Interview with Khoi Tran Nguyen Bao

Khoi Tran Nguyen Bao ("KTNB") interviewed on Saturday, 3 April.

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

KTNB : I graduated from the Faculty of Industrial Design at Ho Chi Minh City University of Architecture in 2013. After graduating, I worked as a full-time and freelance designer for several consumer goods and furniture manufacturers. I am also a visiting lecturer for a university.

How did you become a designer?

KTNB : I chose to become a designer because of my childhood interest in drawing. After graduating from high school, I began to study art professionally at a college and later studied design at university. Emotion spring up when I look at something cool and wonder if I could create such things, drove me to be a designer. The desire to create something interesting, useful is my originally motivation for me to follow this profession.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

KTNB : I think in any field of artistic creation, there should be a central theme that drives your mind and emotions during the working process. When I design, I try to come up with as many options as possible, draw my thoughts quickly with a pencil. I do not try to use digital tools to express perfectly sketches. What I and my clients want is the design renderings created by the 2d or 3d softwares are done in a short time; if something is selected, we will correct the problems as required and complete on computer. Mock up also physical models are built for the most intuitive evaluation. I approach a new project through intermediary.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

KTNB : Feeling of freedom and a bit of challenge are the emotions I get when design a product or project. I think every phase of the design has its own unique vibe. Like when you travel to a foreign land, there is ambiguity, excitement, sometimes a bit of disappointment and hope again..But overall you always have to be optimistic and feel everything exciting despite difficulties to complete the journey. Being in dialogue with myself is what I like most when focus designing. The design process also helps me speak my mind and learn a lot through debate. Sense of happiness is created when I am more mature in my career.

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

KTNB : I think some of them are presentation skill, quick reflexes, analysis and observation. They are important because they help me understand people's psychology and communicate with them better. Karl Lagerfeld is one of my biggest idols, I love his creativity and persistent energy. My design journey has been quite stable, I am happy because of some accomplishments that I had dreamed have made, but I realize it takes a lot more effort.