Interview with Karen Chang

For me, being a designer is a natural and ideal thing. I have been studying painting since I was very young. Out of love for painting, I chose the major architecture, and after graduation I started my design journey in architecture and interior design.

My family is very supportive of my choice. Going on the road of design is more out of my interest and love.

The design process is given priority in three aspects: “design concept”, “determining the use of space” and “breakthrough point of design concept”.

In the early stage of design, the tools I use the most are paper and pen; and in the later stages of implementing the design, computers are used to assist the design.

When dealing with new projects, communicating with customers first is my biggest concern. Communication can make the design specifically grasp the space requirements, and find accurate design entry points, while at the same time have detailed reference standards for design.

Throughout the design process, there is the joy of inspiration, the tightness of the project deadline, the quietness of being able to fully invest in your thoughts while working. Among them, the moment that getting design inspiration is the most exciting and enjoyable, which is also the most enjoyable in the process.

The biggest joy of design is that I can see the possibility of different thinking, different materials, realize my own ideas, and try to create a new concept of breakthrough design that makes me satisfied.

Architectural expertise is an important part of shaping me to be a designer. Apart from design skills, I am traveling around the world to purchase furniture accessories and to learn more about interior design related products and information, to see design trends, to know new materials, and to gain insights from global innovation.

My design career has been relatively smooth. From being a good designer, to completing hundreds of designs, my life has been immersed in aesthetics and design. Essentially, design has become my way of life.

Fortunately, many people support my design work, and the most important thing is the support of my family and work team partners.

In 1994, I began design work in Taiwan. In 1999, CAC Design was established. In 2004, CAC Design moved to Shanghai. In 2011, the Singapore company of CAC was established. In the future, we will consider the development of design markets in Southeast Asia and Europe and the United States. In the meantime, We are trying to create more creative designs.

To create a space for children to learn effectively, is a design project that I have always dreamed of. I look forward to the opportunity to design a space in a poor mountainous area.

It is recommended that young designers go out to travel, read books, watch exhibitions, and look at different fields of design. It is often difficult for young designers to find design inspiration. Maybe because their life experience are not enough, and they have to keep learning.

It is recommended that designers and architects and owners should fully communicate when doing each project, think from each other's perspective, get a better solution, and make a better and more consistent design.

Personally, interior design is not a “realistic design”. Every designer needs to internalize what he sees and understands, then transform it into design and emphasize the characteristics of certain things.

Before starting a business, I always had a lot of thoughts about design. In the early days of large companies, there were always some collective values and frameworks to follow, but I always thought that it would be the only way to do this?
I want to have a different interpretation of the design, to pursue some self-worth, so I chose to build my own design brand.

In my daily life, I like to empty my mind and try to deep thinking. In addition to browsing magazines and websites in design, I also like to read some books on economics. Whenever I see a fresh, or different, experience from the past, I will feel happy and excited because of this novelty.

Trend is a design condition. In commercial projects, I pay special attention to trends. For example, when doing children's space, I will try to add more children's education trends, for example, adding AI and MR interactive experience in space.

However, the designer should also be very cautious about the trend. Maybe the next second, the trend is no longer a trend.The best way to follow up on trends is to create trends.How to create them? Do design in a way that you have never used, because you have never done that before, it is likely to exist in the future.

The SAVOIR RESORT is out of the trend framework, I get design inspiration from nature and Jiangnan water town.

From a good design, you can see where the designer's focus is, no matter in what form, you can see his thinking. If a designer can implement his design ideas in the project and realize his original thoughts, it is easy for the audience to move or resonate. Good design will also show spatial consistency, using the same or similar expressions, different proportions, and accurately balance.

There are many possibilities for each project, and there are no standard answers to the design. Therefore, the deadline that is often agreed with the customer becomes the final delivery time. We will choose a reasonable time node based on experience.

After the project is delivered, the design team will go to the on-site inspection of the construction and then review it. Of course, we will have more ideas to improve the project. This link is very important, and the accumulation of experience is mostly from this link.

I think that the success of a project is not only good in design itself, but also closely related to the actual evaluation of customers.

SAVOIR RESORT project has gained a lot of recognition in the world. This is an interior design work that I spent five years trying to create. Before the owner invited me to be the designer of this project, the owner had already negotiated with many well-known designers, but the owners were not satisfied with the solutions proposed by these top peers.

