"As a designer, I grow with experience and learn about the current trends and products."

SIMPLY THE BEST... selected interviews published in various publications

Who is Nik A Ramli in your own words?
Dunia Magazine, USA

This is interesting, what can one say about oneself? If I must, I’ll say approachable, friendly, easy to get along with, open minded, optimistic and never gives up on my dreams. Never regret the things that I have done in my life! If I fall down I’ll get up and continue my voyage.

List five adjectives your friends would use to describe you.
HGTV, USA

Creative, hard working, approachable, vibrant and easy to get along with.

What is interior design?
Hotcourses Abroad, UK

Many people including interior designers are confused as to what interior design is. Interior design is all about knowing space, the human being movement, traffic movement and psychology which involves colours and textures. Interior design is also about understanding clients. Some of the other areas that interior designers need to be aware of are safety, rules and regulations of building, and furniture.

Please give us a brief overview of your company, the work you do and the clients you work with.
Global Business Insight, UK

Nik A Ramli is an interior design company working on residential projects from full service to consultancy and an e-Design service. The importance of my residential clients’ lifestyles within their intimate spaces is the design I’m focusing on. The layout of their home has to be planned and designed for their taste, for their traffic flow, their budget and their lifestyle. At times, I will be contracted with another firm for a commercial project. The job scope varies considerably. Based on the brief I provide, for example, a concept board, drawings including design research and have meetings with design suppliers.

What is your greatest extravagance?
Concept For Living, UK

Hmm. Firstly paying for my own bespoke furniture design to be displayed at my upcoming show. Also perfumes, jackets, shoes and my music collection. You can never have too many nice things and it’s good to treat yourself from time to time.

Do you have a favourite colour?
ID-Digest, USA

Personally I love all colours. But I must say that red is my favourite. The colour of glamour, vibrant, warm and seductive yet danger at the same time! However if the question is regarding interior design schemes, it varies.

The play of colours is important as an interior designer, could you tell us how did you explore with colour combination when you begin as an interior designer? Are there any examples, when you first begin, that the combination of colours did not go well at all?
Home & Décor, Malaysia

Colours are a crucial part of interior design. Understanding the client’s emotions and design brief is the first step. The use of natural and artificial illumination in each room is important as is the overall dimension and layout of the room. Different colours will provide very different atmospheres. For example, coffee and cream deliver the classic look. These hues work well together because they are neutral colours that blend in harmoniously. A claret red with cream could not go wrong. It provides the seductive feeling.

I have not had any disputes in my work as a result of colour choices. Several hue samples will be presented to my clients according to the scheme. If you put two strong deep colours in a room I say that will never work well such as deep purple and deep green. Orange and green also fight against one another. To avoid unpleasant colour clashes it is wise to get several colour pallets that you like and painted them in squares on the wall, live with them for a few days and see if its works for you.

What's your favourite location for a brainstorming session?
Space, Singapore / Malaysia

At home where I put my music on and let my creative thoughts flow. Visiting bars, clubs, restaurants and hotels or even stores give me a lot of ideas and gets me thinking.

What is your favourite space for home?
Glam Deko, Malaysia

I would say the living room. Because the living room is the heart of my home. This is where I lay down my hat and get comfortable. It’s a space where I entertain my guests, display and showcase my accessories and other items that matter most to me and where I centre myself.

Even if it is for an interior design project for a client(s), the living room is the favourite. Its a space that can be designed in different schemes, moods and layout. The living room is the space that in some ways acts as an introduction to the home owner and its owner.

One of the must-have pieces of furniture in your home is…
Glam Deko, Malaysia

A Sofa… You need to sit and relax! Let your feet up. Am I right?

What made you decide on this profession?
ID-Digest, USA

It was only when I was given a fish tank as a birthday gift. I enjoyed viewing the aquarium display at the vet / animal hospital and borrowed their ideas and transferred the display by adding my own touches into my aquarium. I began wondering how many other spaces I could transform and I started to observe what my mother was doing, which was rearranging the home display.

