Home Journal’s Top 50 Soirée 2024: Design Luminaries On How They Find Their Inspiration
Back for its second edition, Home Journal’s Top 50 Cocktail Soirée took place this year at the stunning Townplace West Kowloon, where spark, glamour, and inspiration abounded.
Sponsored by Bosch Hong Kong, EuroCave, Hästens Hong Kong, JS Aluminum Window, Kitchen Highlights, Schneider Electric, and VALPAINT, this exclusive event brought together an elite group of Hong Kong designers for an inspiring evening, marked by a panel discussion on the sources of design inspiration.
The panel, joined by Frank Leung, founder of via.; Joyce Wang, founder of Joyce Wang Studio; Manfred Yuen, founder of Groundwork Architects & Associates; and moderated by Jennifer Chan, managing editor of Home Journal; explored how design luminaries look for their own inspiration from everyday life, harnessing both spontaneous and cultivated creativity to inform their work, along with the significance of art in enriching the design outcome.
In her opening remarks, Chan noted: "In today's digital age, references and inspiration are just a click away on an app, and clients are more informed than ever. They're no longer simply looking for a product or service; they want to understand the values and philosophy behind what they choose. It's no longer just about what they buy, but who they buy from."
"As a media outlet, we aim to use the Top 50 to tell your story and give our readers a deeper understanding of who you are as a designer, instead of just beautiful photos or images. So in each edition of the Top 50, we pose different questions to be more relevant to our readers. For example, this year, we're focusing on design inspiration."
Why inspiration? Chan cited a recent conversation with a design veteran, who once said: "To create exceptional work, one must first know how to live well, because life itself often gives us great design inspirations."
But the question arises: Is inspiration a sudden spark or something cultivated through life's experiences?
Wang believes inspiration takes time to cultivate, as it often accumulates from our daily experiences. Sometimes it may take months or even years before it surfaces in our minds.
She recounted how the spiral staircase in the classic French film noir "Alphaville" inspired her deconstructed chandelier design for the AMMO restaurant. She believes trusting your own ideas is crucial when bringing inspiration to life. “Don’t underestimate your own ideas,” she noted. “If you don’t believe in it, nobody else will.”
Leung agrees that inspiration is not just a serendipitous discovery, but a cultivated effort through paying attention to our daily lives. This is why he keeps a visual journal that serves as his inspiration.
"Every photo is a frozen moment in time, capturing the essence of light, motion, and street photography." The subject matter usually captivates him, while at other times it’s the skilful composition and the interplay of light and darkness that pique his curiosity.
For Yuen, embracing the limitations that come with public architecture is just as important as the design itself. “For me, in architecture, constraints and requirements set by clients serve as my biggest source of inspiration,” he noted.
He and Wang share a common vision – to create a dialogue between spaces and people through their works. The two visionaries agree that quality design should leave users reflecting on and remembering the experience long after they have left.
Besides drawing from personal experiences and engaging with life, all three panellists highlighted the importance of communication and the collaborative efforts in their work. Leung said: “No one can complete a project entirely on their own.” While Wang added: “Even industry newcomers can offer valuable insights.”
“In line with the purpose of the Top 50 soiree, we aim to provide a platform for everyone to get to know each other, to exchange, and to connect,” Chan concluded.
Also on display on-site was a series of refined homeware provided by premium lifestyle brands. These included exceptional wine cabinets by EuroCave; premium mattresses by Hästens Store Hong Kong; and a design-forward smart system control panel by Schneider Electric. The evening also had a social raffle with valuable gifts provided by the event’s honourable sponsors.
Watch the full panel discussion:
Highlight moments: