Interview
Yishan Chang
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
Originally from Zhejiang, China. Raise in Taipei, Taiwan, in an architecture family. Nu learned about the many facets of design and grew with the sensibility of how materials and colors lives within the environment. Graduated in Academy of Art University in 2012 with BFA in Industrial Design, She has worked with many top talents in the industry throughout the years. She has led core vision projects and collaborated with top consultancies and manufacturers around SF bay area during her time at Intel. Her project experiences includes IOT, smart home, robotic, wearables, consumer electronics, soft good, etc. When she is not immersed in the design world, she loves working on ceramics, yoga, travelling and taking photograph of her cat.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
Knowing that my personality is relatively gentle and I'm not exceptionally intelligent compared to others, I felt that learning a specialized skill and being able to earn a living without competing directly with society would suit me well. Focusing on doing my best and making myself better seemed more suitable for me. That's why I embarked on the path of a designer. At that time, industrial design in Taiwan was still influenced by an outsourcing mindset, and brands had not yet emerged. So, I chose to step into an industry that was just beginning to take off.
3 Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
MOONGRAY & Co. is an industrial design studio based in Taipei, Taiwan. The studio specializes in sustainable living and innovative design solutions, aiming to achieve harmony between functionality, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility in their products. Visit https://moongray.co for more information.
4 What does “design” mean to you?
I always thought that my source of passion for life was inherent, something I was born with. Later, I came to understand that it is design that endowed me with this. It provides me with ongoing creativity and contributes to the establishment of my identity. All of these come from my design and what design gives back to me. Creating the most suitable design language for each project and delivering it perfectly is not just a sense of achievement in my career. Each project is also like a child to me, they, at the same time, have also shaped me
5 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
I like the one with an elegant curve that touches my heart, visually smooth and subtle in form. It visually blends harmoniously into the environment. The brand, No. 30 Inc. from Taiwan, collaborates with multiple top designers to create desktop objects with specific themes. Most of these objects are not electronics, but when placed on the table, they easily resonate with me.
6 To you, what makes a “good” design?
If we metaphorize the object world with the human world, where everyone in the world strives to stand out, seeking visibility with fancy appearances, elaborate language, and unique personalities. However, good design is about being true to oneself, building oneself well, slowly spreading out. That atmosphere is what connects with customers and the outside world. Some measure business and design with money and revenue. If we metaphorize the object world with the human world, where everyone in the world strives to stand out, seeking visibility with fancy appearances, elaborate language, and unique personalities. However, good design is about being true to oneself, building oneself well, slowly spreading out. That atmosphere is what connects with customers and the outside world. An opportunity, something that can be felt.
7 Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
For the design approach, I began by analyzing all current products/brands/competitors in the market and addressing pain points towards the next generation, capturing the current trend and a contemporary modern aesthetic. Simultaneously, I aimed to maintain the brand's atmosphere, ensuring users wouldn't feel estranged or unfamiliar even when encountering new product launches. The focus lies in precision regarding dimensions and specifications, maintaining proportionality in appearance and aesthetics, and infusing sentimentality into materials and colors.For the design approach, I began by analyzing all current products/brands/competitors in the market and addressing pain points towards the next generation, capturing the current trend and a contemporary modern aesthetic. Simultaneously, I aimed to maintain the brand's atmosphere, ensuring users wouldn't feel estranged or unfamiliar even when encountering new product launches. The focus lies in precision regarding dimensions and specifications, maintaining proportionality in appearance and aesthetics, and infusing sentimentality into materials and colors.
8 Tell us about your design process.
After gaining a profound understanding of the brand, competitors, and market through analysis, I will immerse myself in the current design trends, making a conscious effort to sense and comprehend the most fitting design language for these products. I will explore how it should be visually represented and conceptualize its appearance. Similar to envisioning a button on an electronic device, I picture it as substantial as a sofa in my immediate surroundings. I contemplate the surfaces and intricate details, considering how each element contributes to the overall design. Even though it is a compact device, I recognize that every nuanced detail plays a crucial role in shaping the final design.
9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
Certainly, Taiwan is my hometown, and it is a highly internationalized city. For almost every project research, I don't limit myself to compiling market and product research from just one country. Instead, my approach is to gather information comprehensively, including the latest industry insights and news from Taiwan. Moreover, in the realm of Design for Manufacturing, controlling and estimating Bill of Materials (BOM) costs for each product significantly impacts the overall business. Taiwan boasts one of the top-quality supply chains not only in the consumer electronics sector but also in various resources like plastics, fabrics, and glass. Given my background, I am adept at immersing myself in the local context and effectively communicating the design throughout the entire production process.
