Interview with CHEANG Hoi Fung

CHEANG Hoi Fung ("CHF") interviewed on Monday, 4 May.

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

CHF : I started my career as a quantity surveyor for 3 years and then changed as a project coordinator for fitout projects. I learned interior design via evening study and job training. I did a lot of freelance design works while worked as a project manager and I found my own company WHDL by 2010. our service is design, management and build. I have a diploma of interior design and I am the full member of Hong Kong Interior Designer Association and Hong Kong Design Association

How did you become a designer?

CHF : I had my first summer job worked as a surveyor assist at the construction site Peninsula Hotel Extension at 1994. I was so lucky I assisted on building the famed restaurant 'felix' in there, designed by world famous designer Philippe Starck. while I worked in there my potential of design passion triggered and then I made up my mind and studied interior post graduated. after my career 1st 3 years surveying training, I changed my career to project manager for fitout projects. i become more interested on interior design as i involved a lot of great design projects. actually, i started more interested on architectural and my favour architect is Tadao Ando, Foster etc. but it is more easy to start up a design work is interior design in HK.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

CHF : my priority of design 1)enduser friendly, 2)form and layout, 3)personalized style of enduser. i can use hand sketch to do design concept, and rely on the auto cad and rendering for the client understanding. as my background is a builder, i can understand the technical and scale of the end product. i seldom rely on mockup except clients wanted.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

CHF : i always feel exciting when doing design. the idea suddenly hit my head made me so exciting. i am exciting from the design concept to the end product built. i like most during design is mediation and smoke cigar. i am sensitive on details surround me. i always can create something inspired by surrounding. i feel so happy through this process if the idea transferred to realistic. inner side satisfaction.

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

CHF : hardworking, passion, respect and love people and creature. caring others. all the above. design is you creating somethings for others to enjoy. that's why you need to respect people and caring others. so that you can do good design.

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

CHF : my own growth path is via construction training. i hope people remember my well organized on design, progress, and budget control, not just only focus on good design. i want to design more furniture in future.

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

CHF : work hard, be sensitive, care others, sense of humor patient passion. self thought.

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

CHF : never bad mouth to the competitor, the resource from the universe is abundant respect every design/ designer allow sometime for oneself alone. mediation is the best way.

What is your day to day look like?

CHF : i started mediation and exercise in the morning. enhance both mentally and physically. i something read design news. riding motorcycle and smoke cigar doing joke with people

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

CHF : -timless, unique, connected to people, make people feels good and inspiration . -not too rely on the trend

How do you decide if your design is ready?

CHF : my design is initial from practical point of view so that it is always feasible. i usually stop further development when it actually feasible, i have to consider the budget and timeline as well. when the client see the draft and feel happy. it is successful then. 100% of my client happy to my design since myself satisfied on it before present to client.

What is your biggest design work?

CHF : i designed and named a biscuit store for my wife calls "blesscuit", all baked be blessed and customers be blessed when they eat them. the idea is the biggest, even each store is small. i am originally doing commercial design and build and one of my client encouraged me to do her residential projects. after that, my client so happy and served me with a lot of referral. this is the milestone i started work for residential projects

Who is your favourite designer?

CHF : tadao ando tadao ando Zaha Hadid le corbriuser all the above

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

CHF : hk yes yes hk interior design good design makes people feel joyful, peaceful, happy, harmony, timeless, less pressure.

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

CHF : i am easy to work with.i respect people. 50/50 individual and team work i concern the attitude and character of someone, rather than just skill and knows how. creativity and how they treat people and street smart. design with love, gratitude and blessing influence others with some direction with my thought take care all stuff of my company creativity and caring people

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

CHF : i yearly donate an amount to the institute i joined (RICS, CIOB etc.0 i yearly donate an amount to the mediation centre and wish more people can benefited with mediation process i yearly donate to Oxfam, orbis, cancer fund, unief, save the children etc.

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

CHF : participate competition widen ones vision on design aspect, build up network and got update with design trend.

CHEANG Hoi Fung Profile