David Chang Design Associates Intl.

About David Chang Design Associates Intl.

David Chang，Canadian Designer, founder of David Chang Design & Associates (DCDA), registered member of NCIDQ, IDC, SBID, IIDA and ASID, has over 25 years of experience in commercial and residential interior design and management experiences in Canada and Asia. David was born in Taipei, majored and received bachelor degree of Interior Design at both California State University in the United States and Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Vancouver British Columbia, Canada, and attend “Green Building and Community Sustainability” program at Harvard University. Deeply influenced by Chinese and Western culture, David Chang emphasizes on attention to culture and history as source of inspiration thereby creating vitality and rich artistic essence for each project. Moreover, David Chang emphasize on interior space comfort, functionality and creation of souls in each design. Based on these philosophies, David Chang's innovative works have won numerous design awards from Canadian designer associations，and also repeatedly receivedInternational Design and Architecture Awards by “Design et al” magazine and International Design Excellence Award by SBID. In 2017, David Chang was also appointed as a jury member for the Italian A’ Design Award & Competition. In 1998, David Chang founded David Chang Design Associates International (DCDA) in Vancouver, Canada, and entered in the China market in 2006, setup direct offices in Guangzhou, Beijing and Taiwan, to provide exclusive upscale design services on landmark projects for local top developers. The interior design and space planning projects encompasses multiple fields such like luxury apartments, villas, salesandmarketing centers, clubhouses, hotels, private bespoke homesand etc. Projects such as “Beijing Heritage Estate Clubhouse”, “Beijing Chinoiserie Villa”, “Beijing Runze Palace”, “Guangzhou Poly Mansion”, “Guangzhou Dayi Villa”, “Shanghai Eminence Mansion Residence”, “Shanghai Bund Nine Clubhouse” and “Dalian Castle Hotel Service Apartments”have been listed as exemplary projects in the real estate industry.

Winner of 35 A' Design Awards.
16-Time Winner of Interior Design Award.
Specialized in Interior Design.
35 Featured Original Designs.
Highly Creative, Diligent and Innovative.

All Designs
Hospitality
Interior
Luxury
Yacht

Lanting Pavilion Show Villa

Interior Design

The Palace Show Flat

Interior Design

Interview with David Chang Design Associates Intl.

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?

I was born in Taipei, Taiwan and studied Inteior Architecture in the U.S. and Canada obtaining degrees in Fine Art at El Camino College in Los Angeles, a honor degree at Kwantlen Polytech University in Vancouver Canada and studied Interior Architecture at the California State University in Long Beach, California. I have been a Registered Interior Designer in North America with NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) certified since1999. I started working with Traditional Interior Architectural practices on various projects from large bespoked private residential developments to hospitality and restaurant projects. In that period I discovered my passion for private residential projects and have made this my focus since early 1995. I was very fortunate to advance my career by working on many luxury homes in Vancouver, Canada which enhanced my reputation as one of the top residential interior architects in this city and then beyond. In 2003, I went to Guangzhou, China to design 2 display villas for a residential developer which lead to setting up a design firm in Guangzhou in 2004. In 2007, I expand my design practice to Beijing, China, and expanded our projects to include large scale residential, display apartments, villas and clubhouses.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

The firm was originated as a small design studio in Vancouver, Canada in 1998, later incorporated in 2004, and established offices in Guangzhou in 2006 and Beijing in 2009 to provide space planning, interior design and soft furnishings services for major real estate developers in China. Completed real estate projects in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenyang, Kunshan, Dalian, etc. are well received by the industry and has been setting as the design standards for development and design collection. DCDA has a design team of more than 90 professional designers and an experienced project management team. Type of projects encompasses villa, apartments, sales centers, clubhouses, and hotels for developers as well as private client projects, etc. Locations of projects are spread out throughout North America and Asia. Innovative designs have won numerous honorary awards from Canadian design associations and other perspective areas. DCDA’ s team of passionate and inspired professional design team consistently adheres to a system of quality, consistently discovering the significance of the practicality of space and revelation of details, and with the same enthusiasm for arts creating the ideal living space.

What is "design" for you?

