Interview with Lee Pik Shan

Lee Pik Shan ("LPS") interviewed on Monday, 26 June.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

LPS : I hold a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Product Design (IPD) from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Design, and I have gained valuable industry experience from working for 10 years in various industrial design companies. I am currently a startup founder and my design products has received multiple international design awards.

How did you become a designer?

LPS : In general, I was driven by a desire to solve problems and create solutions that could improve people’s lives. My reason for becoming a designer is not only because of the passion I have for creativity, innovation, and aesthetics but I also wanted to find a way to make a positive impact on society. I also tend to enjoy the challenges of finding new and better ways of doing things.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

LPS : As a designer, I create products with a human-centered approach, focusing on solving everyday problems that revolve around the needs and experiences of users. My goal is to design solutions that are both functional and intuitive, enhancing the user's quality of life. I use both technology and my hands when designing. I typically use industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, and Figma for digital designs and 3D modeling software like SolidWorks and Autodesk Fusion 360. I also use a range of equipment such as 3D printers, CNC machines, and traditional design tools like sketchbooks and pencils for physical prototyping and ideation.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

LPS : As a designer, I experience a mix of emotions during the design process. The initial idea phase brings excitement and creativity, but roadblocks can cause stress and frustration. A breakthrough or moment of inspiration brings a sense of pleasure and accomplishment. The design journey can be unpredictable, and emotions can vary at different stages. Seeing my designs come to life and positively impact people's lives is incredibly rewarding and serves as a great source of motivation for me as a designer. Hearing positive feedback from users and knowing that my work has made a difference is also very fulfilling.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

LPS : Becoming a designer was not an obvious path for me, as I initially envisioned myself pursuing a career as an artist. However, as I began to explore different creative fields and learn about the diverse opportunities within design, I found myself drawn to the problem-solving and practical applications of design work.

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

LPS : Becoming a designer was not an obvious path for me, as I initially envisioned myself pursuing a career as an artist. However, as I began to explore different creative fields and learn about the diverse opportunities within design, I found myself drawn to the problem-solving and practical applications of design work. Some of the future plans for the design is to improve the tool and explore potential collaborators with industries that may benefit from our product. We are also considering on expanding our market reach and developing additional designs that could complement Exlicon's capabilities. Being able to make a designer product for myself for enjoyment would be a fantastic opportunity for me to explore new ideas and experiment with different design approaches and materials without feeling pressured to perfect it. It may be inspiring and fulfilling to be able to make an enjoyable product for oneself.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

LPS : Everyone knows it is important to focus on building a strong foundation of design skills and knowledge, as well as learning from experienced designers and mentors. It is also important to practice and try more to find your own unique style. In addition, they should get practice on the potential challenges they may face in the industry, such as tight deadlines, difficult clients, limited budget. It is important to develop resilience, perseverance, and a growth mindset to overcome these obstacles. Moreover, you need to build effective communication and collaboration skills. We always have to communicate with clients, seek feedback, and critique from peers and mentors, which help improve our skill and enhance creativity. Last, the best advice is always adaptable and continuously learn to stay ahead of the curve, seeking feedback and diverse perspectives to enhance our creativity. It is important to keep up with the latest design trends and technologies and seek out diverse perspectives and experiences.

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

LPS : To become a successful designer, young designers should build a strong foundation of skills and knowledge, understand the user's needs, cultivate a passion for creativity and problem-solving, collaborate with others, embrace failure, and stay current with emerging trends and technologies. Becoming a design legend requires talent, hard work, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth.

What is your day to day look like?

LPS : My life is simple, I focus on work from morning until night. I break down complex tasks into smaller and more manageable ones. To avoid distractions and maintain focus on the task at hand, I sometimes take short breaks between tasks and use that time to deal with small, trivial matters. I find that I am most creative at night. The stillness of night lets me feel relaxed and mentally clear, it allows me to focus on the task at hand and let my creativity flow. Thus, I can always wander and explore new ideas at night.

