Interview with Yi-AN Hung

Yi-AN Hung ("YH") interviewed on Friday, 6 April.

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

YH : After my master degree of interior design from 2003, and being in the field for 15 years, and work in US, China and Taiwan and experience diverse project type. In 2005, I launched my design studio with a interior design and furniture design focus that gradually become recognized for its simplicity and modern style. This success led to the award winning project of Red Dot and If Design Award ten years later. Similar to its “my secrete garden”, the interior design features multi-functional interior/ furniture design ranging from contemporary to simplicity. It is distinctly modern but marked by original timber material, nature light, flaw space and simply flawless construction detail.

How did you become a designer?

YH : I think I born to be a designer, and I love beautiful things and art sine I was little. After many year of practice I start to develop my own design philosophy. I believe ” simple brings good design”. I believe people are looking for a clean and simple environment that could heal their mind. We work closely with our client and come up with creative spatial solution. We also provide interior, architecture, landscape, and construction service to improve the quality of life.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

YH : “Site”, “culture”, and “function” are three most important topic I will investigate whenever start a project. And normally I will use a big idea to solve all the above problems and make it looks nice and clear.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

YH : I think good design are simple and functional and should make people exciting and happy when they use it or experience it. No matter it is interior, product, furniture or any design, should all follow the simple principal.

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

YH : While being a designer and also a teach as a professor in the university. I like to bring students and mentor them to participate in different design competition. One of the project that captivated by the simple furniture form and material that win A Design Gold Award was done by a group of her students. I also get a lots of inspiration from students fro my practice.

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

YH : I do not have a plan for the future, and try to leave the opportunities open for any encounter. I think that’s the way to make my life being unpredictable and exciting.

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

YH : Work hard, work smart, and be hungry about knowledge. And do want you like and like what you do. Make each day as your last day and select the path you heart tell you.

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

YH : I do not think there anything I will tell to fellow designer, I think each of them have their own philoshopy of design and that is exactly what make our built environment so exciting and interesting.

What is your day to day look like?

YH : I am a mom of two kids, running a design studio and mentoring many students in the university, in general, I would said “ Veeeeeeeeeeeery busy”. However, I love what I am doing now and never regret of the past decision I made.

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

YH : I do not follow the design trend and do not know anything about it. I think there’s something I love and I admire in our built environment, and that will be the way I develop my practice and design philosophy.

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

YH : A good design I think is simple and functional, and always bearing a very clear and lovely idea to solve the problems.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

YH : Honestly, I do not think there’s a ready design in the world, a good designer can always think of something to improve upon it. However, I tend not to do a fully finish design, I love to think of how my design interact with user and that make the beauty of a good design

What is your biggest design work?

YH : I do not think the biggest design work in important to my life, but some simple and nice design idea are that thing I love during my practice. For instant “ My Secreate Garden” and “ A Chair”, both of them area extremely small project yet each deliver a very simple and clear design idea. A design editor Borja Alcarria wrote on the 2017 paragraph ” Many pieces are integrated in order to crear the main design. A chair por Yi-An Hung, Yestudio take advantage of the ability to stack simple shapes. This way, many seats join for creating a main chair.” My design philosophy of integrating multiple function into a simple flawless form with nature material already catch the international interest for new thinking and trend for design. “A Chairs” became renowned for transforming classic furniture designs through its smart integration and simple form.

Who is your favourite designer?

YH : I do not have favorite designer yet I respect each designer a individual to delivery great work to our built environment.

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

YH : Even thought I travel from many place, but Taipei was the place I born and raise. I love the tempo of city, good food, friendly people and the creative atmosphere and culture. I love to bring my children to experience the exhibition during weekend and that make my life fulfill and inspired.

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

YH : I respect each individual colleague in my studio as designer and they should follow their heat to lead their design into what they think is good design. I think everyone is a talent to something, and I tend to provide the environment/studio to make it happened.

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

YH : I love to do some project that benefit help the local community and big society. Many of my project I believe have some good impact on it. I believe I will keep working on it when there’s chance encounter to me.

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

YH : I think A Design Award is the most professional design group in the world. I believe all the good designer from the world can benefit from your organization. Please do keep up the good work. I think you guy are great!!!

Yi-AN Hung Profile