Interview with Marty Chou

Marty Chou ("MC") interviewed on Tuesday, 5 May.

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

MC : I have worked in architecture field for 18 years. I started out as an intern designer in major architecture firms in Taiwan, and gradually, switch to smaller scale design-led studio to work on both architecture and interior design. Since 2013, I started my own practice.

How did you become a designer?

MC : Architecture is the only subject that I’m interested in when I applied University, although I had no clue what that is about back then. My interest in designing space grew gradually, especially during the time when I was studying master degree in Columbia university in New York, where I searched my identity as a designer and trained my eyes through photography.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

MC : I draw a lot. Pen, sketchbook, tracing paper is my essential tools when design. It is the quickest way I can put down my vision and revise it as I may. I try to keep my design simple. If one line can do, there won’t be two. And lastly, I try to be clear. If I can be as simple as possible, then the message in the design should be clear and understandable.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

MC : I love the beginning of design phase, because everything can be tested and it is exciting. The middle is mixed with enjoyment and anxiety, because I am often on the brink of finding solution of everything. Satisfaction at the end happened when I found the way of transforming function into art.

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

MC : I think being an Asian and had lived in both eastern and western continent influence me psychologically and culturally. I learn that we are all equal and at the same time so different, which allows me to open up my vision and at the same time knowing what I should be focusing on.

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

MC : I don’t think too far. I focus on what I have right now, and to do my best, for every opportunity I come across. And I hope one day, I could design my own house on a piece of land, for my family.

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

MC : Focus on the necessary, and abandon the rest, when you design. Always question yourself: “what, and why, am I design for?”

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

MC : Don’t copy. Be Original.

What is your day to day look like?

MC : Fixing problems on site for one project, while thinking about possibilities of design for other projects. That is my daily routine. There is never a boring business day…

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

MC : I do not follow trend, because it is destined to be outdated.

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

MC : A good design should appear clear conceptually without a designer explaining.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

MC : I stop my design when there is nothing I can subtract and the remaining are the most necessary, and yet everything is harmonious and beautiful as a whole.

What is your biggest design work?

MC : KT apartment. It is my 2017 residential interior project. It has an unconventional space arrangement for a young couple in a limited 60 square-meter space. There are not many materials and it is mostly a white space with wooden floor, but you can feel the freedom of space and flowing of light, which give you a sense of being in a bigger space. It is a small project, but it is the optimum solution given its limited given condition and available resources.

Who is your favourite designer?

MC : Peter Zumthor is my favorite architect/designer. His design is simple and yet rich. One can not see trend in his design, but only timelessness. And If I could talk to a past architect, I would want to talk to Le Corbusier.

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

MC : I live in Taipei, Taiwan now. Having lived in both eastern and western continent, and now back to my home country, I found Taipei to be an extremely livable city, although it is not the most beautiful place on earth. It is a mixture of good and bad, which give me opportunity to be part of the force to make it a better place.

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

MC : I work alone at this point. My projects are small interior projects, mostly dwelling. I treat my client with honesty, and hope they treat me back the same way, because I think that is the only way we can work together to complete a “home”. If I would have a partner or colleagues, honesty is what value the most to. And most of all, albeit all the hard work and tedious issue we face, we have to be optimistic and stay happy, in order to produce good design.

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

MC : I think everyone should contribute to their society in their own way. I did my service by spending time teaching Architecture in University, to foster the young, and hopefully one day, they will contribute to the greater good too.

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

MC : Being a designer today is very competitive. Participating award and competition is a good way to learn where you are and where you may be in the design field. This is the first time I participated in A’Design award, I hope it can give me better exposure to the world and open up new opportunities in the future.

Marty Chou Profile