name:
english: Pete Hoang
chinese: Hoang Duyen Hung
website address:
http://pete.hoang.com
http://mod7.com
hometown:
Hanoi, Vietnam 1975-79 ~ Calgary, Alberta 1980-96 ~ Vancouver,
BC 1996-present…I live in Vancouver, but Calgary is my home town.
software used:
Same as anyone else really…Photoshop/ImageReady, Director,
Flash, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, etc, etc.
artist statement:
pete.hoang.com was originally a portfolio site. Since, I
no longer have an interest in the portfolio format, pete.hoang.com is in a state
of transition. For Asian Heritage Month I have created this special edition
site. Future issues of pete.hoang.com will roll out soon after. My plan is to
make pete.hoang.com a much more personal, emotive and, consequentially, a more
compelling space.
design influences:
Designers that inspired me early on: Saul
Bass, Reid Miles, Designers
Republic, Rudy Vanderlans.
Musicians that inspired me early on: Public
Enemy, Sonic Youth, the Orb.
Current influences: thrift store archaeology, toy cameras, and the webdesign
community.
what
you like most about the web medium?
Alternative and independent content first attracted me to
the web. Later, the attraction was the community of inspiring individuals. Buying
books online is great, but I'd rather learn and share. I really appreciate all
the people who inject sincerity and emotion into the web.
how does being asian influence your design aesthetic/process?
While my childhood friends grew up with Kraft Dinner and
Mickey Mouse, I grew up with Kung-fu instant noodles and the Monkey King. All
my life, I have been surrounded by a mosiac of cultural codes and my eyes have
always been open. I remember in grade 3 our class took a trip to Chinatown.
Many of the kids were shocked with the strange sights, sounds and smells. I
was offended by their ignorance but proud that I had experienced more than the
average kid.
Growing
up between two cultures forces you to keep an open mind. I don't think "in the
box", because my world was never defined by hard angles and straight lines.
I live in a world of mixed up images, motifs, beliefs and value systems. If
I don't observe, question and analyze, I am destined to be swept to one extreme
or the other. It's this cultural insight and conflict that informs my design
process. Being Asian-Canadian empowers me with two very important qualities:
perspective and empathy. Design is a solution based industry. Perspective helps
me innovate. Empathy helps me understand.
what audio cd is in your mac right now?
"And then nothing turned itself inside-out" - Yo
La Tengo
favorite magazine/webzine:
kaliber10000
is my favorite, kiiroi.nu
and shift japan are a
close second.
favorite
film or tv show right now:
Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing" is my favorite movie but
for Asian Heritage month I'll say "Fallen Angels" by Wong Kar Wai.
favorite brain food:
ruby red grapefruit juice
favorite hang out spot:
Most of my time is spent in front of the mod7
dirtcam.
wise words passed down from your ancestors:
Chinese proverbs are too long to remember and even harder
to repeat. I'll have to cheat on this one. In an interview, Bruce Lee explained:
"...water can flow, or it can crash. Be like water my friend."
