Interview
Evan Huang
1 Congratulations on winning the MUSE Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
Thank you. I'm Evan Huang, General Manager of GET-Tech Precision. I studied mechanical engineering and have worked in precision CNC machining and metal manufacturing for more than 30 years. My career did not begin in design. It began in manufacturing. Working with precision parts every day taught me that a good product is not only about accuracy or quality. It should also create a meaningful experience for the people who use it. Over time, I realized that good engineering and good design should always go hand in hand. GET-Tech was founded with my two longtime classmates, Gary Wen and Taili Yeh. We first met as mechanical engineering students in college, and more than 35 years later, we are still building products together. Although each of us followed a different career path, we have always shared the same passion for engineering, craftsmanship, and creating products with real value. The Revolver Cigar Set reflects that belief. We wanted to combine precision engineering with thoughtful design and create a premium lifestyle product that people would be proud to own. For me, good design is not only about how a product looks, but also how it works, how it feels, and the experience it creates.
2 What does being recognized in the MUSE Design Awards mean to you?
Winning is a great encouragement for our team. It shows that precision engineering and manufacturing can also be recognized for creativity and design. For many years, we have focused on making high-quality products for customers around the world. This award gives us the confidence to take another step forward and create products with our own ideas and identity. More importantly, this recognition belongs to everyone on our team. It reminds us that when engineering, craftsmanship, and design come together, they can create products that people truly appreciate. We hope this is just the beginning of our journey.
3 How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?
This award has been a great motivation for our team. For many years, we have worked behind the scenes, helping customers turn their ideas into high-quality products. Winning the MUSE Design Awards gave us the opportunity to show that we can also create original products with our own design and engineering. It has also brought more attention to GET-Tech and allowed more people to understand what we do. Many people know us as a precision manufacturing company, but through this project, they can also see our passion for product development and design. Most importantly, this award encourages us to continue creating products that combine engineering, craftsmanship, and creativity. We believe this is only the beginning, and we look forward to sharing more original ideas with the world.
4 What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?
Experimentation is an important part of every product we develop. We believe that a good idea only becomes a great product through many rounds of testing and refinement. For the Revolver Cigar Set, our biggest focus was the rotating cylinder. We wanted every turn to feel smooth and solid, with a clear mechanical click that users could both hear and feel. That experience could not be achieved by drawings alone. We made several prototypes and kept adjusting the structure, machining tolerances, and assembly details. Even very small changes could affect the sound, the resistance, and the overall feeling of the rotation. Every prototype taught us something new. Step by step, we refined the product until it delivered the experience we had imagined.
5 What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
The inspiration for the Revolver Cigar Set came from something unexpected—the precision mechanics of a revolver cylinder. Our company has many years of experience manufacturing high-precision components for industries with very demanding quality standards. Through that work, we developed a deep appreciation for mechanical structures, precision movement, and fine craftsmanship. What inspired us was not the weapon itself, but the engineering behind it. The smooth rotation, the precise alignment, and the satisfying mechanical click are all examples of excellent mechanical design. We wanted to bring that same level of precision and craftsmanship into a premium lifestyle product. By transforming an industrial mechanism into an elegant cigar accessory, we created a product that offers both functional value and an enjoyable user experience.
6 What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
I wish more people understood that good design is about much more than appearance. The shape is only the beginning. Choosing the right material, refining the surface finish, balancing the weight, and making every detail feel natural are all part of the design process. These small details may not be noticed at first, but together they create the overall experience. For me, good design is not about adding more. It is about refining every detail until the product feels complete.
7 How do you navigate the balance between meeting client expectations and staying true to your ideas?
My experience in OEM manufacturing has taught me to always start by understanding customers’ needs. Every successful product should solve a real problem and create value for the people who use it. When we develop our own products, we keep the same mindset. At the same time, we also have the freedom to express our own ideas and design philosophy. Instead of following market trends, we focus on creating products with their own identity and lasting value. I believe the best products are created when practical experience and original ideas come together. That balance helps us develop products that are both meaningful and enjoyable to use.
8 What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
One of the biggest challenges was turning our idea into a product that truly felt premium. We carefully selected every material and every manufacturing process. From the 7075 aerospace-grade aluminum and precision CNC machining to the surface finishing, each detail had to meet our expectations for quality, durability, and appearance. We also paid a lot of attention to the packaging. The walnut storage case and the Spanish cedar lining were designed to create a complete experience from the moment the box is opened. Throughout the development process, we kept asking ourselves one question: “Would we be proud to own this product?” If the answer was no, we continued improving it. That mindset helped us create a product that reflects the craftsmanship and quality we believe in.
9 How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
When I need fresh ideas, I like to slow down and enjoy a good cigar. For me, smoking a cigar is not just a hobby. It is also a time to relax, think, and appreciate craftsmanship. I often pay attention to how different cigar accessories are designed and ask myself how they could be improved. Many ideas for the Revolver Cigar Set came from these moments. Inspiration does not always come when I am sitting at my desk. Sometimes it comes while enjoying a cigar, talking with friends, or simply observing how people interact with a product. I believe creativity comes naturally when you truly enjoy what you do.
10 What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
I believe good products should be honest, well made, and built to last. My experience in precision manufacturing has taught me that quality comes from respecting every detail. Whether it is the material, the machining, the surface finish, or the way a product feels in your hand, every step matters. I also believe that good design should not follow short-term trends. Instead, it should create a timeless experience that people can enjoy for many years. That is the value I hope every product from GET-Tech can represent.
11 What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
My advice is to stay curious and never stop learning. Good design is about more than creativity. Learn how products are made, understand materials, and spend time talking with engineers, manufacturers, and users. The more you understand the whole process, the better your designs will become. Most importantly, don't be afraid to build prototypes and learn from mistakes. Every successful product is the result of many improvements, not one perfect idea.
12 If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
Rather than choosing one particular designer, I would love to collaborate with talented designers, engineers, and craftsmen from different fields. Every industry has its own way of solving problems, and I believe there is always something we can learn from each other. When people with different skills work together, they often create ideas that one person could never develop alone. That is also how GET-Tech was built. Our team comes from different professional backgrounds, and we believe the best products are created through collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared passion for craftsmanship.
