Name:  David Chang
Company:  David Chang Design Associates International Ltd.
Position within company:  Founder, Chief Design Director
Website:  www.dcida.com

. Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
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 honour 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 bespoke 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.

. How would you describe your personal interior design style?
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, 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.

. Where does your design inspiration come from?
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.

. In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense? 
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 history.
. Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2016 and beyond.
Environment – living conscious to our world and the care entrusted to us.
Technology – being open to adapt those new technologies that enhance our experiences.
Function – creating viable spaces that are individualized to our requirement.
Character – designing an environment that speaks to our clients’ essence.
Cost – being aware and responsive to the financial requirements of the project.

. If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?
Design should always be determined by the functional requirements of the clients’ individual style of living and spirit of comfort being the determining agent.

. How important are The International Design and Architecture Awards as recognition of talent and achievement?
As a pinnacle of prestige within the design community, the International Design and Architecture Awards have become an honour and privilege to be granted.  The award is both a benefit in marketing for firms with future projects and a personal honour of recognition in a field of amazingly talented peers.

. What projects are you currently working on?
Our current major projects include a 6,800 square meter private residence; a 4,800 square meter private residence; a 2,500 square meter display villa; a 4 star business hotel in the Philippines and a 2,000 square meter private clubhouse in a traditional Beijing courtyard style for a financial institution.

. What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
I would like to expand our bespoke design expertise from villas and clubhouses to both the seas and the sky by continuing to meet all our clientele’s needs into their yachts and private jets.

. Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself
Your most treasured possession?
Family.

Your favourite holiday destination?
The Maldives.

Your favourite hotel / restaurant / bar?
Sketch Restaurant in London.

Your favourite book / film / song?
Nightmare Before Christmas, an animation film.
The Picture at an Exhibition by Modest Mussorgsky.

Your favourite food and drink?
Japanese food especially Sushi and Sashimi and fresh mixed strawberry and blueberry smoothie.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon? (in no more than 25 words)
Reading book with classical or jazz music at the background in The Maldives.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
I would want to be a Pianist or Celloist if I had the time to develop my talent well enough to play professionally.

Anything else interesting?
My ultimate dream home would be 100% green energy home with lots of hidden storage built into the wall and an endless view from the windows on a remote island.