Interview
Minjun Liao
1 Congratulations on winning the MUSE Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
I’m an interior designer, passionate about the warmth and influence that space can bring. My journey into design began with observing how people interact with their surroundings. Realizing that my work could help others feel relaxed, secure, or understood gave me a true sense of purpose—and that continues to motivate me.
2 What does being recognized in the MUSE Design Awards mean to you?
This award is both an encouragement and a source of confidence for future challenges. Knowing that the concept behind my work is recognized internationally strengthens my resolve to create spaces with warmth and depth.
3 How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?
The award has brought greater visibility, allowing us to connect with diverse projects and collaborators. It’s not just about exposure—it’s also about reinforcing our confidence in the value of what we do.
4 What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?
For me, experimentation isn’t about bold shapes—it’s about using materials, lighting, and color in new ways to shape emotion. In Hair Reverie, we experimented with minimal forms and soft, diffused lighting to create an atmosphere where clients could feel both relaxed and trusting.
5 What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
One moment that inspired me was watching a hairstylist gently wash a client’s hair. It was quiet, trusting—almost ritualistic. That softness stayed with me, and I wanted to translate that feeling into a spatial experience. Hair Reverie became a place where people could truly let go and feel cared for.
6 What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
I hope more people understand that design isn’t set in stone from the start. It’s a process of continuous dialogue, adjustment, and response. A good space isn’t just visually appealing—it considers human experience in every detail.
7 How do you navigate the balance between meeting client expectations and staying true to your ideas?
I start by understanding what truly matters to the client, then reinterpret it through my design language. It’s not about forcing a concept but about using expertise as a bridge to reveal new possibilities.
8 What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
The challenge in Hair Reverie was creating depth and richness with a limited palette of materials and colors. We used lighting, subtle elevation shifts, and contrasting textures to keep the space calm yet layered.
9 How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
When I hit a creative block, I step away—go for a walk and observe the light and sounds in my daily surroundings. Sometimes, the atmosphere of a quiet street corner is all it takes to spark an idea.
10 What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
I value “rhythm” and “a sense of calm” in design because I believe space can help slow down emotions. This likely comes from my own sensitivity to sensory cues—I want people to feel cared for through the spaces I create.
11 What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
Keep observing life and stay curious about human nature. Skills can be trained, but sensitivity develops over time. Every project is a new lesson—embrace it.
12 If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would choose Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto. His poetic approach to nature, light, and spatial flow resonates deeply with my vision of atmospheric design.
13 What's one question you wish people would ask you about your work, and what's your answer?
I wish people would ask, “What makes this space feel worth staying in?” because that means the design truly resonates—it moves beyond the surface and into emotion.