The design ambition then took off after that. At school, I had chosen subjects that were related to design. At home I always re-arranged the furniture of the house. My mother would be thrilled with the transformation however at times… (You know what!). My father paid for my education and I went on to gain my university qualifications.

Have you ever once thought that interior design was not for you? Why?
Kosmo, Malaysia

I have always wanted to become an interior designer. Creative career is very exciting; I meet a lot of people that inspires me. Even though business is tough at the moment in the world with the credit crunch, I will take it as a challenge.

Do you feel that you are an expert in your field?
HGTV, USA

Yes, I have been in the business for several years since 1989. My expertise also has been recognised by the media. I also have been invited to share my design tips in national and international publications. I have been interviewed on several radio stations in Malaysia, the UK and Spain and featured on TV. I also have been interviewed alongside some of the UK’s most popular BBC and Channel 4 TV presenters.

What differentiates your firm from its competition and sets you apart as the best possible option for your clients?
Global Business Insight, UK

I believe each individual firm has its own unique style and success. I manage to deliver various types of work within my scope of practice and resources and I am careful to be aware of my own limits. Through my experience in the industry I pride myself on providing original interior design and building strong relationships with my clients. As an effective listener and negotiator, I can problem solve to meet the needs of my clients’ creative dilemmas for their home and business.

How would you describe your style?
Concept For Living, UK

My style is contemporary, but encompasses old, new and elegant touches. I love injecting a touch of my own personality, as well as something unexpected into a home’s design, perhaps having an item with sentimental value such as an old metal toy car or even your first lunch box in one of your display units.

As for bigger projects, my style varies. At the end of the day it all depends on the clients, the brief and budget.

That being said, do you often incorporate Malaysian symbols or motifs into your design? If so, why?
Malaysian Business, Malaysia

For me, it is all about my clients’ design brief and budget. If they wish to have the ‘Malaysian’ look I will deliver that to them. I’m not a designer that will force a certain look into my clients’ home or business’. Still I have my own style and I will inject my own touches into my design which came from my background, ethnically, experiences and knowledge in the field. Each detail from the paint colours to products that have been proposed for the design will have a reason why they have been selected.

What makes an interior designer special?
Hotcourses Abroad, UK

Every interior designer must have his own signature style. We’ve seen copy-cat designers, but they won’t go far. My style is laid-back glamour – I use high end furniture at moderate prices. I love using plants in design because they give a smooth feeling and I always go for a little ‘Oompah’. For example, I get inspiration from an existing artwork and use colours from the painting for furniture ideas. So if there’s a bit of yellow on the picture, I’d use that same colour for accessories like cushions or vases. And if the clients listen to Jazz every evening in the room, I’d throw in a little bit of traditional design classics like a Barcelona chair with loads of sophisticated furniture that are tall and streamlined. The older the pieces, the better! There’s inspiration in everything; from album covers to food and wallpaper. A creative interior designer finds inspiration around him.

What are your creative processes?
Space, Singapore / Malaysia

My creative processes come from good research and observing things around me through reading, looking at products and even listening to music. As I do travel, the culture from each country I visited plays an important role in my design ideas along with their architecture and landscape, provided me one important part of creative thinking. As a designer I see things with an open mind. Forward thinking and ideas from others are crucial as part of a learning process.

Have you ever taken on a client whose home / apartment / office was, in your eyes, a complete design disaster? If so, be specific on how you fixed the problems.
HGTV, USA

Yes, a one-to-one consultation was necessary to ascertain their requirements. I studied the aspects of their daily routine, living, and spatial planning/working environment. I brought out what they wanted to the maximum.

In the discussion session for the design concepts with the client, three mood boards were presented to the client. The technical drawings, including the layout plan, room elevations and selected perspective room drawings proposed, were shown. The presentation enabled them to realise their design aspirations.

If you could redesign any famous historical building or room, which one would it be, and what changes would you make?
IDDC, Nigeria

I would not change anything if it is still in good condition and working.

