Interview
Min Jun Liao
1 Congratulations on winning the French Design Awards! Can you introduce yourself and share about what inspired you to pursue design as a career?
I am an interior designer who believes that spaces are not just containers, but emotional connectors between people and their surroundings. Early on, it was my clients’ trust and appreciation that fueled my passion. With every project, I found a sense of accomplishment that solidified my decision to keep creating meaningful spaces.
2 What does being recognised in the French Design Awards mean to you?
This recognition signifies that our work resonates not only with clients but also with the global design community. To me, it’s not only an honour but also a responsibility — a reminder to keep striving for design that is pure, inspiring, and impactful.
3 How has this achievement impacted your career, team, or agency, and what opportunities has it brought so far?
It has given us greater visibility, attracted new collaborations, and boosted the confidence of our team. It opened doors to more challenging projects and allowed us to exchange ideas with professionals from different fields, broadening our creative perspective.
4 What role does experimentation play in your creative process? Can you share an example?
Experimentation is like nourishment — it pushes design beyond its limits. For instance, in a residential project, we explored the use of indirect lighting integrated with stone walls. The layered lighting brought the natural stone veins to life, turning a traditionally solid material into something unexpectedly soft and rhythmic.
5 What's the most unusual source of inspiration you've ever drawn from for a project?
Once, inspiration came from the gentle ripples of water. Its natural rhythm led me to translate “flow” into interior elements, resulting in curvilinear light bands and fluid spatial circulation, making the interior feel alive and breathing.
6 What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the design process?
I wish people understood that good design is not a single spark of inspiration — it’s a process of dialogue, testing, and refinement. It requires both creativity and logic; it’s art balanced with craftsmanship
7 How do you navigate the balance between meeting client expectations and staying true to your ideas?
I first seek to understand what truly matters to the client, then use my expertise to create a solution that enhances both function and aesthetics. When a vision can be transformed into a “better version” that still respects the client’s needs, balance naturally follows.
8 What were the challenges you faced while working on your award-winning design, and how did you overcome them?
The project had complex requirements, with tight budgets and schedules. Through close coordination with contractors, careful material adjustments, and consistent focus on the design’s core values, we managed to deliver the original vision without compromise.
9 How do you recharge your creativity when you hit a creative block?
I step away — travel, visit exhibitions, or even just take a walk. When my mind relaxes, ideas return more naturally. Sometimes, simply viewing the same problem from a new angle brings the solution.
10 What personal values or experiences do you infuse into your designs?
I value the “emotional temperature” of a space. Whether residential or commercial, I want people to feel understood and respected in the environments we create — not just beautiful, but empowering and alive.
11 What is an advice that you would you give to aspiring designers aiming for success?
Stay passionate but grounded. Design is not only about talent but also about patience and attention to detail. Be bold enough to try, humble enough to listen, and let each experience build the foundation for the next breakthrough.
12 If you could collaborate with any designer, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would love to collaborate with Kengo Kuma. His sensitivity to materials and respect for nature deeply inspire me. I want to learn how to dialogue more gracefully with the environment in contemporary design.
13 What's one question you wish people would ask you about your work, and what's your answer?
I wish someone would ask: “What is the most meaningful part of design for you?” My answer would be: “That moment when a project is complete, and I see the surprise and joy in the users’ eyes — that’s when all the effort finds its true value.”
