Interview with Pong Chee Kuang from Malaysia

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Pong Chee Kuang

After working as a visualizer cum artist, Pong Chee Kuang ventured off on his own to start a boutique-sized design agency in 2005 to pursue creative freedom that satisfies his vast appetite for design!


Interview With The 2023 MUSE Design Awards Winner – Pong Chee Kuang

1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
Since I was a kid, I've always been drawn to art and design. Growing up in Malaysia, I pursued a major in Art & Design during my college years. After a year of working as a Visualizer cum Artist, I was invited to join a start-up packaging design agency as a pioneer designer. However, I soon realized that I needed more creative freedom to satisfy my appetite for design. That's when I decided to establish my own boutique-sized design agency in 2005 and I've been on an exciting creative journey ever since.
2What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
I've always been a visual person and my surroundings have always fascinated me. I'm constantly observing and thinking and that's what sparked my passion for art and design. It's not just about creating something beautiful, it's about effectively communicating a message or even solving problems through design. Naturally, I gravitated towards becoming a designer, with the vision to elevate the design scene in my home country, Malaysia.
3Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

We run a small and intimate packaging design agency based in Malaysia, a country known for its vibrant multiculturalism. We intentionally keep our team size small because it allows us to focus more precisely and deliver high-quality work for our clients.

At our agency, we value a hands-on approach. Our creative team is involved in every step of the process, from understanding the client's brief and conducting research to conceptualization and overseeing print production. We don't just meet client requirements; we aim to inspire them with the full potential of their products.

4What does “design” mean to you?
To me, design is everywhere. From the moment we wake up, we are surrounded by design. However, there's no such thing as a perfect design. Instead, it's about creating the best design for the moment, considering the available resources and evolving needs. Design is a combination of elements that come together to serve a purpose within a specific environment. It's incredibly powerful and plays a crucial role in shaping our culture and society.
5What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
My favorite kind of design is one that possesses a soul. It may sound cliché but it holds true. A design that goes beyond mere attractiveness and engages the audience on an emotional level is truly special. As Maya Angelou once said, people will not forget how you made them feel. Designs that evoke emotions and create a lasting impact are the ones that resonate deeply with me.
6To you, what makes a “good” design?

For me, a good design strikes a balance between artistic expression, commercial value, and effectiveness. The beauty of art is its ability to effortlessly captivate our attention. Commercial viability ensures that the design is relevant and accessible to its intended audience. Effectiveness is key—a design must deliver positive results. And if a design can provide additional value to the audience, it's even better.

A good design, in essence, is the result of passion and dedication. When everyone involved puts their heart and soul into supporting the design, it becomes something truly exceptional.

7Describe your design style and its main characteristics.

At our agency, we believe that each packaging design should be tailored to specific audiences. We value flexibility in design styles as our focus is not on designing for ourselves but for the public. Every brand and product has its unique positioning, requiring different treatment and styles to suit its specific audience.

However, there is one notable style worth mentioning—our "packaging affinity." We don't just take care of the packaging design itself; we also consider the surrounding ambient where the product will be displayed. Our goal is to ensure that the product stands out from competitors in the market.

8Tell us about your design process.

Our design process revolves around understanding the purpose, conducting thorough research, ideation, execution, multiple rounds of review and revision, fine-tuning, and finally, impressive presentation. As packaging designers, it's crucial for us to listen not only to the client but also to the market.

We believe in staying connected to the pulse of consumer preferences and market trends, ensuring that our designs are relevant and impactful. By continuously seeking insights and feedback, we strive to deliver designs that resonate with both clients and their target audience.

9Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?

No, my country's cultural heritage does not have a significant impact on my design process. While I grew up in Malaysia, our market is heavily influenced by trends and technologies from Western and Northern countries. The preferences and expectations of our clients and target audience are often shaped by these external influences.

However, the impact of cultural heritage may vary depending on the objective of the project. If the goal is to develop an authentic local specialty product, then the concept and design would be based on the local cultural heritage. In such cases, we embrace and incorporate elements that reflect the unique traditions and aesthetics of our country.

10Congratulations! As the winner of the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
Thank you! Winning the 2023 MUSE Design Award is a tremendous honor for us, our company, and our team. It signifies our unwavering passion, dedication and attention to detail. This prestigious recognition boosts our reputation, reinforces our commitment to excellence, and inspires us to continue pushing boundaries in our craft. It's a shared success that brings us closer as a team and fills us with excitement for future design endeavors.
11Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

We're absolutely thrilled about our winning project, Wonda Gold & Wonda Premium packaging design! It marked a significant milestone for the Wonda brand as they introduced their first-ever instant coffee products to the world. Being part of this ground-breaking journey was truly amazing.

As a team, we embraced the challenge of creating captivating packaging for Wonda, a well-known RTD coffee brand from Japan. We conducted extensive consumer research and strategically planned every aspect of the designs to ensure they would stand out in the competitive coffee market.

Our dedication and passion resulted in packaging that perfectly captured the essence of the Wonda brand. We knew we had something special in our hands, and entering this project into the 2023 MUSE Design Awards was an easy decision. Winning this prestigious recognition validates our team's talent and expertise.

We're overjoyed to share this achievement with our clients and the design community. It motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of design in future projects. Receiving this award from the MUSE Design Awards is an incredible honor, and we can't wait to see what the future holds.

12What was the biggest challenge with this project?

Creating the packaging design for Wonda Gold & Wonda Premium presented us with various hurdles to overcome. With a competitive market landscape, we embarked on extensive research, exploring both online and offline sources. We developed 15 distinct design concepts and underwent 17 rounds of revisions. Over two hundred visuals were carefully crafted and evaluated, ensuring the designs aligned with the brand's identity and effectively communicated on the shelf.

