Interview with Stanley Tay Wee King

Stanley Tay Wee King ("STWK") interviewed on Saturday, 21 May.

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

STWK : had been a lighting designer cum lighting engineer for more than 12 years now. My education is actually in the finance / accountancy. Got into lightings 12 years ago as the development and mass adoption of LEDs was interesting. Started off as just a supplier, but gradually went more indepth scientifically and artistic design concurrently. The science behind LEDs technology enabled amazing creative interactive and immersive lighting designs to be created. For the design perspective, I then self learned on traditional lighting design skills and the evolvement of architecture since ancient times till date. By relying on my financial training, it is natural for me to quantify and communicate the worth for lighting design easily. I had also the good fortunate to serve the big property developers in Singapore and various government statutory boards that takes care of the heritage and urban spaces.

How did you become a designer?

STWK : I have always love the historical arts, while also like building lego sets, gundam modelling and even Tamiya cars. When I was exposed to LEDs technology, i saw that it is a subject that combines both Art and Science. The design concept takes lead first. With that crystallised, the engineering, products, methods of installation can then come together. I love the challenge of being multi disciplinary in just 1 job. To get better at my choice of being a lighting designer, I got to go back to the basics to understand building architecture, electrical electronics engineering and interior design, materials etc. Fortunately I've always love to see beautiful things. As i read widely on different designers, their style, their completed works, I've grown to appreciate good designs. Eventually able to discern the meaning to good designs for each of them. That made me develop my own design style unknowingly as I seek to learn and apply vigorously from what I read. I personally love architecture as I love ancient history. Buildings are important and symbolises the aspirations of each culture across different era. That interest in history is probably the reason that motivates me to learn about the various buildings and its interior fit out during different era.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

STWK : My style always has technology or engineering elements within the beautiful end results. I certainly believe that Design + Engineering + Technology is what makes a good design. My design aims to be an element that futureproof the space that I'm appointed to work in. Ultimately it should also seek to impact lives positively.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

STWK : Happiness. I get excited thinking how the design may have the soft power to connect emotionally with the audience.

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

STWK : My background in finance affects how I go about the design. No offence to our design community, but i tend to articulate the worth of my design based on how it exceeds the value of what the client may be paying me. The ability of the design to allow customers to remember the spaces more, the possibility of people coming back to enjoy the space and spending in the area, the durability of the design that will reduce maintenance costs, etc...

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

STWK : I hope to be the leading lighting design and solutions consultancy firm in Asia and ASEAN. I certainly wish to work on projects that I have touched before (e.g airports, railway stations, etc)

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

STWK : Be multi disciplinary, be open to things you are most afraid and overcome them. Designers should try to learn engineering. It may be used like a communicative tool to aid artist in justifying the qualitative artful skill in design.

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

STWK : Doing the due diligence and being professional in performing the fiduciary duty as the lead consultant. Having a well thought out solution that goes beyond just design, being ready to address issues that may surface in adjacent verticals of a project. This can make the designer a reliable consultant and show he is aware on how the design relates to other parts of the project.

What is your day to day look like?

STWK : Wakes up, Tries to go for a jog (often it fails and I go back to snoozing), Goes to work on time (or maybe 5-7 mins late), Figure out what is priority for the day and see what can be done, call clients to catch up, Have a good after work chill out drinks before going back home.

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

STWK : Being active in seeing the latest design posted on social media by other designers, reading actively on various online publications, read widely different subjects. Knowing the design trend is highly important for a junior designer. Until you have made a name for yourself and your style if what forms the trends, it is important to know how the society is moving ahead. This will also serve as important facts as we communicate with clients.

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

STWK : The simplicity of what the design wish to communicate. Looking beyond beautiful professional photographs but asking for just simple pictures of the design to see the true form.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

STWK : We know it has become a success when people are enjoying the space, taking pictures of our work. There will always be ways to improve a design, but we will be reasonable and realistic based on given timeline for each appointed jobs. Importantly, to know when the design is ready, is when we feel we have exhausted all possible question and answers.

What is your biggest design work?

STWK : Haw Par Villa Project is our biggest design work. The space is extremely hugh, there were many firsts for us in this project too. Many rules pertaining to heritage spaces resulted in us spending much time in finding the most appropriate engineering implementation solutions. The design work was technically fluid and subject to constant reevaluation whenever the original idea was not feasible when we do a site survey. For the scale of this project, the attention to details was extremely crucial to avoid abortive design and planning works. We were delighted it all turned out as what we had designed and rendered to the client. We seek to downplay the facial feature of the sculptures and make the garden a comfortable stroll like in a resort. Using different focus for each part of the park aims to create a memory stamp in the visitors, in hope they will always want to come back and relax in the park.

Who is your favourite designer?

STWK : Victoria Cohen - Had seen her amazing work, playing with lighting projections in Frankfurt, Church of Catherine. Team lab - Where they use LEDs to create original immersive interactive spatial experiences.

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

STWK : I love Turkey, where the history and urban society comes together. The integration of technology is certainly unavoidable. A designer should see how their works can be representing the future aspirations of people. Design is a concept that seeks to inspire an individual to be better. This concept can be both physical and non physical form. As to what I do, i believe lighting design should aim to invoke the senses of a person where he may be in. It definitely should be more than just functional.

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

STWK : I would say it is easy to work with me as long as the person sets a high standard for him/herself. I do not have the interest to micro-manage someone. We believe in giving everyone the chance to lead and make justifiable decisions. My style always has technology or engineering elements within the beautiful end results. I certainly believe that Design + Engineering + Technology is what makes a good design. My design aims to be an element that futureproof the space that I'm appointed to work in. Ultimately it should also seek to impact lives positively. Be multi disciplinary, be open to things you are most afraid and overcome them. Designers should try to learn engineering. It may be used like a communicative tool to aid artist in justifying the qualitative artful skill in design.

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

STWK : We have an active training program to guide interns and associates to grow beyond just excelling in the firm. Yes we do pro-bono work from time to time for government and public spaces. Being able to be involve or serve in humanitarian projects is a honour.

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

STWK : Able to strengthen my design skills, knowing the importance of having a professional good photographer, Able to see and learn from others whom are more skillful. I'm deeply humbled and grateful being the Designer of the Day. While it is a strong encouragement for the last 12 years of self taught, unwavering commitment to professional design deliverables, it is also a reminder to continue what is right. Keep learning, keep improving, keep challenging myself to do better.

Stanley Tay Wee King Profile