Interview with Nu Infinity

Nu Infinity ("NI") interviewed on Sunday, 18 March.

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

NI : 8 years and we are now one of the top residential interior design firm in Malaysia. We are well-known within the South East Asia region. We are also forward-thinking and outward-thinking. We think of ourselves to have the responsibility of helping the entire industry up in the country through collaborations, contributions and planning with education hubs, media partners, government, NGOs and etc.

How did you become a designer?

NI : I was about to enroll myself into an Engineering degree. However, I wanted something that is less technical and more design-oriented, yet makes money. Henceforth, Architecture was the way to go albeit the long path. When I was younger, I always dream that the places I live in in Malaysia could have more beautiful looking buildings that the world would fly here to see.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

NI : Humane, For the users and provoking in terms of ideas. We do a lot of sketching, trials and errors, build them with 3D softwares to test the natural lighting, test the best possible construction methods. Then we work closely with our suppliers and specialist to pick the most optimum materials that would best represent our ideas whilst keeping the cost in check on behalf of our clients.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

NI : Lifted. We need to be true to ourselves and ask ourselves what keep us going. Dreaming big and having fiery passions do that. Knowing a finished product works for the users give us a true sense of purpose in our works.

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

NI : Interior School professors, media partners, furniture suppliers, experience senior clients we meet along the way and our families give us encouragements and keeps us focused. We have to have an open mind and be opened to all possibilities and realize there are endless possibilities in order to see our design and company flourish in many possible ways.

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

NI : First and foremost, we want to be grounded and slow but steadily grow the company. As proven, within 8 years, we are now one of the leading residential interior design firms in Malaysia. In the last 3 years, we are also well-known for pitching designer-nature projects - i.e. car show rooms, residential show units, property sales galleries, common facilities of large residential and commercial buildings. We hope one day we can establish ourselves as leading consultancy firm that serves the ASEAN region, with original design ideas originated based on our roots and the influences we have had over the years in Malaysia.

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

NI : Stay true to your dreams and philosophies. There are no short cuts. You go too fast, you hit a roadblock even harder. We understood clearly time was needed to master different skills and expose ourselves to new opportunities. There is no point getting to a place where the opportunity presents itself, but you are not ready.We plan to attend more seminars and conferences, participate in new courses to diversify our skill sets.

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

NI : Keep to your core values. Remember your roots. And remember who you are doing all these things for. Never take short cuts, however be good at identifying opportunities. If they do not come to you, you go to them.

What is your day to day look like?

NI : The people we meet each day, the news we hear, the books we come across, they all influence us. It is a matter whether we are open to receive them. It is a choice whether we want to seek knowledge or open ourselves to be inspired. We believe it is up to one self to ignite one's own passion by choice.

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

NI : We believe one should not be defined by a single style. Even if you do, your style should be ever evolving depending on the changing times and the world we live in. User behaviors change, technology evolves, integrations are expected across the industries. However, just remember to be timeless. Constantly chasing after trends in today's pace is futile.

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

NI : It is designed for the user. Aesthetically provoking and edgy, cost is efficient, it serves the wider audience on an equal basis. It is timeless. It helps directly or indirectly our mother Earth.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

NI : There will always be room for improvement. However, we must also understand that certain things are right at that moment in time and at that place. Alternatively, it is up to us to decide whether to continue pursuing the idea of perfecting the design or move on.

What is your biggest design work?

NI : We are excited that we have garnered support in terms of our designs. People enjoy seeing our works and believe in our design philosophies. To be able to present and sell our ideas confidently, it is a priceless feeling. The more so if we are dealing with corporate clients, which are usually more exposed, and they think that we forward-thinking and our works are fresh. We would like to think of our works being not bounded by where we are based at which means our works have to meet international standards and are fitted to various types of people.

Who is your favourite designer?

NI : Zaha Hadid. What she did was avant-garde. Forward-thinking and paving way for the rest of us.

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

NI : Being Malaysians, we are very inclined to seek knowledge and inspirations from abroad. We are a society immersed in commerce and revolve around advancing our lifestyles through increasing our standard of living. It would take some more time before we can slowly move our society to understand that besides money, design and many other things play a part in enhancing our lives.

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

NI : We groom individuals and value each of their ideas and approaches. In return, we would like to see them grow at their own pace independently. Through this process, they learn to better themselves constantly and discover their strengths and weaknesses. Afterall, no one is the same. And through this process, we are able to mold different individuals to play different roles, to excel in different tasks and grow the company together.

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

NI : Besides the business, we are very much into attending school talks and critic sessions. Moreover, we also contribute to the local media through talks, sharing of experience, Q&As and showcasing our works to the wider public so they are exposed to new ideas and the ever-changing concepts that would direct and indirectly affect all of us.

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

NI : To see the world consists of so many creative minds that keep challenging themselves to create new ideas and designs that would hopefully benefit humanity and earth itself.

Nu Infinity Profile