However, I hope someday to redesign an old or abandoned building that could be a safe place for homeless people. For a charitable cause and from my heart, I would like to provide my services to shelter those who do not have a roof over their head. I always believe everyone needs a place to call home, even if it is just a social space with a couch.

What would you say is your all-time favorite design work / piece?
Glam Deko, Malaysia

If you are referring to my work then all my interior design work has provided me with a different learning process, experience and outcome. For example, a project in Belsize Park, London will always be one of my favourites because the young couple helped my business by trusting me to design their new home during a challenging moment within my personal life, career and business. The design brief from them was also colourful and exciting and we were very pleased with the complete apartment design.

As for a piece of work, it would be during my design awards exhibition several years ago. There was a lot of bespoke construction and detail produced in the room design. For the very first time I designed and produced three sets of wall floating shelving units. The design is elegant and timeless.

Tell me about your internal culture and how you ensure that your staff are equipped to provide the best possible service to your clients? How do you cultivate this ethos and ensure all staff are working towards the same goals?
Global Business Insight, UK

As a very small firm our internal culture is akin to a family-like environment. Open minded, playful, relaxed, full of respect but at the same time taking the work seriously. Team members will have freedom to experiment with and share their ideas. We work with each other with trust. Each individual has their own responsibility and contributes to the team as a whole to achieve the task in hand. Appropriate training, good communication skills, problem solving and product knowledge all work towards delivering the highest quality product and after sales service. We deliver the highest standard in design and deliver the final finished work to the clients’ satisfaction.

As a local designer (Malaysian) living abroad, it must be difficult to compete in a heavily saturated industry? How do you cope with this and succeed?
Malaysian Business, Malaysia

Design is a subjective subject… It may be difficult for some and easy for others. It is all about your work and experiences. I manage to deliver my work professionally to clients and to any organizations that I’m contracted with. Originality, good knowledge and persistence is the key to succeed in this industry. Oh, also LUCK!

How do you stay up-to-date with the latest design trends and innovations in the field?
IDDC, Nigeria

I use observation of the things around me, through reading, a lot of good research, visiting some of the interior design exhibitions and looking at products.

Maintaining a position at the forefront of the competition is vital to any business; how do you ensure that your business is the leader in innovation?
Global Business Insight, UK

A lot of research into design, historical, classic and contemporary and observing what is happening in the sector is vital. Be alert to the ever-changing design worlds of style, products and trends. Be open minded!

When the next generation looks back on you and your work, what would you like to be known for?
ID-Digest, USA

‘Laid Back Glamour’ - a designer that is able to deliver design ideas into reality and make a fresh statement with a contemporary style which encompasses old, new and elegant touches with an arty twist and a good eye for light and thematic use of colours.

Your website shows some products that you have produced, this include an artwork, can I describe you as an artist and could you tell us how closely related design and art are?
Home & Décor, Malaysia

Artist in my ‘own right’ perhaps? I do not make millions on that yet! Seriously design and art cannot be separated. They are both creative and subjective. I often suggest that my clients feature some sort of original artwork in their home. This will provide a unique point in one’s home. Home is not a home, if it’s not unique!

What about art printed on other home furnishing products like pillows, curtains, duvet covers, etc. Is it important to you that the artist offer these options already finished, or do you have your own sources for printing on fabric, and just want to purchase the licensing rights from an artist?
For The Abundant Artist, USA

Excellent point! That would be fabulous, creative artists have to think outside the box. Think business, that is how artists make their wealth. In my scenario, I would create my very own artwork pillows and other forms of products. As for licensing rights from an artist, I have gone through the process. I like the design of a vintage card, so I located the resource and I paid the rights to the organization to print. Hence from one piece of artwork I adjusted the image by stretching the length. Once it had been stretched according to my desired measurement, I printed it onto six squares of canvas. It did not spoil the original but it gave the artwork a new life as a different piece of art.

Do you believe art can make someone a better person?
Kosmo, Malaysia

NO! It is the individual that have to make oneself a better person. However, art can make you feel good and appreciate the beauty of the workmanship that has been created and produced for the person to view and smile.