10 Congratulations! 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?
I've been following the Must Design Award for several years, having been immersed in the industry for quite some time. Observing numerous friends and brands proudly showcasing their achievements after winning the Muse Design Award, I've noticed a distinct pattern. Unlike other prestigious awards such as IF, Red Dot, and Good Design, the Muse Award, in our perspective, exudes a more contemporary and modern image. This is particularly significant for brands directly engaging with consumers. Winning the Muse Design Award not only strengthens a brand but also creates compelling and persuasive images that resonate globally
11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2023 MUSE Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
“Our goal is to create an exquisite living atmosphere in the future electric car.” The AC fan blade design has been used for many years within the automobile industry and has only been changed once Tesla released it. We realized how the brand created a futuristic aesthetic that no other brand has ever done it before. We believe the electric car is the future. We want our brand and products could match the luxury car quality. At the same time offer the user a safe and purified environment. Scentag Tea Fragrance Ceramic Scents is made with 100% organic and natural tea extracts, providing a fresh and clean scent that is both eco-friendly and safe for use in your car. After years of development and testing, with the insist on aesthetics and perfect proportion by designers, Finally, the Scentag magnetic ceramic car air fragrance was born, During the Post-Covid era, We want car owners to experience new aesthetics and quality within the car environment while surrounded by cleansing and safe air quality when they enter their car every moment. “Our goal is to create an exquisite living atmosphere in the future electric car.” The AC fan blade design has been used for many years within the automobile industry and has only been changed once Tesla released it. We realized how the brand created a futuristic aesthetic that no other brand has ever done it before. We believe the electric car is the future. We want our brand and products could match the luxury car quality. At the same time offer the user a safe and purified environment. Scentag Tea Fragrance Ceramic Scents is made with 100% organic and natural tea extracts, providing a fresh and clean scent that is both eco-friendly and safe for use in your car. After years of development and testing, with the insist on aesthetics and perfect proportion by designers, Finally, the Scentag magnetic ceramic car air fragrance was born, During the Post-Covid era, We want car owners to experience new aesthetics and quality within the car environment while surrounded by cleansing and safe air quality when they enter their car every moment.
12 What was the biggest challenge with this project?
I aim to transform the traditional perception of car fragrances, moving away from the typical image of colorful liquids with unpleasant scents. Drawing on my product design experience gained in Silicon Valley, I want to create Scentag in a manner reminiscent of a technological product. Currently, there aren't many fragrance products specifically developed for electric cars on the market. Recognizing the future trend of electric vehicles, I delved into studying Tesla and subsequently developed this product. The challenge lies in not having sufficient funds to purchase a Tesla for personal testing. Therefore, during the new product development phase, I needed to borrow Teslas from friends for product testing.
13 How has winning an Award developed your practice/career?
I am truly grateful for the Muse Design Award. On the journey of design creation, in addition to receiving market validation, having such a prestigious award for a new brand is undoubtedly a significant recognition for both the designer and the product.
14 What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
Chat GPT, MidJourney, Vizcom
15 What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
Taiwan is my hometown, and it is a highly internationalized city. For almost every project research, I don't limit myself to compiling market and product research from just one country. Instead, my approach is to gather information comprehensively, including the latest industry insights and news from Taiwan. Moreover, in the realm of Design for Manufacturing, controlling and estimating Bill of Materials (BOM) costs for each product significantly impacts the overall business. Taiwan boasts one of the top-quality supply chains not only in the consumer electronics sector but also in various resources like plastics, fabrics, and glass. Given my background, I am adept at immersing myself in the local context and effectively communicating the design throughout the entire production process.
16 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
During the past, we have done numerous sketches, 3D designs, and renderings. However, with the growing maturity of AI development, we can now easily express our concepts using keywords. For traditional industrial designers, if we don't transform, we will be obsolete within the industry very soon. In the future, when everyone can easily create their own creations, designers will need to shift their mindset and carve out a unique path to continue utilizing their skills.
17 If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring MUSE Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Stay with the latest trends and always sharpen your focus on cutting-edge trends and technology. Don't force yourself into something you're not good at; find your passion in one category/field. Push forward without any hesitation and showcase the best version of yourself.
18 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Pinterest, Youtube, Dezeen, Behance
19 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
My energy and inspiration are stimulated and collided by the surroundings and the team/group around me. I have high sensitivity and a fragile mind, but I need energy through human companionship.
20 Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My Ex is a very delicate individual with excellent interpersonal communication skills. He possesses a strong sense of aesthetics and a refined and delicate heart. Through his eyes, I can learn many aspects of human nature and perspectives in the business realm that I might not have seen before.
21 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
I never feel that I am successful; I believe entering this industry means there's never a day to stop. Perhaps only when I establish a constant and abundant source of income will I truly feel a sense of security. However, even with financial stability and success, they may not necessarily be synonymous. In my heart, true success lies in being with the people I love, living each day in an environment filled with love, and continuously creating. That, to me, is success.
22 Which THREE (3) friends/peers would you nominate to participate in the next MUSE Design Awards?
23 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?
As a female designer, surviving in the industry is no easy feat. Even as an entrepreneur, managing one's own brand while taking care of a family is a challenging task. For women to compete for resources in the world and maintain emotional balance, it is particularly challenging compared to men. They deserve more attention and recognition from the industry. A phrase that I've recently come to appreciate is, 'When a woman wins, we all win.'"