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

LPS : As a designer, I would say staying up-to-date with the latest design trends and technologies is important, as I may draw ideas from a variety of sources. However, I won’t design products reflecting what’s hip this season. I find inspiration in the everyday problems and challenges that people face in their lives, mainly focusing on problem-solving instead of following trends.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

LPS : Personally, a good design should meet the needs, preferences, and expectations of its users while being visually pleasing and functional. It should also incorporate unique and innovative features while taking into consideration usability, aesthetics, functionality, and durability. It must improve the user experience and enhance its functionality while having a positive impact on the environment and promoting sustainability. It should also be able to provide a competitive advantage and drive sales.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

LPS : After designing the product on a computer, we create prototypes, do testing and send out products to some users for trial. Then, we gather feedback from key opinion leaders to improve user experience and practical applications. After many and many testing, feedback, and improvement, we finalize the products and say “yes”. This process may take around six months.

What is your biggest design work?

LPS : Exlicon Multi Shape drawing tools is my bigger design work. The reason for designing the Exlicon Multi Shape Drawing Tool is to create an innovative and improved drawing tool that could overcome the limitations of traditional compasses. We were inspired to create a versatile needle-free tool compared to a traditional compass. Designing the tool presented challenges such as creating a needle-free tool that avoids damage to the drawing surface and ensuring easy attachment of magnetic wings to the base. The development process involved overcoming obstacles such as finding suitable materials, testing magnetic strength, and balancing precision with ease of use, while considering historical and social perspectives, 3D printing technology, and safety and quality standards. Through extensive research, prototyping, and testing, the team created a tool that offers a new and improved way of drawing precise shapes. I am currently working on Exlicon magnetic pen and it will be launched in the middle of July on KickStarter.

Who is your favourite designer?

LPS : My favourite designer is Philippe Starck. I draw inspiration from Philippe Starck and his innovative and playful approach to design. Studying his work has taught me new techniques and approaches, and continues to inspire my own unique style and approach to design.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

LPS : I grew up in Hong Kong and now in Hong Kong. When I was a kid, I initially envisioned myself pursuing a career as an artist. However, as I began to explore different creative fields and learn about the diverse opportunities within design, I found myself drawn to the problem-solving and practical applications of design work. Then I studied under the Hong Kong education system. The culture in Hong Kong is unique, I can draw inspiration from this blend of Eastern and Western cultures, as well as the unique history and traditions, integrated with modern times. I have introduced positively incremental changes to my life such as incorporating sustainable and eco-friendly products, utilizing technology to simplify tasks and increase productivity. These small changes have made a significant difference in my daily life, improving my overall well-being and productivity.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

LPS : I am currently a startup founder. All products were created solely by myself, without any collaboration. This approach allowed me to have complete control and autonomy over the design process, resulting in a unique and personal final product. I look forward to people who are creative and full of passion in design. To me, a good designer incorporates unique and innovative features that create a positive emotional response in users, has a deep understanding of their target audience, and can balance form and function effectively.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

LPS : Personally, I aim to share my design experience and knowledge with the next generation through some mentorship programs and educational initiatives. I believe that by inspiring and educating young people about design, art, and architecture, we can contribute to creating a better society. We strive to address social and environmental problems, improve the quality of life for individuals, promote innovation and creativity, and foster cultural understanding and social inclusion. It has the potential to create positive social and environmental impact and contribute to the greater good of society. By being sustainable, I also hope to have a beneficial influence on society and the environment. Furthermore, we company is concerned about diversity, we aim our product can help in bridging people with different race and culture backgrounds. We believe that our products should be accessible to everyone, without limitations.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?

LPS : I would say the benefit of participating to design awards and competitions is it allows us to receive feedback from experts and potential investors. Moreover, it is a good place for promoting our company idea and products, also allows us to gain networks with other designers and industry professionals. We feel truly humbled to have received recognition in our work that we have put in. We have achieved so much because of the passion we have in designing and creating our brand.

Lee Pik Shan Profile