I believe that you could liken the role of an Interior Designer to that of a movie director. With our Clients as the producers, we take their personal vision, be it classical, modern, contemporary, art deco or neoclassic, and synthesize this with all the other actors, from artisans, suppliers and trades, to create a bespoke design that narrates their personal story. Designers should be like water, easily flowing and versatile enough to fit within any container. Bespoke designs cannot be mass produced if they are to be informed by the Clients’ individual tastes, needs and influences. This continuous dexterity of inspirations is the flame that keeps the passion for design burning.

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

Hard to tell which is my favorite since I love any style that is beautiful from ultra modern to traditional classical. But for my own personal living, North European style will be my choice since its functional as well as super clean and mostly beautiful.

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

Focusing more on space planning, detailing, and artistic concept development.

What makes a design successful?

function, usability, environmental, artistic and with historical cultural detailing in the space.

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

Good design is part of human civilization. Designers should create better design for mankind as well as for the environment and every living species on mother nature.

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

Design is moving towards an environmental conscious approach through the use of recycled materials, renewable products and a concerned populace. The second true motivator and influencer is technology both in how we interact with our “smart homes” and the products being evolved and invented. Classical design from all eras, as well as eclectic style, will continue to be valid as they allow us to express our love for different cultural objects, our passion to explore our world beyond our personal spaces and the touchstones that ground us to our histories.

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

All design for me is inspired by the 5 senses and effectuated with 3 tools. Our living environments provide a cornucopia of stimulations that influence my designs. Smell, our first and strongest memory, can be aroused by a simple flower or a particular fruit. Vision is imprinted with the sand patterns on the dunes of the Sahara Desert, the dense forests of South America to oil settling in a rain puddle. The touch of a rock or metal sculpture can foster inpressions. Sounds such as hearing a particular classical musical score or a pop hit, can pique a feeling that can inspire a concept. And finally, taste, this influencer of cusines, can strike a cultural reference that can radiate through a design. The effectuating tools of design for me are Colour, Texture and Form, used in harmony to stimulate all our 5 senses.

How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?

Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?

I live in Taiwan, Canada, and Mainland China almost similar amount of time in my life.

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

Respect and value designer's service. Due diligence such as previous projects visits and client interviews are essential.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

Function, Concept Development, Design Development, Contract Documentation, Site Follow Up.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

Do not ever complains about the overtime and you have to love the design and living in different time zone from normal career. Mostly importantly you got to love what you do or else it will not last long for taste sweetness of endeavor. You need to have certain degree of insanity to pursuit perfection in every design.

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

Positive of being a good designer is fortune and fame. Negative of being a good designers is irregular hours of sleep.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Good designer satisfy people's needs or requests whereas a great one not only satisfy people's needs or requests but also lead people to another horizon and exceed people's expectation.

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

It depends on the size and complexity of the project. Usually between 2 months to 2 years.

What was your most important job experience?

working in a design firm which is only targeted to rich and famous private residence.

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

I always work as a team. Interior Design shares many aspects and needs different expertise from all talents. Interior Design is not just a one single sculpture or a painting. It involves different materials, wide range of color pallet, various techniques, and multiple level of coordination.

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

Two nearly 2000 square meters show villas in Chinoiserie style. One is simple and modern whereas the other is magnificent and classical.

How can people contact you?

People can either email me @ david.chang@dcida.com or contact me @ our company address or phone numbers listed on our company web site @ www.dcida.com

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

I am open to any questions. Please email me @ david.chang@dcida.com. I would make may best effort to reply.

Designer of the Day Interview with David Chang Design Associates Intl.

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

How did you become a designer?

I have over 20 years of experience in hospitality and residential interior design and management in North America and Asia Pacific. I was educated both in the United States and Canada. Majored and received bachelor degree of interior design at both California state university long beach and Kwantlen polytechnic university in Vancouver British Columbia, and studied "Green Building and Community Sustainability Professional Certificate" at Harvard University. Deeply influenced by eastern and western culture, I emphasize on attention to culture and history as source of inspiration thereby creating vitality and rich artistic essence for each project.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

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

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

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

What is your day to day look like?

Good Breakfast with family members, Espresso, work hard, work smart and play hard.

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

Travel, and attend design exhibition like Mansion Object in Paris and Salone Mobile in Milano to obtain the newest trends.

