Interview with Fuka Interior Decoration Sdn Bhd

Fuka Interior Decoration Sdn Bhd ("FIDSB") interviewed on Monday, 16 November.

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

FIDSB : I have been in this industry for 20 years but I do not think that I have learnt everything. Life if a series of learning process and it allows me to learning something new everyday. I may be experienced in interior design but I would not say that I'm done learning.

How did you become a designer?

FIDSB : I have always loved arts and design ever since I was a kid but my passion for designing did not spark until graduating from high school. I’ve enrolled myself in an art academy after high school and from there, I grew into loving spaces to where I am now. I know I wanted to be more involved in designing when I know that I am able to repurpose discarded items by giving them a new light.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

FIDSB : Design to me is being innovative in a space. Being able to create something that would be able to better ones life and to get the best living experience and lifestyle of the environment. I do not rely on digital tools as I am more of a pencil and paper guy but my team would then help me translate all those digitally with renders to make it more presentable for the clients. My approach when working on a new project has always been understanding what the client wants with their budget and then plan out the best workable plan.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

FIDSB : Its different all the time, depending on the current mood. I would be over the moon whenever I am able to fulfil all my own standard requirement for the design and probably would be stressful whenever I am unable to achieve my ideal design. Definitely a roller coaster ride of emotions.

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

FIDSB : Besides being interested in arts, what made me a designer is probably my communication skills. I have learned to speak up for my design instead of letting others dictate what I do and it should be that way because we are skilled in what we do and we should be the one advising the customers instead of them advising us.

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

FIDSB : Currently we are trying to expand the company business to beyond just in Malaysia so, we do hope that the next step would be Taiwan as we are dipping in to the market there. I want our company to be internationally recognized by our design and great workmanship with easy handover. In future, I would hope that we would be able to design something which would be well recognized around the world as a landmark that would just blow everyone's mind.

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

FIDSB : What I can say is that designers should go out and enjoy what is life. Without really experiencing the moment of being the person who is using the space you will never be able to design the space. It's true that designers does an extensive work in researching the designs but without truly experiencing, there's always something there that is not grasped. Keep moving forward and never stop learning.

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

FIDSB : Listening is always a good practice because you will learn more than you think and speak only when you need to add value. Practice on your critical thinking when dealing with tough situations but ask for opinions.

What is your day to day look like?

FIDSB : Mornings will always be coffee first and then replying messages from clients. When that is done, I will probably be going to office or to meetings. During boring businesses day, I would just scroll on archdaily to check out what is new just to kill time. That's the typical day to day for me.

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

FIDSB : I do keep myself open with the latest design trends just to know what is happening around me but we do have a certain style and design for our company that we do not usually stray away unless we are trying something new because I believe that the client is looking for me for the certain style that I am good with but of course, if they do want something different, I would know what they are referring to.

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

FIDSB : You can judge a good and a bad design but this something really subjective. I would say that a good design is something that you are able to bring comfort make one's living easy. A bad design is something that would make your life miserable or if you are better off without it then it's probably something that is not a good design as a good design is something that would make you need it like a drug.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

FIDSB : You will know it when you see it. Its just a feeling that comes to you and you know its complete because you will feel the satisfaction there. Deadlines are important to let you manage your time well so that you do not spend unnecessary time dwelling into it as well and move on with the next project.

What is your biggest design work?

FIDSB : A restaurant in my hometown "Tao". This is the first restaurant that I felt brought me the most satisfaction and it helped to locked in the design direction of my company. This is also the project that allows my company to propel to where it is now.

Who is your favourite designer?

FIDSB : Yusaku Kaneshiro. If given a chance to talk to him, I would like to know how he got his inspirations from and what made him do the designs that he did. I love all his works and it gave me inspiration towards some of my current projects too.

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

FIDSB : I have always been a very chill guy enjoying the serene beauty of Mother Nature. I find the suburbs area of Asian countries such as Japan, China, Korean and etc with it's beautiful parks and hills very inspiring. The calmness and tranquil from it gives a sense of quality living which I felt effected most of my design projects as I would usually incorporate those elements in my design in hopes of bringing peace and harmony in a space. A good design is needed for the advancement of society because this would help to improve the quality living in each and every one of us. Imagine if the shape of a circle was never invented, how difficult it would be to move an object.

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

FIDSB : I work with my partner and I would like to think that I am a very easy person to work with (laughs). When looking for a business partner, worker, or just in general someone that I would be working together with, I would look for someone who is trustworthy. This is important because I would like to be able to share any issue coming up with them without worrying that any company information would be leaked out to the public. Besides that, someone who is committed and passionate to the job because design is not as easy as just drawing lines. It requires one to think as well and because its subjective, one design would go through varies of amendments before reaching to the final stage. Passion is needed if not, it would just be dead drawings.

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

FIDSB : We would always try to give back to the society whenever possible by helping those who are less fortunate. Whenever we could, we would bring the team to mingle with the orphans to hopefully try to develop some interest in drawing skills that they would probably be able to use when they are out in society. Other times, we would just make donations to the community. We would also join conferences or any even held by the schools if we were called to talk to the young designers in hopes that it would be able to help them understand a clearer path if they choose to be a designer in future and we do provide opportunities for young designers to work under our senior designers as interns if they were to look for us.

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

FIDSB : There’re many positive experiences coming out from the A’Design award. It boosted the confidence level of my team and made us work harder for upcoming projects. Besides that, with the recognition from the awards, it allows our company to gain more credibility to the public eye. Last but not least, the award allows us to widen our design senses when we were attending the award. We were able to see great designs from all over the world coming together and competing with one another in a healthy competition to improve oneself. The competition contributed not only by increasing the spiritual level of our company but it also allows us to gauge the design standard of our company when compared to the rest of the world.

Fuka Interior Decoration Sdn Bhd Profile