Kung Pik Liu, Principal, Creative Director, aka Chief Design Angel, Design Angel
I'm an award-winning brand designer and strategist with 15+ years of experience, and I help Femtech companies build brands that get taken seriously. Why? Because women deserve to be seen, heard and shine.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
LinkedIn, because I found many of the people in my industry hanging out there.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
I have been a graphic designer for 18 years; today, my primary interest is to bridge business and design to create maximum impact. My secondary interest is to help women shine in all aspects of life; that's why I pivoted to focus my practice in the Femtech space.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
I enjoy solving problems and making things beautiful, and design does both.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Sucking at something is the first step to get good at anything.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
Purpose inspires me, goals motivate me, and good people help me to move forward.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
I'm proud that I have the courage to pursue something I truly believe in.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
Online networking event.
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
Being curious and sincere have helped me connect with people. They also helped me discover many opportunities I wouldn't have thought of.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Mistakes are the best teacher, and actions are more important than being perfect.
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Business: Gary Vaynerchuk.
Academic: I'm not an academic, but I like reading Malcolm Gladwell's books. Is he considered an academic?
Creative: Stefan Sagmeister.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Religion and family are probably the most important things to me beyond work.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you managed it?
Yes, my business dropped 50% last year, but I utilized the downtime to revaluate my life and work. By the end of last year, I discovered a new purpose at work and pivoted my business. It was tough financially, but my heart was full of joy.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
I've mentored some design students in the past. And I only recently found a mentor myself. It has been a great experience because we all need someone to guide us in our professional journey. We can't do it alone!
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Surround yourself with like-minded people, ask for help and step out of your comfort zone whenever possible!
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Lack of support. Building a business is tough, and you'll fall often, but people who believe in you will be there to pick you back up. And you will do the same when they fall.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Don't worry, be crappy." - Guy Kawasaki. Designers are often perfectionists, and this leads to inaction. Knowing that I can be crappy is comforting and gives me the courage to take action.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
The Futur. It's an online education platform revolutionizing business and design education.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
Success to me is the ability to find the equilibrium in whatever you do. Having a purpose in everything you are the key to finding this equilibrium.