Design City: Talent Spotlight in Bangkok
Interview with Pirawayt Krasaesom

TAXI >>How would you describe the design scene in Bangkok? Pirawayt Krasaesom>>The design scene in Bangkok is increasing continually. There are lots of new Art centres which are opened for people with interest in artistic activities. Television and new media such as the internet, which is very fast these days, is an accessible tool for us to broaden our knowledge and to utilise in our work, which is important to the art community in Bangkok. These tools have enabled us to create more diverse art projects. We definitely like to get out there and learn new cultures, and we are excited to adapt them with our own. Traditional Thai art is not as well known as this new digital style because of its conservative roots. Also, it is important to note that Thai traditions and beliefs limit an artist’s style of expression. There are Thai applied arts [sic] and Thai contemporary art which go side by side with the new style. For instance, Thai decorative style and new silk patterns are used in international fashion shows. In my opinion, art in Thailand and all around the world are getting on well together. It is going to be better than language or writing in carrying messages from one to another. It uses feelings to carry them. This opinion has led me to be enthusiastic about learning the differences between cultures and the society of each country. Then I will know how to apply these differences to my culture. TAXI >> What do you feel is lacking in Bangkok's design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual? What do you foresee in the industry's future? Pirawayt Krasaesomn>>Originally, Thailand started as an agricultural country. We export agricultural products. We have an apparent weakness to overlook what natural resources we have that can be used well for designing. We lack certain technologies to support our production. It would be faster if we could have them. However, we also have to be more intense to think how to design fro the bottom of our soul and then to mix it with the international styles. I think that this is the permanent way for designing in Thai. TAXI >>You wrote that nature has given humans a great creativity and that it is quietly placed in our DNA waiting to be discovered. What drives your passion to design – tell us more about the underlying expressions in your DNA “waiting to be discovered”. Pirawayt Krasaesom>>I read science books about DNA; in humans everybody has a different one. It depends on what you can find in yourself and then what you will do with it. DNA for me is something which is specific for each person, such as duty. It works all the time to make a demand for us to think and express something incessantly. I believe that everybody is different since birth. That is why we have to find an answer from ourselves and the environment around us. I do like science When I was young I dreamt of being a scientist. But I like art and beauty so I decided to study it. Since then I know how to manage my thoughts and make my own conceptual art. But I am still returning to the fundamentals of scientific principles which is easy as I studied when I was young, using it in my art work. For example, to work by observing, assuming, experimenting and then conclusions…. Even using a microscope, which I can see, to see what I can’t from using my own eyes. Due to these experimentations, I can find a new world. Then I try to use my eyes and see it like everything is seen through a microscope. TAXI >>The room you personally designed in Reflections Hotel was inspired from when you lived in the countryside, hence its name Tropical Cool. Was it initially difficult coming up with a theme to design this room? Pirawayt Krasaesom>>My concept of this room is from the environment around me when I was young, like describing how beautiful nature was in the area. Then I moved from the countryside to Bangkok to study and work. So I mixed that old beautiful thing in my mind with the new things where I was and then these led to my initial idea, “My spiritless countryside and the life in the city”. Moreover, I got ideas from the stamen of flowers and as there are some interesting patterns in them and the it became the concept for this room “Tropical Cool”. TAXI >> Tell us three things that are distinctively Thai that influence your work. Pirawayt Krasaesom>>Thailand is a tropical country. The biological system is abundant. I grab the prominence of this to inspire me to do art works. For example, a structure of a human, plant flower or a small animal. Also I love to live in the countryside. My artistic style is associated with the patterns, the colours, contrasting lines and odd forms from nature. Then I mix the structure of some organic form and geometric forms and after that I can add and change them to be a new style with my own individual concept.

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Design City: Talent Spotlight in Bangkok
Interview with Visionary

TAXI >> How would you describe the design scene in Bangkok? Visionary>>In terms of techniques and craft, it seems that they have been significantly developed to bring our images in our imaginations to life. However, we still hardly see new things in terms of concept and creativity. TAXI >>What do you feel is lacking in Bangkok's design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual? Visionary>>We believe that mostly we don’t lack creativity, design or conceptual skills, but authority. It is found in many cases that lots of interesting design works (that also meets marketing objectives and brand footprint) were refused and freezed by some extreme conservative marketers. This is because the authority to judge and publicize the creative and design works is in the hands of marketers in the final process. So, it means that we let the marketers judge the design works. But it is found that not a few marketers are open to us and let us share our specialization with them. What I try to do and solve this problem is learning from them first, about their branding and marketing objectives. Also we try to motivate them about the concept and interesting design. We believe that if we can share, speak their language and compromise with one another, we will reach to where creativity or design meets marketing objectives. This is about to increase our power to release the interesting design works in this industry; mainly advertisng industry, where we often find the uneasy co-existence between design and marketing. TAXI >>What are the principles that you impart to the designers working with and for you?? Visionary>>Do what you like to do or can do “to get what you love. ” I often share this to my designers working for me. As we hardly find the persons who live for works in reality, we encourage through this thought that we work for life. We work to get new football sneakers to play with one another on Saturday! We work hard to get Ferrari! Though we are doing what we are happy with,we have to find the short term and long term aims as mentioned above to encourage to work on, since we work “so hard” and tough in this industry. For the designers working with me, one important point I’ve found during on screen with them is that we have to get and ask them what they want in overall picture; for example, mood and tone first. If we get that the right way, we don’t need to waste time in vane to go in small details with no directions. Sometimes some on-screen designers or visualizers can share some techniques of the computer programme to get what the art directors want in short-cut and the right way . TAXI >>How do you feel the international industry has influenced the design community in Thailand? Visionary>>With today’s speedy globalization that goes wider and deeper, we can see international works much more and faster through media. It is as if we have bigger library.These works have inspired and activated the design community in Thailand. TAXI >>What advice do you have for young designers venturing out of Thailand into the global industry? Visionary>>Seeing works, listening to others and learining from others as much as you can. In the meanwhile, you should realize that you should be ready for sharing your points with others, as well. It means that it would be good, if you have had discovered your strong point at one level and seen others’ works enough before venturing.

