Chris Infotainment

The Vision of Naoto Fukasawa: Designing for Harmony and Intuition In an exclusive interview, the renowned product designer Naoto Fukasawa shared his insights on design philosophy, emphasizing the importance of creating objects that seamlessly integrate into users' lives. This conversation took place on the sidelines of BODW In the City, an extension of Hong Kong's Business of Design Week, which recently concluded on January 18. Fukasawa’s work has long been celebrated for its purity of form, tactile warmth, and quiet sophistication. Yet, he claims not to have a consistent design philosophy. "I don't have a consistent philosophy running through my projects," he states. Instead, his focus lies in crafting objects that evoke a sense of "rightness" — a feeling of harmony between the object and its user. This approach, while seemingly simple, is deeply rooted in the idea that no product exists in isolation. Even something as basic as a water bottle requir...

A Legacy of Light and Tradition One of the city's most prolific festive light designers recalls his career spent illuminating the Hong Kong skyline. It was December 1990, and he was four years old. Hong Kong then got much colder than it does today, but standing to his mother's right as they took in the Christmas lights, his younger brother to her left, the cold seemed to melt away. Wide-eyed and clutching his mother's hand, he gazed upon the illuminated towers and parapets of a snow-white castle. Angels perched on the battlements, haloes aglow. Fairy lights festooned the winter scene on the waterfront by Harbour City, in Tsim Sha Tsui. Hong Kong's ascent was written in Christmas lights. Mirroring the emergence of a booming economy and a burgeoning middle class, the annual citywide illuminations have marked a tradition for many families in the former British colony since the 1950s. Our own family's ritual had begun in the 60s, when my mother, Clara Chung Lo-ling, w...

A Journey from Hotel Hospitality to Design Leadership My Hong Kong childhood was very typical. I'm the oldest of five girls. From a young age, I carried the responsibility of helping my mum look after my sisters, so I developed a big sister mentality. That sense of looking after people is deeply rooted in my personality. Hospitality was introduced to me through one incident at my first job, selling advertising for a woman's magazine. I met the PR manager of a hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. I was very young and my first impression was she's so beautiful, nice and elegant. I wondered, "Do all people in hotels look like this?" I didn't really think much about it until I moved to Hawaii, in the United States. My American Then-Husband My then-husband wanted to move back home so I went with him. I wanted to work because it was boring to stay home. I applied for a job at a hotel in Maui and got an interview. Being from Hong Kong, I was very well dressed. But Hawaii is v...

A Fusion of Cultures at the Design Fair At the second edition of the Maison&Objet Interieurs design fair, visitors can expect to see a unique blend of global influences. From Beijing courtyard homes reimagined through a Parisian lens to New Delhi's architectural geometry meeting European aesthetics, the event showcases the creative visions of Hong Kong and international design luminaries such as Patrizia Moroso and Ann Chan. The fair, which returns to the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from December 3 to 6, features a lineup of 16 renowned designers. Their work explores themes of family, belonging, and the intersection of cultures. The fair's theme, "Crossroads," aims to reinforce Hong Kong's position as Asia's design hub. Three Zones for Inspiration and Networking The event is divided into three distinct zones. The Design Factory serves as an inspiration hub, featuring four pavilions that focus on sustainability and material innovation. ...

The Timeless Allure of Pebbles in Modern Jewelry Design Pebbles, with their smooth, tactile, and organic qualities, have long captured the imagination of designers. Their natural appeal and simplicity offer a sense of grounding that resonates deeply in today’s fast-paced world. From sculptural pieces to minimalist designs, pebbles are inspiring elegant creations that feel both refined and personal. At the London-based label By Pariah, designer Sophie Karg takes an abstract approach to the pebble trend. "I've always been drawn to organic shapes that feel both grounding and elegant," she says. Her work focuses on evoking "ease and quiet confidence" through the pebble form. The Pebble pendant, for instance, is crafted from moss agate and 14k recycled gold, featuring a smooth silhouette bisected by a line of pave-set white diamonds. "It's minimal yet impactful," she adds. "It captures the essence of what I aim to create: jewellery that feels per...

Daegu City Unveils Winning Design for New City Hall Daegu City has officially announced the winner of its international design competition for the new city hall. The winning entry, titled ‘FORETscape: A Cultural Government Building Embracing the Forest’ , was submitted by a consortium led by Now Dongin Architects Office Co., Ltd. This innovative design has been recognized for its thoughtful integration with the surrounding environment and its commitment to public engagement. The competition attracted 29 domestic and international architectural firms, either as individual participants or in collaborative groups. These submissions resulted in a total of 14 entries that were evaluated by a panel of expert judges. Among these, the winning design stood out for its ability to connect key urban elements such as Gamsam Station, the new city hall, and Duryu Park. The concept also emphasizes efficient land use and the creation of open spaces that are accessible to the public. The proposed str...

Introduction to the University Collaboration Program The Seoul Design Foundation's 'University Collaboration Program' has officially launched as part of the DDP Design Fair. The initiative kicked off on the 1st with a visit to the LG Design Management Center in Magok, Seoul. This program is designed to foster collaboration between academic institutions and industry leaders, offering students hands-on experience in real-world design scenarios. Key Activities and Insights Gained On the 5th, the foundation shared details about the program, stating that nineteen university teams of young designers participated in an industry-academic cooperation initiative. These students visited the LG Design Management Center in Magok, Seoul, on the 1st to engage in practical training focused on real-world applications. The program included a tour of the LG Electronics Gallery, an introduction to the design management center, and lectures by in-house designers. Through these activities, s...

Training and Development for Artisans and SMEs in Ghana The Design and Technology Institute (DTI) has successfully graduated 525 Mastercraft Persons, Artisans, and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Ho, located in the Volta Region. This milestone was achieved through the DTI/Mastercard Foundation Project Phase Two initiative, which focused on training participants in Precision Quality (PQ) at Work. The event took place under the theme “Precision Quality at Work: Integrating the Informal Sector into the Larger Ghanaian Economy.” The graduates included individuals with physical challenges, highlighting the inclusive nature of the program. This initiative not only aimed to enhance technical skills but also to instill a mindset of excellence, discipline, and continuous improvement. Mr. Edwin Faryosey, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at DTI, emphasized that the training was more than just skill acquisition; it was about shaping attitudes and raising industry standards. Participa...