Designer Q&A with Ching Tan

Ching Tan is the designer of Aqua Anytime, the co-overall winner of the Australasian Student Design Awards 2009 and the overall winner of the Industrial Design section of the Australasian Student Design Awards 2009. He is currently completing his Honours year at Swinburne University in Melbourne. In this interview Ching Tan shares his thoughts on the future of his design career and a bit about his winning design and current projects.

1.  Ching Tan, welcome to Design Droplets. Can you please give us a quick run down on yourself.

I didn’t originally get into an Industrial Design degree. I was doing Engineering for 2 years. After 2 years of engineering and soul searching, I finally understood what I really wanted to do. Industrial Design. I have been studying Industrial design now for 4 years. I am currently completing my honours year at Swinburne University. Along with my degree I also completed a Diploma of Sustainability, spent a semester overseas at Kuntshocschule Berlin, and attended ISSI design master class workshops. My current undertaking at Swinburne Design Centre, a university based design studio, has allowed me to engage in real life projects with multi-disciplinary teams.

2. You were recently the tied overall winner of the 2009 Australasian Student Design Awards and the winner of the Industrial Design section of the competition with your concept Aqua Anytime, can you tell us a bit about your project and how it came about?

We are currently facing a water crisis in Melbourne. To cope with such harsh weather conditions the government has placed water restrictions on the community. My project addresses the community garden during these times where strict water restrictions are in place.

The Aqua anytime system promotes smart water management for communal gardens. Patrons have the option of using grey, rain or mains water at their leisure. Users stop worrying about their water so that they can concentrate on what they love most. Gardening.

My knowledge of gardening was next to nothing when I commenced this project. The accumulation of knowledge about gardening led me to many community gardens where I conducted many interviews and observational studies. The conversations I had with community gardeners helped steer the direction of this project. Without listening to them I would not have been able to create Aqua Anytime.

3. Aqua Anytime address a very serious issue that we are facing here in Australia – water shortage – what are your thoughts on what other designers can do or should be doing to help alleviate this problem?

Designers should not turn a blind eye to the sustainability and social problems facing society. Though these problems may not have such glamorous appeal, they are still very important because they tackle REAL problems. As designers we are well equipped to tackle such problems. Our methods will tell us to tackle and rethink these problems. This alternate way of framing such problems may lead the way towards a better solution.

4. What do you think are the most important issues/trends in design today and in the future?

As Industrial Designers our job is to design and create new products and services. In today’s age where our resources are coming to an end and global temperatures are rising designers must be mindful of what they design. Do we just want to create another throw away product for our consumerist market? Does our product really help the lives of others? Is there a REAL need for this product? We need to start having a conscience and think about what we really are creating.

5. Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Inspiration for me can come from any form or environment. If you have an open mind and approach things like a child. One can always draw inspiration from any environment. The key is to have a positive, inquisitive outlook to anything that comes your way because it could be the answer to that difficult problem in your project.

6. How did you end up in industrial design?

From the first day I was able to hold a pencil, I always loved to draw. Since then I knew I wanted to be involved with some kind of work that involved drawing. Once I was exposed to Industrial Design I knew that it was for me.

7. Can you tell us a bit about one or two of your other design projects?

Honours research Project – Australian Red Cross Blood Service
Social trends forecast that Australia’s future demand for blood will increase. My project proposes solutions in increasing Australia’s supply that may help meet future demand. I conducted a research analysis on Australia’s Blood donation service through the perspective of the donor. This approach creates empathy towards the donor and thus allows stakeholders to create a better donor experience that could in turn lead to greater donor retention.

Shampy (shower head lamp)
The Victorian Government has initiated a shower exchange program to encourage Melbournians to save water. What happens to the old shower heads? Where do they end up? Scrap Metal? Shampy is a versatile lamp which can be used in various environments.

This project was shortlisted in the bright green eco light design competition. I am still awaiting the results on the final winner.

8. Can you give us an idea of the processes you go through to create a new idea, design or concept?

I feel that research underpins most of my work. Listening to users, getting them involved and extensive researching provides a good start to any project. It gives insight on the perspective of the user. Through research I am able to map out constraints and problems that I need to overcome during the course of the project. I have a saying, ‘the root of all good design comes through good research’. Without it design’s just seem out of context.

9. Do you have a favourite design, designer or design studio?

IDEO would have to be my favourite design studio. I have read many books by David Kelley, one of the co-founder’s of IDEO. They are pioneers in design thinking and they practice what they preach. Being such an innovative company they also tackle social design problems, as well as designing well thought consumer based products.

10. What are your current aims for your Design career? Which part of the design industry do you think you will venture into?

At the moment I am not fazed where I work. I would just like the opportunity to have creative input in what I do. Whether it is products or services, I don’t mind tackling any project because they are all valuable learning experiences. Though I am in the middle of my honours year, I feel that I am still a novice designer. There is so much more to learn and a Masters or PHD could be the next thing I pursue.

11. Ching Tan, thank you very much for taking the time to talk with us here at design droplets. In closing, do you have any last thoughts or words of advice you would like to share?

Be humble
Listen, watch, feel and learn before you design anything!