Interview with Chu Kuan Yu, The Journey of a Graphic Design Expert

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Chu Kuan Yu

Chu Kuan Yu is a seasoned designer with 20 years of experience in graphic design of Hongyou Design, known for collaborating with domestic and international brands to deliver innovative, tailored design solutions. He has also shared his expertise as a lecturer at prestigious institutions in his home country and China.

1Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your creative background.

I am Chu Kuan Yu, a seasoned designer boasting 20 years of extensive experience in graphic design. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with numerous domestic and international brands, offering innovative and distinctive design solutions tailored to the needs of both established enterprises and emerging businesses.

Furthermore, my instructional background encompasses delivering lectures at esteemed institutions in my country and China, focusing on imparting design thinking and practical knowledge. My unwavering commitment lies in fostering the advancement of design education and industry through knowledge exchange and growth initiatives.

2What made you become/why did you choose to become a creative?
Due to my mother's occupation as a fashion designer, my family fostered my early interest in painting, leading to a profound appreciation for aesthetics. This upbringing ultimately guided me towards a career in design, where I have been able to translate my passion for beauty into a vocation.
3Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.

Hongyou Design has assisted over 800 brands in creating unique brand images across 40 industries over the past 20 years. We have extensive and diverse brand building experience and are committed to providing comprehensive image design services for brand operators as the market changes.

Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed the birth, growth, and transformation of countless brands, forging a deep emotional connection between brands and consumers and creating successful brands. With our deep market insights and excellent problem-solving capabilities, from strategy formulation and market research to brand implementation, we firmly believe that continuous innovation and hard work are the keys to brand success.

We provide a diverse range of services, including visual design applications, print strategy integration, aesthetic photography, signage and signage planning, exhibition and event layout, and more.

At Hongyou Design, we always use a professional attitude and innovative vision to help brands connect with the market and create unique and influential brand images.

4What does “creativity” mean to you?
Design embodies an approach to life that promotes holistic healing of the body, mind, and spirit. It enables the attainment of internal equilibrium through the act of creation, evolving into the art of living and a remedial influence for the soul.
5To you, what makes a “creative” idea and/or design?

I appreciate visual communication due to its capacity to transcend linguistic limitations and promptly establish an emotional rapport with individuals. Through the harmonious interplay of visual components such as images, colors, and typography, visual communication engenders a multi-faceted communicative realm that substantiates abstract concepts and engrosses individuals within them.

The potency of this medium resides in its capability to convey profound messages without verbal articulation, elicit poignant sentiments, and prompt viewers to engage in introspective contemplation.

6Tell us about your creative and/or design process.

In my view, effective design should possess clear communicative prowess, striking a balance between aesthetics and functionality while eliciting an emotional response. It should also demonstrate innovation and embody the qualities of timelessness and adaptability.

These components enable design to achieve a harmonious integration of form, beauty, practicality, and emotion, enduring the passage of time and engendering a profound experience.

7What's your favorite part of the creative process and why?

My design approach is centered around typography, with a primary emphasis on the meticulous construction of the design through precise typographic structure. The selection of fonts and the control of word spacing are key focal points.

I employ a meticulous typographic language to effectively communicate a clear and aesthetically pleasing visual message, ensuring that each word serves not only as a conveyer of information but also as an indispensable aesthetic element within the overall design.

8Describe your creative style and its main characteristics.
We are dedicated to continually adapting our strategies in response to market fluctuations. Drawing on our extensive market insight and exceptional problem-solving abilities, we deliver comprehensive support and guidance, encompassing strategy development, market analysis, and brand execution, to foster the sustained advancement of the brand within an ever-evolving landscape.
9Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your creativity process?

The rich and diverse cultural heritage of my country seamlessly integrate tradition with modernity and it has been a wellspring of inspiration for me, propelling my exploration of various aesthetic styles.

This exploration has culminated in the creation of works that embody both local characteristics and a global perspective. Furthermore, the local pursuit of beauty and unwavering emphasis on innovation have been instrumental in steering my unwavering commitment to excellence in design. Each of my creations is meticulously crafted to encapsulate the profound depth of culture and to evoke a deeply resonant emotional response.

10Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?

We are sincerely grateful for the honor of winning the 2024 MUSE Design Awards! This prestigious accolade holds significant meaning for our team, serving as a validation of our dedicated efforts and a source of motivation to strive for continuous improvement. We are eager to leverage this opportunity to broaden awareness of our design philosophy.

Moving forward, we are committed to relentless learning, innovation, and the delivery of enhanced customer service, as well as the creation of more impactful designs. We extend our deepest appreciation for your unwavering support and encouragement.

11Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 MUSE Creative Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?

In 2024, I was honored with the MUSE Design Awards for my graphic visual identity design for the brand "Solar Eclipse." The design focuses on the Taiwan Sun Moon Lake black tea series and charcoal-cultivated tea series. My entry was selected for the competition based on its profound reflection of the design concept.

The design conveys the founder's reverence for tea and the brand's aspiration to seamlessly integrate into daily life through the representation of the sun and the moon merging, as well as the ever-changing interplay of light and shadow. By employing simple lines and neutral tones, I sought to contemporarily interpret traditional tea culture, enabling consumers to experience the deep historical legacy when indulging in the top-quality tea.