How does music and writing inspire you as an interior designer?
Home & Décor, Malaysia

Music has been part of my life since I bought my very first EP in 1975. I listen to certain types of music when I’m writing or working on a design project. It provides me with the inspiration I need.

How would you describe Donna Summer: The Thrill Goes On?
The Star, Malaysia

It is a very personal tribute, a music biography celebrating the late American star’s musical success. It documents Donna Summer’s ups and downs during her career in the world of entertainment. It is an informative read and contains a lot of detailed factual information. This project is a fair and constructive critical analysis of my favourite singer’s artistic legacy. Still, one can’t help it if there is a little bit of bias because, after all, Donna Summer is my favourite artist. The book is aimed at all music lovers who would like to know what an incredibly creative person Donna Summer was. New fans will love this book, fanatical fans will appreciate it. I’m sure no one can satisfy every single one of Donna Summer’s hardcore followers but I hope most people will enjoy it.

What have you learned from the publishing experience? Are there things you would do differently in future?
An Author’s View, UK

I learned a lot since my book was published. From my experience I say promotion is the key and you have to carry on doing the task. A published author once said to me “You still have to do publicity own your own”. She is right. Well, it’s your baby, your lover! You are not going to let your book go and walk alone? Or just simply depending on the publishing company? Well unless you are a global well-known author when everything is at your service!

The main key is ‘RESEARCH’. You’ll learn more and more, it’s endless. Still, this is my first book and first contracted partnership publication. Sure, there will be many things one might do differently. Only once you have published a book will you have an idea what to do next in the future, perhaps?

What challenges did you face in writing and publishing this book? What was the writing process like? How long did it take? How did you juggle your day job and writing this book?
The Star, Malaysia

The challenge was to get people to think out of the box. When I mentioned that I was writing a music biography, some people thought it was unacceptable! They thought that an interior designer should release a design book. But don’t get me wrong, I received a lot of encouraging feedback too.

I gained some experience of the writing process through my articles on interior design tips. But writing a factual book about someone popular is a totally different proposition. There are a lot of considerations one needs to take account of such as legal matters and finalising and analysis of the research. Doing the research is one of the most interesting parts of the writing process. These days, conducting research can be like floating in a small boat in the middle of an ocean: The amount of information available is vast as we are living in a world with the internet. However, the traditional method of library research was a thrilling experience. From that point I then also conducted interviews with selected national and international media figures related to Donna Summer. This began in 2009. It is important for me to get information from as many different sources as possible and I wanted a fresh feel to the work. Every writer has their own approach to completing their research. There are no right or wrong ways of writing in my own personal view. Still, a regular or professional writer will develop their own approach which will suit their way of working. It took me a while, as I was working full time during the initial phase of writing the manuscript for publication. I would say it was an ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ process. Until you have gone through the process of producing a book you don’t really appreciate how much work it involves. I had to work late at night and on the weekends. Creating a conducive environment is important so that you can focus on the work.

What is your writing style like?
The Star, Malaysia

As for my writing style, what can I say? All right, it is FLAWELESS, absolutely FABULOUS and FANTASTIC! Seriously, it is not for me to judge. It is a research based work. The writing will be what I would think a music biography would be. I’m not a trained creative writer or a novelist or ever claimed to be one. It is a good read for all those that love music biographies. This is my first book, so reviewers, please let’s be nice!

Closing words…
Dunia Magazine, USA

Be positive, surround yourself with positivity. Don’t be big-headed after you think you have achieved something. Stay grounded and remember your roots. Accept criticism (good and bad) with an open mind. Give a chance to others. Don’t let yourself be intimidated! Respect, SMILE, LOVE, lots of LOVE, be HAPPY, be able to LAUGH and be at PEACE. Most importantly speak out, don’t be shy and ask for help if you need it. Believe that you can do it, if you don’t believe in yourself who else will? If you have a dream then follow that dream, because those dreams will come true.

Oh by the way, BUY MY BOOK!

I thank you...