When I took over the project, I set up the project to be a unique, highly recognizable and comfortable hotel for leisure vacations. We upgraded the old home to modern living, we use natural materials to make the building Space is integrated into nature, we also made a borderless pool design, allowing the artificial field to coexist harmoniously with the natural environment.

This series of unique designs has made SAVOIR RESORT one of the most satisfying design works. It has also been called “the classic in Chinese hotel projects” by the authoritative media.

Le Corbusior,Louis Kahn,Rem Koolhas has a lot of inspiration for me.

Rem koolhas's design works are highly consistent in architecture and interior, and there is a coherent internal and external echo in space. This comprehensive design thinking is also the design principle that I insist on.

If I have the opportunity to talk to a deceased designer, I want to communicate with Le Corbusior because I think he is mysterious and has a lot of magic in his head. I think he is the most iconic designer in history.

I am from Taiwan and live in Shanghai. My favorite city is Paris. Paris is a fashionable and multicultural city. There are rich and fertile grounds for designers and artists to survive. The city has strong inclusiveness and rich artistic atmosphere. Going to the art gallery in Paris , you will reveal that they are more inspiring than any city's art gallery.

Culture has had a great impact on my design, such as the Chinese architectural space in traditional culture, Paris fashion culture and so on.

Whether it is architectural design, interior design or landscape design, it has a great impact on the city, and the design creates a city's characteristics. In my opinion, the city is like a container, everyone lives here, and everyone is a different individual cultivated in this environment.

Good design adds to the elegance of life and makes life more convenient. For example, the design of the capsule coffee machine simplifies the procedure of drinking coffee, but it does not simplify the feeling of drinking coffee.

I like to create a relaxed working communication atmosphere, listen to the ideas of teammates, and app trengths of teammates. I think that "openness" in work is especially important. "openness" can produce a better discussion atmosphere. At the time of recruitment, CAC Design tends to find people with more than 5 years of work experience, because design experience can reduce the error between design ideas and actual design execution.

For me, the core challenge in the profession is to try to inspire the designer to explore and think about the design, break the limit and make the design richer and more diverse through more listening and communication.

In recent years, CAC Design has continued to try to provide valuable and meaningful design to the society through commercial operations. In 2018, we purchased office space in Taichung City and established an innovation and entrepreneurial platform. We plan to have enthusiastic designer in Taiwan and the China mainland. We provide more opportunities for two-way communication and cooperation.

I am working hard to make CAC a platform for developing and tapping the design potential, where we explore and practice design. I also try to share my design concepts and experiences on this work platform. Therefore, for me, work is like a series of ongoing forums to provide designers with self-exaggeration.

Participating in the international awards A' Design Award, first of all, can help CAC design find its place in the international market; secondly, the competition is also a good learning opportunity, we can intuitively understand and international design through the comments of international judges; in addition, it allows us to understand more diverse international values, culture and design vision, and make designers more international.

Moreover, the A’ Design Award, as an internationally well-known design award, will also help to increase the international recognition of award-winning designers and help designers undertake more international projects.

To be a designer of this era, I feel very fortunate. The design of this era is unprecedentedly fast. It is also an era of inheriting the past and the future. We can draw design nutrients from the works of previous design masters and apply them in contemporary design. These design considerations will also become a reference for future design.

Because of the love of art, I chose to be a designer.

Proactive Select.

With modern design techniques as the mainstay, I hope to try more different design styles.

Design inspiration and vision can be increased through a lot of travel, reading, and visiting art exhibitions.

Every good designer has a unique way to observe things, which a different way of design thinking for everyone.

Can be completed reflect a good design concept in the project and maintain consistency

The value of good design influences the way of life and aesthetics, and it is worth investing.

I have the opportunity to design space for poor mountain children, which is a space where they can provide efficient learning and comfort.
This is exactly what they need, and this is a way to better reflect design value.

Design learning spaces for poor mountain children and design living spaces for elderly people in the city.

Keep a lot of communication with the owners and help them solve problems, while at the same time sticking to their design concepts.

Yes, I was inspired by the masters of Le Corbusior丶Louis Kahn丶Rem Koolhas.

I like all works that are creative, thoughtful, and unique.
Because good design can cause the audience to thinking , it will be moving or resonating.

Savoir Resort is my most satisfying work. It implements the “hidden” design concept, and achieves the consistency between architectural design and interior design. At the same time, it conveys “contemporary Chinese architecture, should not follow the old-fashioned, should convey the contemporary living spirit” The design attitude is balanced between new and old elements.

