sport shoes.

Breakfast, Studio, Lunch, Studio, Dinner, Family...

I would like to tell the younger generation of design students this pragmatic process of making ideas tangible and design should result in a particular ability to make things simple.

Besides having several designer parties, being a designer is to allow passion infuse into his or her works. However in some countries, designer are underappreciated and need to be recognized as a professional.

Be conscious of your spaces, design is all around you, everything man-made has been designed, whether consciously or not.

Design evolves quickly. Stay Hungry for knowledge. Influence is energy and inspiration shall drawn from all corners.

Any books and surroundings can be an inspiration. I hate to say but Internet has plenty.

Extreme time require extreme measures.

It ranges from 5 min to weeks..

That I earn big bucks

The most important part of the experience is the opportunity to travel and meet oversea like-minded designers.

I did a range of projects from residential and commercial. More recently is the Corporate Suites for Formula One Singapore,a cluster of spa projects Natureland in Singapore and a futuristic project in Marina One Residences.

I like to do commercial hospitality projects as it really allow creativity to be performed to the max.

I would like to acquire more hospitality projects and to engage more in technology and online platform.

Yes I have a team and we brainstormed it together

I am on this pro-bono project in exploring cultural & heritage conservation had also brought to life the projectnamed “The Cha Project” to revive the only Chinatown in Kolkata, India.

Interest parties can contact me via email, jackie@copperda.com or jackie@jiastudios.com