Interview
Mau-Sheng Hou
1 Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
Hi, my name is Mau-Sheng Hou. I have a PhD in immunology with years of experience in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry.
2 What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
Our hair root product formulation began as "botanic only". We further implement our "ideology for sustainability" through product design and development. A designer is what it takes, but not what it names.
3 Tell us more about your agency/company, job profile, and what you do.
DEZONE focused on health care for the hair root. We create innovative delivery methods that facilitate the deep absorption of botanic-based formulations for each hair follicle. Strengthened root comes from counteracting growth burdens including oxidative stress, scalp microbiome, and hormone metabolites.
4 What does “design” mean to you?
“Design” means extraction of elements from existing products; Repurpose through new organization in sequence, ratio, or special allocation that gives the target audience a novelty perception or an innovative functionality.
5 What’s your favorite kind of design and why?
Simple, transparent, straightforward. Customers can understand intuitively.
6 To you, what makes a “good” design?
A “good” design could trigger a “second thought” for the audience.
7 How did you come up with the idea for your award-winning design?
Have a cup of coffee with my wife as we discuss the future of our children.
8 What was your main source of inspiration for this design?
Color of beetles in the forest.
9 Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
The “pragmatic” in our culture had a great impact on my design.
10 Congratulations! As the winner of the French Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
Being recognised by a global design award is a huge honor for us and the company. The award fuels our motivation for more great designs in the future.
11 Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the French Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
The "Eucalyptus & Evening Primrose Serum" for hair root micron-care is one of our innovative products under the "DEZONE" series. The serum is especially good for those struggling with excessive hair loss and dandruff problems. We wanted to share this product with everyone who finds work stressful yet still embraces the challenges.
12 What were the main challenges you faced during the design process, and how did you overcome them?
Placing elements extracted from different products and putting them together in a new way can lead to "inadequate fitness" between these elements. To overcome these “inconsistent” or “awkward” situations, we need to adjust the balance between “creativity” and “functionality”.
13 How do you think winning this award will impact your future as a designer?
Participating in design award events encourages us to think more globally and learn from designers from different fields.
14 What are your top three (3) favorite things about the design industry?
Designs that bring people together unexpectedly.
15 What sets your design apart from others in the same category?
Our design path was "outside-in." We are not "well trained" but have come into the specific product design from "outside the box".
16 Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
Creativity comes from the "NEW" way people can see the world. Then, AI learns from our NEW experiences and saturates the industry instantly.
17 What advice do you have for aspiring designers who want to create award-winning designs?
Try your best to see the world in a new way.
18 What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
We can still study the pattern/forms/color/rhythm of Biology and Nature.
19 Tell us something you have never told anyone else.
I don’t want to tell you!
20 Who has inspired you in your life and why?
Those who find me annoying. Because “friction” helps identify “integration”. The process of self-integration is always inspiring!
21 What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Faith, Family, and Friends.
22 Do you have anything else you would like to add to the interview?
Please try our serum product! It is really good for reducing hair loss!
