Interview with Vault Design Lab

Vault Design Lab ("VDL") interviewed on Sunday, 3 May.

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

VDL : I’m one of the founder of Vault Design Lab, a full- service interior design firm based in Penang, Malaysia. I play role as Managing Director and I’ve accumulated 6 years working experience in high-end private residential interior design. Our design lab emphasizes on unique, premium and elegant character in spaces.

How did you become a designer?

VDL : I do have great interest in fashion and colour when I was young. I spent my every Saturday morning during the college time, browsing over internet for more design reading materials. I was keen to explore design so I could share with my pals. We used to hang out and talked about the materials we gained from our readings. I believe this was a little step to part of my milestone today. I started my formal education on design during high school by taking art courses, and continued my interior design diploma in KDU College. I began with entry-level interior designer in one of the leading interior design firm in Penang before I founded Vault Design Lab.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

VDL : I always start with visualisation after the first site visit and first talk with client. I will collage the pictures in mind and have further research on the design ideas I would like to deliver. At the same time, I follow up closely with client on their needs and try to put myself in their shoes during the problem-solving process. When the design is confirmed, we model it with software such as Google SketchUp, 3dsMax and final touch the rendering images with Adobe Photoshop.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

VDL : Excitement. I love the initial stage when composing the preliminary sketch ideas together, forming multiple collages in my mind. I like the scene of imagination before transforming it into a real-life space.

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

VDL : I’m a team player with strong sense of responsibility. Good communication skill is my strong tool to have a clear understanding on client’s need.

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

VDL : Growth path- To develop Vault Design Lab as an international branding, with branches across the world and work with great designers. Future plan- To further develop our branding by including architecture design as well. Dream project- project from interior spaces design to exterior façade treatment.

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

VDL : “Dream It, Live It”, at the same time be responsible to decisions you’ve make. Be humble and always learn from mistakes.

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

VDL : Step out from the comfort zone and never stop hungry for knowledge.

What is your day to day look like?

VDL : A good day starts with an energetic shower with nice jazz music. I will take 30 minutes to browse through news and work tasks before I step into the office. My daily delight is a cup of coffee to start the busy and exciting day ahead.

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

VDL : I always keep myself up with latest design trends from reading magazines such as Kinfolk and Design Anthology, or browsing through the interviews with great designers. I think it's important to be updated with the latest design trend information so we could broaden our knowledge. This would become a powerful tool when come to communication with the client. I mostly done my projects based on personal design style or in another words, translate the design trend into my work in my personal way.

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

VDL : In my point of view, a good design gives a ‘3 second impact’- a great first impression to lead the crowd into designer’s perspective through the space experience. It creates a balance in space’s functionality and visual experience, carefully considering all situations based on the design brief.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

VDL : As a Managing Director, I define the design is ‘ready’ when I don’t find any odds elements or imbalance in the spaces design. I believe a longer time will give a better design quality. But the reality is we can only improve our design from our last mistake. Thus within the time-frame, we should non-stop trying to achieve the best we can.

Who is your favourite designer?

VDL : Joyce Wang and Ferris Rafauli

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

VDL : I’m Managing Director of Vault Design Lab and I’m working closely with my two partners to manage the design studio. Three of us share the same vision, it’s a main key for us to lead a diverse group of 10 staffs to move in the same direction. Team work is relatively important in our studio to deliver good quality design. We believe staffs are the asset of the company. My partners and I appreciate a person with good manners, keen learner with positive competitive attitude. Adventurous will be a bonus point. We are a group of young people, loving the motto of “work hard, play hard”.

Vault Design Lab Profile