Slow States

We spoke to you back in 2015 and remember your advice to stay humble and hungry, and to fail and try again. Describe how that looked like for you over the last few years.
That notion and thinking remains true because it’s always about the process, right? Oftentimes, I have to remind myself it’s not the destination. Covid is a classic example. Right before the pandemic, our studio was on the verge of something massive but now that dynamic has changed, so we had to pivot.

Your daughter is turning three. What has parenting taught you?
Patience and unconditional love are very important. When she throws a tantrum, I tell myself that it’s a call for help. She feels frustrated because she’s not able to articulate her feelings yet. So I’ve learnt to have the patience and love to focus on what it is that she’s trying to say.

Are there any important skills you feel that children should learn early on?
Doing chores. It teaches children about responsibility—that you have to work in order to achieve certain things.

What is something you discovered about children?
Their imagination is remarkable. It’s fascinating to see how they make believe and create their own worlds. All we can do is step back and watch them. It’s also helpful to form an environment that helps my daughter to be curious, so we don’t have a TV. But I’m starting to realise that screens are not entirely bad—TV animation and storytelling can help with teaching. For example, I was trying to explain to my daughter what an angler fish was, but it’s difficult to describe the teeth and face without pictures. Here, I think TV animation and storytelling can help with teaching.  

How has the past year and a half been for you and your family?
We spent a lot more time together and naturally, dynamics change, but for the better. Once, when I was in the middle of an important meeting, my mum kept calling me to ask about dinner. I told her that it wasn’t a good time. But after that, I realised that dinner was the most important time of the day for her. I have to remind myself that eating with her is more important than my work. 

As work-from-home has blurred the lines between work and leisure, what are some ways you’re maintaining a balance?
I set Tuesday afternoons aside to spend time with my daughter. We would go to the park or beach. She’s growing up quickly so that slows things down for me. It makes me more present and mindful.

How do you feel the design scene has changed over the years, and what are you looking forward to?
The industry is at a place where we’re finding our own voices beyond what we do on a day-to-day basis. Everybody’s working together to figure what that looks like.