I keep thinking, traveling, and inspiration by visiting art exhibitions, designing and experiencing life.

Continuously learn skills and expertise.

Design is a combination of sensibility and rationality. I am designing for people's lives.

My team and the owner.

Complete the experience of many projects and the spirit of continuous trial.

Should not be said to be an obstacle, design is the process of solving the problem.

Every good design work deserves to be seen by more people.

Design has become my way of life, I will always do design in the future.

Making meaningful designs for people leaves valuable traces in the world.

Make more and better design works.

Design creates a better society through aesthetics and creativity.

Plan to design a space for children in poor mountain areas to learn.

Let the regional cultural environment and architectural and landscape design concepts extend and maintain consistency with interior design, such as what you see at Savoir Resort

More innovations works that better integrate regional culture and use habits.

In Asia, the city is developing very fast.

It takes 2 to 6 months to complete a commercial project, and it takes 6 to 12 months to complete a hotel project.

Keep communicating with the owner.

Design is a way of thinking and living.

Yes,The best way to catch up with trends is to create a leading trend.

The idea of implementing design.

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Creating a space atmosphere.

Yes, this can express my design philosophy.

Learning and experiencing.

The company team staff are my best partners.

My university tutor once gave me advice: architectural design is the design of space, inseparable from people.

Le Corbusior's vers une architecture book influenced my initial understanding of design.

Practice makes perfect.

I want to meet Kazuyo Sejima，because we are female designers.

Winning these awards is a recognition of my work, encouraging me to focus more on design and make better works.

The favorite color is blue, I like to stay in Paris, I like coffee, my favorite season is autumn, I like to collect some art. The most favorite brand is Hermes.

The most interesting thing that designers have experienced is the design of some wonderful projects.

Each day I will be better than yesterday.

No, I only like art a little when I was a child.

Technology changes lifestyle, scenes in science fiction movies will be realized in future life

None, thank you.

I founded the CAC Design Group in 1999, During the period, we completed nearly 1,000 residence and boutique hotels and commercial spaces. We designed successful cases include: The Puli Hotel with international master Jaya Ibrahim that always considered a classic for luxury hotels a classic luxury hotel in Shanghai; Savoir Resort, one of the most popular buildings in China; Vanke Gong Wang, which opens a new Chinese style in buildings; Sunac Marquis Mansion, which is an iconic building featured with a sense of nostalgia for heart…… When the new Chinese style is not yet popular, CAC DESIGN GROUP has become its trend. Today, we are still constantly exploring and expanding the boundaries of design to create more possibilities.

I think that a broad definition refers to something that reflects the specific state of society. The specific definition refers to a combination of sensibility and rationality. The inspiration for design is not a moment, but a reasonable imagination based on logical thinking.

There are many differences between design and art. For example, in the design industry, “design solves problems, art production and Lenovo thinking”. “Design has a close relationship with money, but art is better off the money.
In my opinion, the difference between the two is different from the way of commercial operation. For example, art is the artist's own point of creation, creating works, and then finding a buyer who resonates; the designer uses the owner as a starting point to find problems, Solve the problem,

I like all creative works that are creative, thoughtful, and unique.
Based on operational experience, many of my design works are based on modern design techniques, and do not specifically define the attributes and styles of space.

I like to be a very complete project that can apply design concepts and people's habits.
A good design not only has a good design concept, but also uses the concept to be smooth and consistent, and it is their customary way for the space user to feel comfortable.

CAC DESIGN 's office.

I like to use natural materials such as solid wood, terrazzo and so on. Natural materials stand the test of time and have a continuous vitality.
I like to browse the platform of design and art. Favorite technology is hand-made materials.

Maybe in the dream.

In addition to the design concept, I am most concerned with the planning of the plan, which is very critical in the design, is a process to solve the problem.

I really enjoy that kind of concentration and excitement.

When my design is implemented, I feel very fulfilled, but sometimes I can do it better with regrets.

I think that successful design should return to people's habits, understand and solve people's needs in space, think about the interaction between people and space, architecture, and maintain spatial consistency.

Whether the design is "people-oriented", whether it really realizes the designer's idea, whether it can see the designer's focus, whether it shows the consistency of space, these are the first considerations when judging the design quality.

1) I feel that designers have a great responsibility for all the beauty of the city. It can affect people's aesthetics and habits.
2) In the West, there are many well-preserved centuries-old buildings that have become beautiful landscapes. Designers are more concerned with how to present a city or country culture that can be preserved by future generations when designing. This is the designer's right social responsibility.
3) For the natural environment, I feel that more or less will destroy the overall environment, designers can only try to minimize damage and take responsibility for the environment. For example, Miho Museum by Ieoh Ming Pei.

