Johnny Shum, the Creative Director of Make It Works (MIW), shared that their guiding principle is in the motto "Crafting space. Inspiring life." His own passion for interior design traces back to his childhood, where he would often accompany his father to construction sites.
It Began in Childhood
Johnny nostalgically reminisces about his formative years, stating, "I was roughly 5 or 6 years old when I would regularly tag along with my father to construction sites, immersing myself in construction trades and tools." A fascination with spatial design began to take root in him as he actively engaged in home renovation projects, frequently rolling up his sleeves and getting hands-on. “I remember when I was 8 years old, I took the initiative to help scrape old paint off the walls and suggested using a modern design in the living room with only soft cushions instead of a traditional sofa." Even at such a young age, his mind was filled with design creativity.
However, when it comes to the idea of pursuing a career in interior design, he believes that his interest was piqued back in 2007. "At my first client site meeting, there were not only the clients themselves, but also foreign designers, representatives from construction companies "At my first client site meeting, there were not only the clients themselves, but also foreign designers, representatives from construction companies and other professionals. That rare experience fascinated me with the interior design industry and sparked the idea of entering the field."
決心成為室內設計師
This idea took root in Johnny's mind but remained dormant until his third year of university. Originally majoring in computer science, he found it difficult to adapt to the rigid work mode of an office during his internship at a company. Instead, he developed a great interest in the flexible and creative work of interior design. Consequently, after graduating from university, he switched his major to interior design and immediately began working as a project assistant at his father's company. He stated, "This internship experience allowed me to appreciate the wonders of design and solidified my determination to become a designer."
創立室內設計公司Make It Works (MIW)
He founded the interior design company Make It Works (MIW) in 2015, dedicated to creating interior spaces that combine aesthetics and functionality. He works closely with clients to accurately achieve their design visions. Today, MIW has become a well-known interior design company.
Johnny said, "We have always believed that the core of design lies in meeting the needs of clients. During the design process, we thoroughly understand clients' lifestyles, work patterns, and personal preferences, which serves as a crucial foundation for our designs.
He continued, "MIW firmly believes that thoughtfully designed spaces have the power to inspire and influence people's lifestyles. We centre each project around the needs and lifestyle of our clients, creating practical and aesthetically pleasing spaces. They can unleash their imagination within these spaces and embrace a personalised way of living, which is the essence of 'inspiring life'."
Motto: Crafting space. Inspiring life.
He continued, "Last year, we changed our original slogan 'WHAT is more' to 'Crafting space. Inspiring life.' With the new slogan, we hope to elevate design to a higher level, not only focusing on space but also inspiring people's quality of life."
They hope to inspire clients to have a new perspective on life through design, such as utilising space flexibly and exploring new lifestyles. Understanding the clients remains their first priority.
「樂善勇敢」態度
Over the course of his decade-spanning career in design, he has remained committed to constant learning, emphasising, “Interior design encompasses a wide range of knowledge and skills, and requires navigating unforeseen challenges and circumstances. Alongside project deadlines, designers must consistently expand their repertoire to tackle diverse challenges. That's why I prioritise continuously educating myself daily. When confronted with difficulties, I consistently uphold an attitude characterised by joy, kindness, courage and daring. I approach learning and embracing novel approaches with a sense of joy, communicate kindly with others to find solutions, assume responsibility with bravery and daring to try new things.”
「空間啟迪生活」的設計理念
He added, "Every person's needs and preferences are unique, so it’s unwise to assume that one can prescribe a universal definition of 'perfection'. Make It Works (MIW) firmly believes in utilising flexible design techniques, much like integrating white space in a painting. We prioritise spatial and adaptive elements, enabling our clients to consistently enhance and refine their space based on their individual preferences and requirements. This approach aligns seamlessly with our overarching design concept of 'Space Inspiring Life'.”
Photo: Make It Works (MIW)