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Design City: Talent Spotlight in Bangkok
Interview with ISE

TAXI >> How would you describe the design scene in Bangkok? ISE>>I was born and have grown up in Bangkok. Most of my design ideas come from various factors which have been happening in Bangkok. For example, the social gap, culture, the environment and people’s lifestyles. I reckon Thai people’s skill are not inferior to other countries, we do have heaps of great illustrators, graphic designers, creatives, etc. This kind of job in Thailand is still growing up and a little bit fuzzy. It holds no drama for some because we do lack of investors who are really interested in this and really want to invest in the hub that can encourage this kind of business. These things would make the design scene in Bangkok fuzzy for awhile the same as the Bangkok people lifestyles which have been fuzzy and busy. Anyway, I still do like Bangkok and the busy life here because I can see lots of strange and weird things which are the sources of my ideas. TAXI >>What do you feel is lacking in Bangkok’s design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual? ISE>> One thing I don't have is the chance to show what I've done to the nation. Meaning, this place hasn't used my capacity effectively. As I mentioned above, here is still lacking a good hub. Ordinary people who work in design-related fields will never understand and think the design job as not important. Actually, it's quite important and can also describe the quality of life for the people in each town. Thus, I believe that if it has good public relations including good support in terms of design jobs available, it will let the new generation better access and understand the design job more easily. In addition, they also view better jobs and improve their prospects. Then the level of design jobs in Bangkok will be upgraded. TAXI >>Where do you draw your influences from, and what inspires you in your designs? ISE>>I think my influences come from girl characteristics. For instance, only my mom has been taking care of me, I’ve studied in girls’ schools, comic books and Japanese animation for girls, female pictures. All of these are my influences which have been reflected to my designs. Most of my designs are always emphasis on females; I do like to tell the story of the female and female’s emotion through my designs. Female images are always standing out in my designs. When I said standing out it does not just only mean I make female images that are beautiful – it could be strong, ambitious, and arrogant or sad as long as the female images are outstanding. TAXI >>Being a fresh graduate, how do you feel about the design education in schools? ISE>>I think students' work is an innovation because everyone tries their best to improve his/her works. Thus, he/she could learn new things and knowledge all the time. Also, he/she could try to do some challenges to develop his/her ideas and skills. TAXI >>What advice would you give aspiring designers new in the industry? ISE>>Being yourself is the best for becoming an illustrator. Your job can tell your characters of what you've done. I’ve seen many people try to force themselves to do what they are not expert at and finally, it's like they have to swim in the opposite direction against the river. However, you should not forget the message which is sent to the audience. The message doesn't convey only meaning but it also includes the details in a whole picture because it is the good meaning of good illustrator.

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Design City: Talent Spotlight in Bangkok
Interview with Chalermphol Harnchakkham

TAXI >> How would you describe the design scene in Bangkok? Chalermphol Harnchakkham>>There’s a wide variety of styles here in Bangkok. We have lots of old school painters and sculptors that take the more traditional artistic approach, and then there are the more technological artists like me that specialize in designing with computers to create cutting edge images. TAXI >>What do you feel is lacking in Bangkok's design industry and how do you think you can contribute to the industry, society and economy as a creative individual? Chalermphol Harnchakkham>>I’d have to say that I wish Bangkok showcased more original artwork. Since we are not the wealthiest artists around, a lot of designers don’t have the time or training to develop innovative styles. Unfortunately, many of us have to resort to copying familiar images in order to pay the rent. On the bright side, I’ve been blessed with a decent job and training, and have been able to develop my own personal style through countless projects. Hopefully you guys like the Huebucket look! TAXI >> You have an interesting variety of styles in your designs. What are your influences, and what inspires you? Chalermphol Harnchakkham>>There are so many influences in my life! If I had to narrow it down to the main ones, I’d say that anime, music, the human body and dreams are my main muses. In addition, thanks to sites like Threadless, Design by Humans and Deviant Art, I’m able to see what thousands of artists around the world are contributing, and that can push me to try a new style. TAXI >>You have an amazing collection on threadless.com! I think my favourite is Royal Intrigued Series 1. In what direction do you feel your art will continue to grow into next? Chalermphol Harnchakkham>>That’s one of my favorites too! You have good taste :P I think my art has grown a lot since I started to do submissions on Threadless. In the future I plan on using some new styles that no one has seen me do yet. It’s hard to say what I’ll be drawing next, but as soon as I know, I’ll put it up for you to see. TAXI >>What advice would you give aspiring designers? Chalermphol Harnchakkham>>Show your designs off to as many people as you can, and don’t be turned off by criticism. You can learn a lot from what other people think, and your designs will get better.

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TRAVEL ALBUM: DESIGN CITY publishes the essential photography subjects of a city. As they say, architecture landmarks denote the progressing development of a city. Design in each and every city speaks in different languages and dances to different cultures. A lot of cities are growing in the design realm but no one would know about this development but the travelers and the locals themselves. Only. The exciting quirks and electrifying eccentricity of Everyday Product, Design Schools, Designers, Resources, Hotels/Buildings, Design Studios/Personalities, Local Galleries, Museums, etc, are found in both secret and obvious places of the city.

We miss out on these simple things during travel or simply during our busy lifestyle in our own city. So the next time you travel, think of TRAVEL ALBUM: DESIGN CITY.

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