Interview with Ben Cheong

Ben Cheong ("BC") interviewed on Thursday, 3 May.

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

BC : I had nine-year experience in animation production, and I had been studying design and animation by self-study since secondary school. Furthermore, I was hired by a local media company while I was still in college. I focused on my study while working at the media company. I graduated from the Department of Multimedia Design at Macao Polytechnic Institute. In addition, I had the honor to represent Macau and win numerous regional and national awards in multimedia design.

How did you become a designer?

BC : The Storm Rider-a comic/TV drama from Hong Kong had made me become a designer, because I like the Chinese martial art with VFX(Computer Graphic) in this TV drama when I was 13 years old. I joined some 3D courses and competitions after I finished The Storm Rider. Finally, I met a group of design friends and completed my design education.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

BC : I will normally put aesthetic and concept in the first place, then search for different style of works on internet as reference and choose the most suitable technique for the project.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

BC : I think we need go through the process of vexation in order to create a good design. The most exciting part is when your work has been accomplished, it is like watching your baby’s birth. And when my clients admire my works, I will feel successful as I have solved their problem.

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

BC : In future I would like to create an animation about Chinese martial heroes（Wuxia）. I had watched a Wuxia TV series and its special effects totally dragged me into the world of 3D. This is why I am engaged in the industry of multimedia. And That is also one of my life targets.

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

BC : They need to have endless persistence and efforts. Don’t just be satisfied with going to school every day. On the road to success, there is no room for playing or doing anything else except practising, even you are a genius.

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

BC : What I will always suggest is to work hard. Nowadays, there are too many people complaining about slim chance to be successful, however, they never think about whether they are ready for the opportunity.

What is your day to day look like?

BC : I browse Behance and Vimeo in the morning, to check if there’s any new works and make sure I can keep up with the trends of design. After that I will start my routine.

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

BC : Usually I find the latest information and inspiration from Behance and Vimeo and follow some excellent designer so as to make sure I can keep up with the trends.

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

BC : A good design can inspire people or help to solve problems, moreover, aesthetic and colour are both important elements of design.

What is your biggest design work?

BC : Projection Mapping Show

Who is your favourite designer?

BC : Zhelong Xu. He is a 3D sculptor from China and well-known in the world. His works are unique and distinctive.

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

BC : Yes, one of our responsibilities is to contribute to our society. We had ever created an animation for promotion for Orbis and received good responses.

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

BC : Awareness and affirmation to myself, let more potential clients get to know us.

Ben Cheong Profile