Chris Lee is the founder and creative director of Asylum, a highly regarded creative company comprised of a design studio with a retail store. Defined as an ideas company since its inception in 1999, it has excelled on truly cross disciplinary projects that includes interactive design, product development, environmental and interior design, packaging, branding and graphic design.
Lee's work in the industry has been recognized by more than 70 international awards and Asylum has also been featured in more than 30 international magazines. In 2009 he judged the prestigious D&AD awards in London, The Hong Kong Designers Association Design Awards, The Red Dot Design Award and Tokyo Type Directors Club Awards. Most recently he became a founding member and president of The Design Society, a non-profit organization that promotes visual culture through exhibitions, workshops and education.
01.26.10
In A Cafe In Tokyo
If you have a degree in what field is it? A diploma in visual communication.
Which designer (or design studio), other than yours, do you most admire? Heatherwick Studio, for the diversity of work and the fantastic outcome of every project.
What’s the strangest request you've received from a client? In addition to designing the private lounge of a bank I was also asked to pick the magazines and music.
If you weren’t working as a designer what would you be doing? Chef. I love food and would love to create amazing culinary experiences.
What well-known identity is most desperately in need of a redesign? LG Electronics.
From where do your best ideas originate? Away from home. Probably in a cafe in Tokyo. I find that the best ideas come during times that you’re not looking for them.
How do you overcome a creative block? Traveling is best; when it’s not possible, I go for a run.
What’s your dream project (not client, but project)? To pack up and leave for Berlin for six months to a year and have an off-site Asylum studio there to create cultural projects that are experimental in nature and outcome.
Do you have creative outlets other than graphic design? Too many. Most recently, Chocolate Research Facility. Created a year ago, it’s a chocolate retail store with 100 flavors and 10 that change every season. I also have the Asylum Shop which carries interesting products and where I organize exhibitions and workshops. Then there’s Asylum Sounds which promotes experimental music.
What’s your approach to balancing work and life? I find my work and life so fused that it's hard to tell which is which. I enjoy what I do so it’s not really work. When I’m in another city I try to take a few days “off” to explore.
What product/gadget can you not live without? Nothing. I live with what I have.
What’s your favorite quote? “Good is the enemy of great.” —Jim Collins
Do you have any advice for people just entering the profession? Be obsessed and passionate. Be ambitious and change the world.
What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started your career? I wish I knew that it was going to be so much fun. I would have started much sooner.