Interview with Thuan Nguyen
I'm an imaginative and creative being, who looks at the world in an efficient and minimalist perspective.
Design Legend Interview
20 May 2019
I studied and graduated from a Bachelor of Laws and Arts degree in 2006. I recommenced my studies in engineering in 2013, which are still ongoing. Whilst studying engineering I learnt how to design on a 3D modelling platform. Ever since, I’ve been designing in 3D and with the use of 3D printing I create real 3D models.
During my years of renovating houses, I gained an interest in Architectural hardware and I knew that I could improve on design and function of many of the existing products. I then embarked on inventing a locking mechanism for doors which can operate ‘linearly’ as opposed to pivotally. Thereafter, my designer instincts led me to create beautiful and novel door furniture.
I chose to be a designer, I love art, design and engineering. I can not live without it.
I design high end door furniture which is also ergonomic. I wish I had the time and resources to create more of my beautiful door furniture.
Hahaha, I love how I’m referred to as a legend. I hope that young designers never give up challenging convention and to let their young uncorrupted minds think out of the square to embark on new frontiers and advance human knowledge and perspective.
A great designer never allows their talent to be wasted, they need to hone their innate talents and exhibit them to the world.
To me a good design seamlessly merges form with function, its efficient, intuitive but surprisingly ingenious.
A good design is invaluable as it benefits society as opposed to poor design which can be burdensome and destructive to society and the environment.
Good design means benefits in the longer term to all life, I mean that literally… and life is always worth investing in.
Good design means benefits in the longer term to all life, I mean that literally… and life is always worth investing in.
I would design a space craft to sustain life beyond the earth, I would design this for my children (and everyone else of course).
My dream project is to build my house overseeing views of mountains, valleys, forest and the sea.
Always follow your instincts, dreams and challenge convention.
My design of the linear locksets, which I believe is a more efficient and durable solution to conventional door locks.
To learn from mistakes; not be afraid to make mistakes and to accept them. More importantly, be strong enough to move on and make it even better.
An engineer or a scientist.
Design for me is the relentless pursuit of perfection in whatever I am trying to achieve. Therefore, it is like a vessel between me and the world which makes me complete as far as I can be.
My imagination and will.
Technology and learning to 3D model.
Through design competitions, exhibitions, online social platforms
More ergonomic, efficient and beautiful architectural hardware.
For people and the society to use my designs to improve everyday life.
To continue the good design and further collaboration with other designers on projects.
It improves society by create a more efficient, durable and appealing solution.
Better looking and functioning door furniture to create that new look to your home or commercial premises.
Designing the linear lockset, as I received a patent for it which protects the design for up to 20 years.
I have only recently been part of this industry and I may not be in a position to comment about the industry.
The sky’s the limit, design is in all fields of human study and knowledge, from architectural hardware to molecular biology and chemistry.
Anywhere from 1 month to 3 years.
On my trustworthy sketch pad then I move onto modelling it on a 3D platform.
It keeps on changing but, I think I’ll settle on, ‘live without regrets’.
Definitely design sets trends, trends are definitely is a by product.
It plays a very important role, designs can be realised very quickly by technology, for example, 3D printing made my prototypes possible within 2 days.
I use an engineering 3d modelling software called Solidworks and a 3D printer.
Color is subjective and some colors may be more appealing to some than to others, materials give a sense of quality and whether the design is tangible and feasible, ambience puts relevance and context of the design. All three elements need to be present and in harmony to create a good design.
Where can I buy one?
I should have come up with that!
Someone who is passionate, motivated and just as or more creative.
My very close friends and family.
Unfortunately, I have not had the time to read many books, I rather flick though architectural design magazines.
Through a lot of practice and patience, trial and error.
Albert Einstein.
This is my first major award. So I can tell how it is.
I love bright blue, I love the being close to the sea, I love beautifully presented food with lots of vibrant colors like salads, love Ducati motorcycles I don’t really do brands.
I am still waiting for that memorable moment, maybe A'Design awards will be that memorable moment.
To win and be recognised by other designers of your work.
I think so. I’ve always had a good eye for good design.
One thousand years from now, wow. Well, I think humans would be genetically and technologically enhanced and have migrated into space with human colonies inhabiting nearby planets, moons and space stations. Sustaining life by extracting abundant resources found on other planets and living harmoniously and peacefully with each other.
Watch this space!