The brand's icon draws inspiration from the five stages of a solar eclipse and is portrayed in a simplified geometric form that harmonizes with the overall design style. This versatile design not only amplifies brand recognition but also augments economic value.

Furthermore, environmental consideration was integral to the design process. In the future, I intend to utilize non-toxic, environmentally friendly inks and FSC-certified paper materials to achieve aesthetic appeal while upholding sustainability. These conscientious elements underscore the merit of the work in participating in the competition and securing a win on this prestigious platform!

12What was the biggest challenge with this project?

The primary challenge in this instance revolved around the amalgamation of the brand name "Eclipse" with the unique characteristics of the tea, in order to differentiate it within the saturated market of 26,000 brands in my country.

The client expressed a desire to employ visual positioning as a means to accentuate the tea's distinct allure and the brand's core concept. Extensive exploration of the symbolism surrounding "eclipse" was undertaken, alongside an examination of diverse aesthetic styles, in order to craft a visual identity capable of resonating with consumers amidst a plethora of competing brands.

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

Winning the award has profoundly impacted my practice and career development. This honor not only recognizes my efforts but also motivates me to continue pursuing excellence. It has enhanced the brand image of both myself and the company, increased market recognition, and attracted more potential customers and collaboration opportunities.

Additionally, this award has allowed me to share my design concepts and practical experience, inspiring more designers and entrepreneurs and promoting continuous progress in the design community.

14What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?

-Creative expression involves transforming abstract concepts into tangible visual creations.

- Design holds significant influence over people's lives and perceptions.

- The ever-evolving industry encourages me to continuously explore new trends and technologies.

15What makes your country specifically, unique in the creative industry?
My country's design style is a unique blend of Chinese culture and Western influences, incorporating traditional elements alongside modern creativity due to its multicultural background.
16Where do you see the evolution of creative industry going over the next 5-10 years?

In the forthcoming 5 to 10 years, the design industry is poised to undergo significant transformation propelled by AI, ushering in a new era. AI technological advancements will revolutionize the design process, amplifying efficiency and empowering designers to actualize more innovative concepts.

As designs evolve to encompass heightened intelligence, they may instigate the emergence of novel design paradigms and configurations. Consequently, it is imperative to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and adaptability to sustain competitiveness amidst this era of evolution.

17If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Creative Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?

Brand concept: a deep understanding and expression of the brand's core values and mission.

Visual design: creating eye-catching visual effects that subtly blend modern and traditional elements.

Innovative elements: the courage to try new technologies and concepts to add uniqueness to the work.

Multi-media applicability: ensures that the design is effective and has application potential in various media.

Environmental awareness: focuses on sustainable development and the use of environmentally friendly materials and technologies.

These elements will help students gain a foothold in the design field and win recognition.

18What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the creative industry?

Literature on Design: It is recommended to consult reputable domestic and international publications, such as "The Design of Everyday Things" by Don Norman, to enrich your understanding of design principles.

Design Communities: Platforms such as Behance and Pinterest provide valuable opportunities to engage with fellow designers and exhibit your portfolio.

Design Competitions: Participation in esteemed competitions like the MUSE Design Awards can serve as a significant avenue for gaining recognition in the field.

Workshops and Offline Events: Acquire practical skills by attending design workshops and offline events, thereby enhancing your expertise.

Design Fairs and Exhibitions: Regularly attending design fairs and exhibitions is imperative for staying abreast of the latest industry developments and trends.

19Tell us something you have never told anyone else.

There's something I've never shared with anyone before – my mother taught me valuable lessons about how to treat people and things. Her teachings have had a profound impact on me, inspiring and guiding me in both my career and my relationships.

She showed me how to view the world with an open and tolerant mind, allowing me to better understand the needs and thoughts of others, which has been incredibly valuable in my work and collaborations with people.

20Who has inspired you in your life and why?

In my experience, I draw inspiration from the beauty that surrounds me, whether it be in the form of flowers, plants, roadside signs, or posters. These elements not only serve to fuel my creativity, but also afford me diverse perspectives on aesthetics, which I subsequently incorporate into my designs.

The colors, shapes, and compositions of these elements serve as catalysts for my ideation, allowing me to produce distinctive works within my designs.

21What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
The key to my success lies in my constant pursuit of my interests, actively networking with seniors in various industries, and collaborating with relevant design talents. This not only broadens my horizons but also enhances the depth and quality of my creations!
22Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?

I posit that design constitutes not merely a vocation, but also an ethos towards life. I am of the conviction that design ought to uphold social responsibility and be capable of imparting value and significance.

In the times ahead, I am committed to further exploration and aspire to exert influence through my designs, thereby fostering social advancement. I am grateful for the opportunity to express these sentiments.

Winning Entry

Solar Eclipse | 2024

Solar Eclipse | Hongyou Design

Chu Kuan Yu

Chu Kuan Yu is a seasoned designer with 20 years of experience in graphic design of Hongyou Design, known for collaborating with domestic and international brands to deliver innovative, tailored design solutions. He has also shared his expertise as a lecturer at prestigious institutions in his home country and China.


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