Interview with Oi Lin Irene Yeung

Oi Lin Irene Yeung ("OLIY") interviewed on Saturday, 7 May.

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

OLIY : I studied marketing & graphic design in tertiary education. After graduation, I started to be self-taught in product design while having over 20 years working experience in sheet metalworking industry.

How did you become a designer?

OLIY : I love art & design from childhood, and always want to deliver message & thoughts through my work. Product design is a field that I can make my dream coming true.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

OLIY : Ideas are from anywhere and anytime. When I got the ideas, I will develop in my mind and then from a simple hand drawing to a CAD drawings with the use of Solidworks. A metalworking fabricator can make a prototype based on the technical drawings.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

OLIY : When I feel there are a lot of thoughts and emotion inside, and I want to express and deliver my feeling and message to others, so the feel of design process is full frustration, doubt, excitement and finally happiness, especially when the product design is finished.

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

OLIY : I think art, philosophy and metalworking shaped me as a product designer now. I love painting when I was very young, and my father was interested in philosophy and very professional in metalworking, my father was the biggest influencer in my design career and in my life.

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

OLIY : I set up my small design studio in 2016, and got many helps from various parties. I would like to improve my design skill and develop more good designs with the messages I want to deliver to different regions.

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

OLIY : Make a step forward and be brave.

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

OLIY : I think there is no boundaries in design field, think out of the box and respect are crucial for me as a designer.

What is your day to day look like?

OLIY : I start my day with planting. Getting to know our nature is a magic time for me to relax and also a good time for me to be thankful for the day I am living. Make everyday count!

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

OLIY : I prefer to focus on my style and technique rather than design trends. Can say, I would love to create the trend, not follow the trend.

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

OLIY : A good design can be a solution, can be an art, can be a philosophy that can help people or make others' moved.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

OLIY : A design can be improved from time to time, it can also be improved for different markets.

What is your biggest design work?

OLIY : I am looking forward to have such biggest work in the future.

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

OLIY : My life is full of art, Chinese culture and philosophy.

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

OLIY : I design on my own most of the time, and then I will work with a team of metalwork fabricators to start the projects of new product development.

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

OLIY : Contribution to community is my goal of being a designer, really looking forward to have opportunity to be involved in some projects related to charity or social work.

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

OLIY : A'Design award really means a lot to me, not just the accreditations from various parties, but also let me be more confident in being a product design specialized in metalware. A'Design was my first international award received since 2020 and it's definitely a bright start in my design life, now I have received 10 awards.

Oi Lin Irene Yeung Profile