At present, the design has entered a period of vigorous development, the design demand is large, the development is fast, and there are many bold and novel designs, which are some advantages of the development of the design field.
In the future, the market environment for design will gradually mature, the pace of development will slow down, and the style will change from single to plural. Designers also constantly think and train skills and think “what do we need and what we want? What is value and meaning?”

The last exhibition was the 2019 iF Design Award winning exhibition in Hamburg, Germany. As long as we have the opportunity, we are willing to let the outstanding design works of CAC DESIGN GROUP participate in the exhibition and let more people around the world discover it.

I was inspired by travel and visiting international art exhibitions: Once, I experienced a mirrored black stone floor in a restaurant on Lake Como, Switzerland, which extended the beauty of the lake into the interior. Later, I also applied the inspiration for this trip to commercial projects.
Get close to the world's best artworks, try to think with the artist's ideas when creating.

Most of my design projects are modern style, with emphasis on spatial proportions, lines and positioning in the design.
During the start-up of the project, I will first communicate with the owner to understand his design needs and ideas, and then tailor it to the owner based on my understanding of the architecture itself and the interior.

I am now living in Shanghai. The history and culture of China have a great influence on my design ideas. It provides a soul for my design.
Chinese cities are developing very fast, and there are also large commercial markets, creating many opportunities for designers, but also because the design pace is too fast, leading to more research on a project.

Identify and appreciate each other.

A lot of communication can make the final result of the project complete and the design concept is better presented.
When applying for talents, our company often looks for excellent designers with more than 5 years of work experience, because experience is very important for designers, which can reduce the error between drawings and actual space.

The first step is to communicate with the owner and understand the problem to use the design concept to help solve the problem. The floor plan is a very critical tool in this communication process, and then there will be a choice of style and materials.
In the design process, reverse thinking is very important. For a space, reverse thinking is to make it an out-of-conventional spatial form.

Most of my favorite collections are items that are not long seen, such as the handmade masks from African tribal workshops, the BABI with African native style and artistic value, and the handmade ones brought back from the French art gallery. Giraffe, the base found in France, is designed with very simple ore artwork, and I also have a Jarre AeroBull Bulldog wireless Bluetooth stereo.

When I am busy, I may be designing all day. When I am not busy, I like to let go and think, and I like to browse the design magazines or websites and watch economic books.

It is often difficult for young designers to find design inspiration. It may be that life experience is not enough. It is recommended that young designers should go out and travel more, study, read books, visit exhibitions, and look at design projects in different fields. Of course, there must be a transition between “seeing” and “doing”, and transforming what you see into inspiration can make a design.

The designer's strengths are creative, insightful and discerning
The most common problem for designers is that time is too limited. On the one hand, they must constantly input new design concepts and learn the use of new materials. Another convenience is to continuously deepen the design project. It is necessary to accurately balance the relationship between time and these skills and ideas.

My principle is that from the perspective of the owner to understand their direction and needs, design with professional skills and inspiration will not be without rules.

The most important thing for designers is the cultivation of aesthetics, professional architecture and interior design knowledge, good grasp of the proportion of space, color, material selection ability, cost control ability, insight, and of course, good communication and coordination.

I often use painting to do design, so the most commonly used tools are paper and pen. There are various tools for assisting painting in the toolbox. Computer software is commonly used in CAD, AI, etc. There are many ways to get inspiration. I often get through exhibitions, travel, and often visit design magazines and websites.

In fact, when I was designing, I often forgot my time. Such high-efficiency investment is also a way to save costs and time.

According to the owner's deadline.

Time is always too limited

The most important work experience is that I have been working here since I founded CAC DESIGN GROUP in 1999. During the period, the company developed from the original two people into a professional team of hundreds of people, completing a number of boutique residential and luxury hotel, commercial space design. CAC DESIGN GROUP has also become a platform for people who love design to communicate and communicate with each other. Through continuous exploration and research and development, we have made a variety of well-recognized designs.

Real estate developers, hotel owners, retailers and private owners with high requirements for life.

I like all creative, unique concepts and design concepts that are complete and fluid. Because good design is easy for the space user to touch, it will bring a lot of thinking to the designer.

In the future, we plan to develop design business in Southeast Asia and Europe.

Teamwork.

Too many.

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