Designer Interview
24 May 2019
I have always had a creative and artistic side since Ii was a child. I would usually sit alone by myself and sketch cyborgs. I drew detailed features of objects and robots and wondered and imagined what purpose each feature played. When I grew up I studied law and engineering. Engineering for me was much more stimulating and I allowed me to create 3D models which I believed re-enlivened my interest in mechanical parts and design.
My company was established in south Australia, and it is named after my son, Vander. After inventing a new locking mechanism, I decided to create a innovative company designing and repurposing architectural hardware to become more modern, ergonomic, efficient and more environmentally sustainable.
Design for me is subjective, and it is for me, the relentless pursuit of perfection of whatever I am trying to achieve.
Architectural hardware and whatever can be of great benefit and function to our society.
I love my ‘R-squared’ design, it is a unique door handle which is square shaped tilted to resemble a diamond, it has a repeated symmetric undulating pattern around the surface of it’s cover. It has a bold modern industrial look. It can be easily operated by a push of a finger or slowly operated to reduce noise.
I first designed and patented a novel locking mechanism which is integrated into all my door furniture.
I love to work with aluminium as it is easily to work with, strong and light.
When I am presented with a problem I need to solve. The solution is usually inspired by what I see and research. Sometimes designs and solutions will just appear in my mind spontaneously.
The purpose and function of design to me is most important, and aesthetics is secondary. However if form and function are not in harmony, I will never be satisfied.
Excitement , and I feel the need to share my designs with the world.
I feel accomplishment and utter satisfaction
When I create what I perceive as my own attempt at perfection in one form or another.
Its uniqueness and novelty and how it merges with its purpose, whatever that may be.
I have strong views of designers; I believe that they need to be efficient in all aspects of design, what I mean is, achieving a purpose or function without clutter and a waste of resources whilst creating a beautiful work of art in the process. This would be my ultimate goal and responsibility for me as a designer.
I love the diversity of design and designers, I believe with every new generation the ‘design field’ evolves to challenge convention and produce something more perfect or completely different ( if this is still possible).
My last exhibition was in November 2019 at the Adelaide Convention Centre , I have plans to Exhibit in Melbourne and Sydney this year.
I love geometric shapes, mathematics and physics. The features and shapes in my designs have a mathematical element to them, like in nature, I try to design with symmetry, geometry and patterns. Sometimes chaos and randomness can inspire me too, as I believe chaos gives design the edge and combines elements in design to create novelty.
My designs strive to seamlessly merge form with function. I think this is a common train in my designs and philosophy.
I live in Australia, which is modernising through every generation. Australia has an ancient heritage but its European-Asian influence allows it to re-invent itself constantly.
We collaborate to produce and manufacture my designs. We have a good working relationship.
Companies need to be open minded and to listen to designers. A good designer also listens and can solve problems, they can be the hub of creativity to elevate a company from being ordinary to something really unique and special.
Usually, I constantly create a problem for myself, e.g, how can I make this design more efficient, more durable and affordable. I then go about designing or redesigning on this basis and I never stop until I am satisfied that I have a perfect design.
I love my entry gate which I built and designed, my front door, my entry light feature, kitchen bench stalls and my orange retro couch.
I work when I wake until I sleep, but my imagination is indefinitely restless.
Follow your dreams and be yourself and create yourself.
Design sometimes is lonely work, as it comes from oneself and if your can not express it outwardly then all that beauty is wasted.
Once you have a design in mind and see it in the flesh it is so rewarding, especially if others acknowledge your work.
Once you have a design in mind and see it in the flesh it is so rewarding, especially if others acknowledge your work.
Challenge convention by making it even better.
Be open minded and let everything inspire you, work hard, always learn from mistakes, never give up.
I use 3D modelling tools, mostly solidworks as its quick and easy, 3d printing, architectural design magazines and lots of imagination.
I usually work after work, meaning that I don’t stop working or designing something until I sleep.
It could take one week or 3 years.
How did I come up with this idea/design?
Renovating houses
Elderly people, people with a disability and renovators and new home builders
Designs that fullfill a purpose
I want to create a larger range of products for the home and commercial abodes.
I develop my designs myself.
Yes, I have a more efficient and affordable design in progress, I also have a more techy version where handles can operate with a hand print.
They can email me: vanderindustriesptyltd@gmail.com
you've covered a lot of ground