Continuing with our Golden Pin Design Award (GPDA) interview series, we speak with Ho Wan Chun, art director, designer and illustrator of HOUTH, and recipient of the GPDA Design Mark (Visual Communications) award.
Where and what did you study?
I studied in the Department of Visual Communication Design at Jinwen University of Science and Technology in Taipei. When I was applying for college, however, I actually wanted to study fashion design, but I didn’t get accepted [into the course], so I studied visual communication instead.
Tell us about one of your most recent projects.
I have been working to brand a tea bar called Lok Hue Hng in Taipei, itself named after a well-known Taiwanese glove puppet theater troupe from Dadaocheng [a historic area in Taipei City]. The concept for the logo design is based on a Taiwanese garden; influenced by patterned glass featuring Chinese begonias, seen in every corner of Taiwan in the past, and beautiful patterns drawn from the old iron window grills (the diagonal designs of which are based on both Chinese paper cutting patterns and western decorative lines). The design of the store’s business cards, meanwhile, is based on the patterns found on old Taiwanese house tiles.
Why did you decide to take part in the Golden Pin Design Award in 2015?
Winning the award is a huge recognition for the designer, and it can also increase a brand’s visibility. It’s beneficial for the client too, as it might help them to grow as well.
What are you most proud of to date?
We’re heading into the third year since my business partner and I established HOUTH. A lot of our works are included in design books from around the world, while a music video for which we created the illustrations was nominated for a Golden Melody Award.
I’ve always felt very lucky that we’ve been able to work with a lot of thoughtful clients who are open to great design ideas. What I’m most proud of and thankful for, however, is that I am passionate about my job.
What has been one of the more challenging aspects of working in design in Taiwan?
There are so many talented people in Taiwan’s design industry, so the competition is very intense and battles over what people will charge for a job occur frequently. When budgets limit a project’s print production possibilities, they also limit the solutions for the overall design. It’s very important to stay optimistic in this environment.
Where do you hope to be in three to five years?
I don’t have any particular expectations about the kind of position I’ll be in. I just hope that I can stay honest and continue to create great designs.
Interview conducted by Golden Pin Design Award; edited by Design China.
Syndicated from Design China
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