Mathew Lemar, Red Design

How did Red Design begin? What were its core intentions?
RED Design Consultants was formed in 2006 by three British Architects and Interior Designers. Our core intention was to provide unique and creative design solutions while acknowledging the importance of ‘brand’ and the commercial realities of executing projects in Asia.

What has changed since? And, what is its most identifying quality now?
RED has grown steadily since 2006 and now has a team of 30 dedicated design professionals at our offices in Shanghai and Bangkok. Our core intentions have remained the same since day one, but as our experience has increased we are able to offer more comprehensive and targeted design solutions for a range of clients, both within China and internationally.
Although we complete a wide variety of projects, RED is most closely identified with our F+B work, especially in the casual dining sector. We work with a number of successful brands and recently estimated that, on an average weekend, 63,000 people have a great time in a RED designed space.

What do you consider to be the most interesting developments in architecture at present and why?
We are interested in the developing relationships between consumer technology, social media and interior design. We have recently designed restaurant spaces that attempt to address this relationship through the integration of technology, creating a more social, shared dining experience.

Personally, what are you currently fascinated by outside of the profession, and how does it influence your work?
Watching my children (ages 3 and 1) grow up is fascinating. It influences my work in the sense that I am no longer the person at RED who can design nightclubs…
Many people listen to music while completing daily tasks or working as it’s known to promote a “positive mood change and enhanced perception on design and ideas.” If there is a soundtrack to your life, what would be on there?
Northern Soul and The Smiths
What advice would you give to students and young designers?
Try lots of things first and then specialize. Find an aspect of the design industry that you enjoy and then get very very good at it.