Interview with Calvin Sio Kai Tong

Calvin Sio Kai Tong ("CSKT") interviewed on Tuesday, 15 May.

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

CSKT : I started Hylé Design in 2014, I’m always inspired by my hometown, Macau, which is a city with rich culture background. There are different unique aesthetics and details that lied in the place that I hope to share with the world, along with the intention to excite and benefit the society, eventually more people will know the place and its creativity.

How did you become a designer?

CSKT : I like to draw since I was young, especially Chinese paintings. When I grew up I still hope to focus on the creative field, therefore I decide to choose product design as my major in university. During my study I was introduced to a concept of universal design and that deeply touched my heart, that sparked my aim to follow the path by consistently creating friendly design.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

CSKT : I like materials that carry characteristics of long lasting and warmth, I’ve been choosing wood and copper for my products, people can touch and feel the temperature and texture on the surface.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

CSKT : Angry, sleepness, frustrated……haha, after all these are the excitement and satisfaction.

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

CSKT : Observe and keep thinking.

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

CSKT : Good design is like nutrient for creative professions as well as the society, the field is greatly potential and will be ongoing to expand, I believe undoubtedly we will grow with technology and virtual world, but still people can’t live without real experiences. Diversity and innovation will always make design field surprising and attractive.

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

CSKT : I consider few points: 1) whether this design can achieve its goal to the target customers ; 2) the potential to develop further ; 3) How long do I want to keep it.

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

CSKT : I live in Macau, a city mixed with valuable heritages and old streets. Despite the iconic name of casino city, many parts of the place still remain traditional and attractive. I hope to share the experience I felt here, cultural, quite and simple.

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

CSKT : ‘Design makes no wasted’ is the merit of Hylé Design Macau, we always believe every existence is born with specific value, even it is disuse. By adhering this philosophy we prioritize environmental protection in products development, we reuse the materials from wastes generated in manufacturing factories and give them new life through design, resulting to cut down the cost of new materials order and eventually economize the cost of manufacturing and create value for both manufacturers and customers. We believe our approach can appeal to more designers and public by recreating values for ‘wasted resources’, which are potential and valuable on both economy and innovation aspects.