Ian Tang
1. Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your background.
I'm Ian Tang, an industrial designer at Woodmax Ky Industries Corp. With a decade of experience as an innovative product designer, I am passionate about using my design skills to contribute to a better future.
2. What made you become/why did you choose to become a product designer?
As a child, I loved imagining and drawing robots and other cool creations. This passion led me to major in industrial design at university. Now, as a designer, I find the work both fun and challenging, allowing me to bring my creative visions to life.
3. Tell us more about your business/company, job profile, and what you do.
Woodmax is a professional one-stop solution for drinkware projects, providing leading design and manufacturing services for lifestyle products customized for global brands since 1986. My role at Woodmax involves designing innovative new products.
4. What does “design” mean to you?
For me, design is a transformative journey that takes us from our current situation to a brighter and more innovative future. It’s about envisioning possibilities and creating solutions that improve our lives and the world around us. Through thoughtful and creative design, we can address challenges, enhance experiences, and shape a better tomorrow.
5. What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
A truly impactful design not only provides excellent functionality but also delivers emotional value.
6. To you, what makes a “good” design?
A well-crafted design seamlessly aligns with the brand's marketing strategy, ensuring coherence and enhancing the overall brand message. It not only supports the brand's goals but also strengthens its identity and resonates with the target audience.
7. Describe your design style and its main characteristics.
I would describe my design style as a blend of functionality and aesthetics, balancing practical utility with visually appealing and metaphorically rich forms. This approach ensures that my designs are not only useful but also engaging and meaningful.
8. Tell us about your design process.
My design process begins with identifying the core problem that needs to be addressed. I then integrate functionality with a storytelling element, creating designs that are both practical and narratively compelling.
9. Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
I'm afraid not, I think that my design process is a separate entity from my country and cultural heritage.
10. Congratulations! As the winner of the 2024 NY Product Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
The impact is significant, both for the company and for me personally. We are thrilled and grateful to see the results, which greatly inspire us to continue creating more innovative products.
11. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the 2024 NY Product Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
Aquapod Jacana is the world's leading rechargeable flowmeter straw. As a pioneering product in the market, we entered it into the design award competition to increase its exposure and enhance our company's prestige.
12. What was the biggest challenge with this project?
To seamlessly integrate electrical components with mechanical parts, ensuring they harmonize perfectly with the overall design.
13. How has winning an award developed your practice/career?
It's a significant milestone in my design career over the past decade.
14. What are your top three (3) favorite things about our industry?
1. Filled with challenges, including the opportunity to learn new things.
2. I have the chance to meet many talented individuals and experts.
3. Experiencing the success of your product and witnessing its positive impact on the world.
15. What makes your country specifically, unique in the design industry?
My country is renowned for its technology and semiconductor industry, boasting a strong manufacturing foundation. This robust infrastructure greatly assists designers in turning their ideas into tangible products.
16. Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5-10 years, I anticipate the design industry will evolve in several significant ways. Sustainability will become a central focus, driving the creation of greener, more energy-efficient solutions that reduce environmental impact. Additionally, designs will place greater importance on offering emotional value, fostering deeper connections with users through thoughtful and meaningful experiences.
Moreover, there will be an increase in cross-disciplinary collaboration, with designers working alongside experts in fields such as technology, psychology, and environmental science. This interdisciplinary approach will yield more innovative and holistic solutions, addressing complex challenges and enhancing overall quality of life.
17. If you were a student entering this industry or an aspiring NY Product Design Awards submitter, what advice would you give them?
Just go for it. You never know until you try.
18. What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Feng Zhu youtube channel
19. Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
I consider myself fortunate and grateful to have become a designer.
20. Who has inspired you in your life and why?
In the design realm, I find the work of German designer Luigi Colani and Singaporean designer Feng Zhu to be my greatest sources of inspiration. Their designs, to me, embody a profound sense of freedom and passion, qualities I deeply admire and aspire to emulate.
21. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
For me, the key to success is uncovering the purpose of my life and fully embracing it. When you have a clear sense of purpose, it ignites your passion, steers your choices, and sustains your determination through obstacles.
