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Today I bring you an interview with Kenneth W. K. Wu, winner of the Judge’s Award Third Place at the 2006-2007 Next-Gen PC Design Competition. Zeed+ for the Future, the name for his winning design, uses stem-shaped hardware modules that can be plugged into a base for hardware upgradability, all without needing to open a computer case. This convenient design comes in the look of a flower vase. In addition to winning numerous other design awards, Kenneth is also one of the founders of Monoedge Inc., an award-winning website design firm, where he holds the position of Creative Director. See what he has to say to some of my questions on design and about himself.

What made you become interested in design?

I believe it is the empty space in my textbooks which provided me a lot of space to think and dream in school.

To be selected by the jury panel is an extraordinary accomplishment. What was your reaction when you learned that you won the Judge’s Award?

There are many good designs in the competition. Both 1st and 2nd Judge’s Award designs are actually my top 3 predictions, I am proud to have competed and be selected among with those talented designers. Joining this design competition is just a fun experience, I enjoy the process very much and being selected is a bonus.

Explain how you came up with the idea of Zeed+.

The idea came from my own experience with PCs. Although I use computers for my design works everyday, I hate to open the computer case to figure out what happened when something goes wrong or something needs to be upgraded. I always ask myself, “Can those IC boards look less complicated and look more user friendly?” “Can I fix or upgrade my computer without opening the case?” During the brainstorming, I am also inspired by a documentary show, which talks about how our environment got polluted by mountains of old and unusable computer hardware. The direction of the design (form and mobility) had been defined since then. With the advantage of the mobility, each zeed can be easily upgraded or changed. It also offers the benefit of trading or recycling the old “zeeds” to different market segments. Children in developing countries will have better chance to gather those donated zeeds to form a computer instead of waiting for a full piece donated computer. This is what I feel proud of and it is also the message behind the name, Zeed+, “when you need something, you seed something.”

How much time did it take to turn Zeed+ from a brief idea to a finalized, detailed concept?

It took me couple months to brainstorm ideas along the design direction during the travel time to work, and a month to finalize the details on visual presentation.

What do you think your design style is?

I am an architecture grad, so I am no stranger of the debate of “form follows function” or “function follows form”. But I don’t see they should follow each other, instead, I see they should interact to each other to follow the design purpose. I enjoy putting a lot of thought into the design and let people to explore the meaning and reason behind it. Design for purpose and design with reasons is my design theory. But I don’t really think I have any particular design style, please drop me a line and let me know what my style is after you take a look of www.kennethuuu.com, thanks!

Tell us something about Monoedge Inc. and what you do there.

I co-founded Monoedge Inc. with two of my university collegiate, Alec Ng and Vincent Chan in 2001. We are considered one of the pioneers who introduce 3D spatial elements to the flat webpage design industry in the old days. As a Creative Director, I am responsible for most of the art and creative output. Client projects include website design and online marketing presentation.

What areas of website design do you see as being the same as or different from product design?

No matter it is dealing with pixel or mm, every unit counts for both website design and product design to make our life easier; provide experience, enjoyment and inspiration to users. On the other hand, both website design and product design have their own design challenges, such as the timing, flow and transaction between sections for website design; extra dimension, materials, regulations and manufacture issue for product design. You will see the trend of crossover between web and product interface design when the bendable OLED displays become popular for the product design in the future.

What do you see as the current and future state of website design?

The latest technology of flash effect, HD video content and fast connection has provided the best platform ever for designers to explode creativity andpossibility. I can see the future of website design will expand the focus to the mobile device and multi-touch displays in public places.

You also design brand logos. What’s your perspective on logos?

Logo is the face of a brand. It is a pretty face which makes people remember you easily; a face which tells who you are; a face which represents your spirit; and a face wouldn’t make people think you are brother of your competitors. Rather than telling the full story via the logo, I usually leave some space for people to imagine the meaning behind it. Exploring and studying the meaning behind logos and brand name is a great design practice, try it when you have chance.

Who or what you think has influenced your design work?

The vision of Mc Escher, the pop effect of Andy Warhol and the beauty of nature have influenced my design work a lot. Besides, I always ask myself “What if?” and “What if not?” during observation of designs around us. From the shape of the road sign to the function of our nails, I will try to answer the question with my own design theory. This type of practice influences my design work as well.

Over the course of your design career, how do you see your work change?

I used to put all the focus on defining my own style and signature in my early stage of my design career. Nowadays, I put more effort on the defining the value of the final product, such as how and what users benefit from the design.

When do you consider a design a good design?

I see a good design as a piece of work which should make our life easier; provide experience, enjoyment and inspiration for people.

What do you think are the most important attributes of a designer?

Observation and appreciation of other designs, cultures and trends are very important to a designer. A designer who designs within an enclosed room could only design things within a box.

Tell us about your favorite design projects.

Zeed+ is no question one of my favorite design projects, but what’s the Next design after this Next Gen PC Design?

Zeerog, Glasses with zero grams is also one of my favourite design projects. The weight of the glasses is reduced dramatically by the simple magnetic system. The challenge for this project is to keep the characteristic of the glasses but keeping it as light as a pair contact lens at the same time.

My favourite web design project is www.monoedge.com, it was considered one of the topnotch web design in the old days. We haven’t updated the website since it was launched because we just want to keep the space and the mood as it is.

What do you think is the most challenging part of your work?

The most challenging part of my work is to find the right balance and focus among the design perspective, the business perspective, time and budget. Designers need to think quickly and move fast; otherwise, you will end up watching others filling your dream on their canvas. You think different doesn’t mean different people will not think about the same thing in the other corner of the world, especially when we are living in the global village and influenced by the same media and resource.

When you’re not designing something, what hobbies do you enjoy?

I enjoy shopping, playing video games, movies and watching sports and surfing fwa.com, engadget.com regularly.

Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring designers who want to enter the industry?

Nobody can read your creative mind and your well trained skills until you let them visualize it. Your portfolio is the pass to enter the industry, (and on-line is always a bonus). Surfing design websites and reading design magazines will also open your mind and give you the latest updates of design standard, trends and technology. Once you enter the industry, you will find out being a designer is a cool job, not only make our world look more beautiful, but also make our life easier and better.

Many thanks to Kenneth for his sharing his valuable insights. If you haven’t already, you can head to Kenneth’s website where you can see his work portfolio including brand logos, websites, and other award-winning product designs.

All images courtesy of Kenneth W. K. Wu. (c) Kenneth W. K. Wu