Innovation requires designers to be bold as well as have a keen sense of people’s needs. Find out how Daniel Alenquer delivers fresh concepts.
Daniel Alenquer is the lead User Experience designer at ASUS Singapore’s Mechanical and Industrial Design Team.
Q. How did you get started at ASUS?
I was studying for my Masters in the United States in 2001 when I met Hunghsiang — who currently heads the Singapore MID (Mechanical and Industrial Design) team. We kept in touch and in early 2008 I asked him if he was looking for new designers. He said yes so I took the bold step and left my home in Brazil.
Q. What does the MID team do?
We uncover what people value and then design something to fit those needs. Making a product look desirable is only 1% of the job, as designers we must give users what they want in terms of weight, functionality, battery life, screen size, ease-of-use; and bring all those things together.
Q. If your department had a motto, what would it be?
Our motto is to inspire, motivate, and inform.
Q. Which other departments do you work with the most?
We interact a lot with MID in Taiwan and different business units, such as laptops and components, when developing projects together.
Q. What’s the most satisfying part of your job?
It is suddenly connecting things. When inspiration and information get together, bang! A great idea emerges! I also enjoy talking to people and seeing ideas developing.
Q. What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Figuring out what people will appreciate. We don’t want to spend a lot of time developing a mediocre idea. However, looking for the wow factor that will make people sit up and notice is not easy — that’s what we seek everyday.
Q. What’s your greatest accomplishment in ASUS?
I’m proud of everything so far. It’s more about the process for me and challenging my team to innovate and build on previous successes.
Q. What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in your time at ASUS?
The company is getting more focused in terms of design.
Q. What inspires you?
It makes my day whenever my son hugs me when I get home. I also feel blessed to have colleagues who bring something unexpected, nice, and inspiring to work daily. If I just had a cubicle to work by myself, I wouldn’t enjoy it.
Q. How do you unwind after a hard work week?
I try to do something different always. I dive, started playing the drums, and recently I went to see the F1 race in Malaysia. Learning and seeing new things helps me refresh, restart, and reboot.
Q. Are you a gadget fan? What’s your favorite gadget?
Yes, I am. My favorite gadget is my D300 Nikon camera. Like a story teller, I use my camera to show others what I’ve seen and done. But I wish I could have my camera with me all the time because life is what happens to you when you’re busy doing other things.
Q. If you could invent anything at ASUS, what would it be?
A tele-transporter. To use it, press Ctrl+Alt+F12 and be transported anywhere instantly!