Interview with Cheng-Jay Tsai

Cheng-Jay Tsai ("CT") interviewed on Wednesday, 11 November.

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

CT : We live in a world of short attention spans. Telling a good story lets me grab people's attention. Therefore I become a product designer; I utilize the synthesized insights and stories to create the life we envision. Likewise, we all have a story to tell. I enjoy listening to innovative concepts, inspiring research, and entrepreneurial ventures.

How did you become a designer?

CT : In my studying path, I noticed that I have a logically but unique sense to tell a story with all kinds of visual communication techniques. As a product designer, it gave me the right platform to deliver my creative ideas and enjoy the moment I am doing it.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

CT : I will concern more with the full process that leads my audience from the beginning to the end. If it's my inspiration, then I will ask myself what led me to this stage and communicate with the people who are not following my mindset from the beginning. Like aesthetics, convenience, and more concerning from the questioning, they are all substances that fill my design process make sense and complete.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

CT : I always enjoy listening to others describe innovative concepts or an entrepreneurial venture. Paying attention to these things going around us drives me to see through the intangible link and thinking out loud in a bigger picture.

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

CT : I was born in Taiwan and raised in Taoyuan City, an offshore town where I never stopped observing, dreaming, and forging a creative path. I have studied industrial design in Taiwan, Germany, and the USA. With the experience of being a teaching assistant in class, working in a design studio, and teamwork, I acquired the organizational skills to prepare a presentation and an exhibition.

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

CT : It has been the eighth year since I first studied industrial design in College. I just experienced the era that 3D printing and Arduino started being widely used in the classroom and small studio. Nowadays, product design department students need to learn code programming and have an interactive or video demo for the final presentation. Compared with our instructors' learning path, we have more dynamic tools with more digitalize professional techniques. As the new 3D tools keep popping out every year, and it seems impossible to become experts from all of them. Once you realized that background, I would suggest making our techniques and knowledge concentrate on becoming an expert in particular subjects. Our instructors' career path is not necessarily prepared for our generation, but making fair use of and integrating the internet world's influence with knowledge focus will bring about more professional career opportunities.

What is your day to day look like?

CT : Being a designer is a job, and I couldn't integrate my work and life with the same value. If I feel stuck in my works, I will take a break or swiftly try the other tasks. We are not always in an artist-like working scenario and don't forget we are all humans that will feel tired.

Who is your favourite designer?

CT : "Vessel" is a cyberpunk concept series created by Los Angeles based industrial and concept designer Daniel Jin Park. The creator is also an instructor at ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena. I had not had a chance to take his class when I was in school. But His visualization and design envision inspired my passion for the industry, and I enjoy seeing all creativity thrive he has made. Harman Kardon Neo Speaker Created by Gianni Teruzzi and his design team has inspired me greatly. He perfectly embeds the Harman Kardon DNA in the current product line and creates a brand new sight of the future audio experience. I love his work playing with proportions and silhouettes and dwelling in CMF and essential volume, which allowed the entry designer to look forward and keep doing great work.

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

CT : Thank you for featuring me in the interview. More information about myself can be found at my site jamestsai.com