What made this project particularly challenging was the limited budget we had compared to larger-scale productions. We didn't have the means to develop custom bottle designs using special materials or molds. However, we embraced this constraint and approached the project with meticulous attention to detail.

By leveraging the available resources, we focused on refining the graphics, conducting multiple color experiments to achieve accuracy, and incorporating a top seal label to enhance the overall product presentation. Despite the financial limitations, our dedication and ingenuity allowed us to elevate the packaging to new heights.

The success of Wonda Gold & Wonda Premium design speaks volumes. The final outcome not only met but exceeded the expectations of our client, leaving them delighted with the results. It's a testament to our ability to deliver exceptional solutions even when faced with constraints.

13How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?

Winning this prestigious award has brought immense joy and excitement to our team. It's a moment of celebration that we eagerly share with our clients, who take pride in choosing us as their creative partners.

As a boutique-size design agency, we have cultivated long-term relationships with a select group of clients, forming strong business partnerships. We are incredibly grateful to these clients who have placed their trust in us for over a decade. It's not easy to find clients who share our values and vision, but we remain committed to seeking like-minded collaborators.

Receiving this award serves as a testament to our team's unwavering dedication, boundless passion, and relentless hard work. It reaffirms our belief in the value we bring to the industry and fuels our motivation to continue pushing boundaries. We eagerly anticipate what lies ahead, embracing new opportunities and challenges with enthusiasm.

14What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
  1. The exhilaration of presenting our clients with awe-inspiring design proposals in every project, leaving a lasting impression on them.
  2. The journey from receiving a job brief to witnessing the final product launch is akin to the birthing process, breathing life into a new creation and introducing it to the market.
  3. The opportunity to showcase our masterpieces in the open gallery of the marketplace, where our designs have the power to captivate and inspire.
15What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
Malaysia stands out in the design industry due to its vibrant multicultural landscape. As designers, we have the privilege of delving into the diverse cultures that coexist in our nation. This innate understanding of cultural differences enables us to craft designs that resonate with each unique audience. Our adaptability to various marketplaces enriched by different cultural influences is a natural skill that sets us apart.
16Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?

In the coming years, I anticipate two major trends shaping the design industry: the emphasis on sustainability and the integration of AI.

Firstly, the concept of green packaging and environmentally-friendly materials will continue to gain momentum. However, we need a collective effort from the industry to accelerate progress and effectively combat global warming. As designers, we can contribute by advocating for more green packaging technologies and raising awareness at an individual level.

Secondly, the integration of AI into design processes is transforming the industry at an unprecedented pace. The strong connection between design and technology has resulted in rapid advancements. As AI becomes more integrated into design software, the role of practical skills may evolve. The future holds possibilities that were unimaginable just a decade ago. It's an exciting time where the boundaries of design are expanding, and the potential for innovation is vast.

17If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Focus on excellence, find your unique voice, network and collaborate, embrace continuous learning. Success in the industry is about more than accolades – it's about finding fulfillment and making a positive impact through your designs.
18What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
To improve skills in the design industry, I believe in the power of exploration and keeping an open mind. While traditional resources like books, online tutorials, and design courses are valuable, inspiration can come from anywhere in life. It's important to go beyond screens and books and seek inspiration from the world around us.
19Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
Well, here's a little secret. I can't work without a Mac. It's my design armor, my tribute to the legendary Steve Jobs, my true superhero. PCs? Let's just say they don't quite make the cut in my world of creativity. My Mac is my trusty sidekick, empowering me to bring ideas to life with its sleek design and mighty capabilities. It's a bond that can't be broken in my quest for design excellence.
20Who has inspired you in your life and why?

Life is a journey filled with unexpected inspirations, and one person who has had a profound impact on me is my elder sister, Joan. Her simple acts of kindness and her ability to embrace different perspectives have shaped the way I approach life and work.

As a small kid, I remember how Joan would offer comforting words and encourage me to see things from a different angle. It taught me the importance of being open-minded and inviting diverse viewpoints into my mind. Her influence has become one of my core values, guiding me in both personal and professional endeavors.

21What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?

In my journey towards success, I hold on to a simple yet powerful philosophy: "Do the right thing right." This principle guides my decision-making process and serves as a compass in both my work and life.

By focusing on doing what is morally right and striving for excellence in every endeavor, I believe that success naturally follows. This philosophy ensures that my actions benefit not only myself but also have a positive impact on others and the environment.

While there are additional principles that make up this philosophy, I encourage others to embrace the concept of doing the right thing right, as it can lead to a fulfilling and meaningful journey in all aspects of life.

22Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?

I would like to emphasize the importance of good packaging design. As marketers, brand owners, and designers, we have the power to shape trends, influence culture, and enhance the reputation of the market scene. When we step into a grocery store in an urban setting and observe the multitude of product packaging displayed, we gain valuable insights into the local culture and its current state of development. This serves as a remarkable testament to how packaging design captures and reflects the very essence of a community.

In brand building, packaging serves as the primary medium through which consumers see, touch, feel, and experience a product. Given the significant investment we make in our products, it only makes sense to fully leverage the power of packaging design to make them shine. The rewards are waiting to be seized, and there is every reason to grab hold of them.

Winning Entry

Wonda Instant Coffee | 2023

Wonda Instant Coffee | Rhythm Visual Communication

We’re proud that we’re the successful creative team who helps our client, Etika to develop Wonda Gold & Wonda Premium …
(Read more at MUSE Design Awards)


Pong Chee Kuang

After working as a visualizer cum artist, Pong Chee Kuang ventured off on his own to start a boutique-sized design agency in 2005 to pursue creative freedom that satisfies his vast appetite for design!


Read more about this interview with Ryan Bennett from the United States, the Silver Winner of the 2023 MUSE Design Awards.

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