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

form and material not only to be meticulously made but must serve the function well.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

Design will never be ready since all design idea is always running like stream. You need to tell yourself its time to let go of your idea and meet the deadline.

What is your biggest design work?

Neo Classical Chinoiserie style show villa and new Chinoiserie style show villa in Beijing.

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

Deeply influenced by eastern and western culture, I emphasize on attention to culture and history as source of inspiration thereby creating vitality and rich artistic essence for each project. Moreover, my insistence of functionality creates soul in design, emphasize on the comfort of Interior space.

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

I always admire those designers who has the time and the extra financial power to involve themselves with humanitarian projects. Thus, each year I sponsor a none profitable company who specializing in making documentary films about the Chinese culture and society.

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

Feeling that each individual project is recognized, respected and judged independently within itself for its merit in design for function and aesthetic.

Extended Interview with David Chang Design Associates Intl.

Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

Of course I chose to become a designer. My parents have always want me to become a dentist since I was in high school. In fact, I was accepted by University of Southern California as biochemistry major/pre-dentistry major when I was in senior year at high school. But I declined the acceptance, then I went to California State University Long Beach to major in Interior Architecture. I was a run away Pre-Dentistry student who wanted to be a designer.

What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

I design mostly residential projects for developers, wish do design more restaurants and bar.

What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

Good designer satisfy people's needs or requests whereas a great one not only satisfy people's needs or requests but also lead people to another horizon and exceed people's expectation.

What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

function, usability, environmental, artistic and with historical cultural detailing in the space.

What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

Good design is part of human civilization. By investing in good design, designers are encourage to create better design for mankind as well as for the environment.

What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

I would design furniture, lighting, anything is product related which can be mass produced.

What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

You need to have certain degree of insanity to pursuit perfection regardless of time.

Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

Alexander Mcqueen, Frank Lloyd Wright, Andrea Palladio, Arthur Gensler

What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

Gensler. Because they don't do just one style of design. There is no individualistic signature on every design they do.

What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

A design not only satisfy the function and facilitate the traffic flow but also never forget about the artistic and historical side of the design.

How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

Go travel globally when you have time. Ideally work and live in a city no less than 3 years while you travel. Practice, patience, and passion, with these 3 will never let you down in whatever you do.

If you hadn’t become a designer, what would you have done?

I would want to be a Pianist, Cellist, Michelin-starred chef if I had the time to develop my talent well enough to do them professionally.

How do you define design, what is design for you?

Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

The biggest supporter is my wife Rita and my brother Clyde followed by all those staff who has been with my company for over 10 years.

How does design help create a better society?

Design is part of human civilization and it serves as an alleviator in a pressured society.

What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

Two nearly 2000 square meters show villas in Chinoiserie style. One is simple and modern whereas the other is magnificent and classical.

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

Those projects with function, usability, environmental, artistic and with historical cultural detailing in the space.

What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

would like to see more different style of design, not just most of designs are modern or super clean look style.

How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

It depends on the size and complexity of the project. Usually between 2 months to 2 years.

What is your life motto as a designer?

Only with the touch of referencing in culture, art, and history, design can become a timeless soul, other than being just a space with its mere function and decoration.

What is the role of technology when you design?

The role to achieve the possibility of making different materials work together.

What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

Color is visual which determines 70% of the ambient in design whereas materials is tactile which determines 30% of the ambient in design.

Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

I always believe in team work. An ideal design partner works and communicate constantly with me without any reluctance.

Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

Alexander Mcqueen. Discuss with the application of different material to create his fashion design.

How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

If you and your team have practice, patience, and passion, you would suddenly find that being famous is not hard afterall.

What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

black and white, Vancouver, Japanese Food, Autumn, watch, Porsche.

Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

Client questioned my former employer my age and qualification when I was assigned to take on their project at the age of 25.

When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

When I was a child, I used to love art and science, but never dream to become a great designer since my parents have always wanted me to be a doctor especially a dentist.

Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

I am open to any questions. Please email me @ david.chang@dcida.com. I would make may best effort to reply.

David Chang Design Associates Intl.

About David Chang Design Associates Intl.

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The Palace Show Flat

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

Interview with David Chang Design Associates Intl.

Designer of the Day Interview with David Chang Design Associates Intl.

Extended Interview with David Chang Design Associates Intl.

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