Ann Chan of Hero Design Group

Dec 30, 2024

As the CEO of Hero Design Group, Ann Chan's mission to revolutionize the interior design landscape is no small feat. She firmly believes that every design should tell a meaningful story, enriching connections and elevating experiences. But if anyone can tackle this task, Ann can. A former consultant who spearheaded global strategy and digital transformation for Fortune 500 companies, she boldly pivoted into the design world to follow her true passion. The transition was not a stretch - Ann is a true people connector, a natural aesthete, a top-notch tablescaper, and a home cook. She understands how her clients want to live and her vision is to establish Hero as a trailblazer in narrative-driven design, where collaboration among clients, designers, and contractors is at the heart of the creative process. Ann elaborates: "At Hero, I’m committed to nurturing a vibrant community of creatives and talent. By empowering designers and artisans, I strive to raise the bar within our industry, ensuring that design transcends mere functionality and becomes a source of joy and inspiration in everyday life. Interior design for me has always been about individual satisfaction." Sounds like a design hero to us!

A Hero Design alcove

CEO of Hero Design Group Ann Chan

A Hero Design kitchen

A Hero Design bathroom

Reflections

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

How did Hero Design Group start: At Hero, our collaborative spirit and dedicated team arise from a shared commitment to truly understanding and meeting our clients' needs. My journey began with my own challenging experience while designing and building my first home in Hong Kong. I faced numerous hurdles with firms that struggled to balance design, costs, and timelines, which was both frustrating and enlightening. To gain deeper insight into the industry, I embarked on an intensive two-month design thinking exercise, interviewing over 50 designers, clients, and contractors. This exploration revealed significant pain points in the process, and armed with this knowledge, I founded Hero to directly tackle these challenges. As the CEO, I focused on assembling a team of like-minded individuals who share a passion for these insights. I believe it’s crucial for our team members to be aligned in their thinking and trained to prioritize the customer experience. This alignment fosters a unique culture within Hero, where collaboration flourishes and innovative solutions are born.

Describe your design process: My background in consulting profoundly influences the way I lead my firm and connect with clients, especially through the lense of design thinking. At Hero, we place a premium on truly understanding our clients’ needs and lifestyles, which informs every phase of our design journey. We dedicate ample time to the strategy phase, engaging with clients on a personal level. This means asking insightful questions about how they live, work, and play in their spaces. By exploring their preferences and daily routines, we craft designs that are not only stunning but also incredibly functional. In the bustling Hong Kong market, where space is at a premium, applying design thinking is essential. We tackle each project with the goal of maximizing space utility while maintaining an elegant aesthetic. This calls for innovative solutions that respect the constraints of the environment while accommodating the unique desires of our clients.

Why is your IRL physical space, which is unique in Hong Kong, important to you: Our showroom and office space embody our dedication to purpose, innovation, and collaboration—core tenets of our design philosophy. The studio is not just a workspace; it’s a vibrant hub that deepens both our employees’ and clients’ connection to our mission and brand. We envisioned an office that serves as a welcoming environment for client meetings, industry events, and a dynamic atmosphere for our team. Design, to us, is a conversation, and our expansive open layout, along with thoughtfully defined areas, fosters communication and the free exchange of ideas. We’re passionate about pushing the creative boundaries for our clients, which is why we’ve meticulously curated interiors that function as both a showroom and a design laboratory.

Inspirations

All Abord

Describe your dream project: My ultimate dream design project would be crafting my next home, perhaps a delightful secondary residence in London or an enchanting holiday retreat in the South of France. It’s always been a dream of mine to have a second home—a sanctuary where I can hand my keys to my closest friends and family, inviting them to create their own memories when I’m not there. I envision collaborating with some of my favorite global artisans (who I'm also so lucky to call good friends), like Nelson Chow, Juliana Lima Vasconcellos, and Joseph Tong. Working with these creative geniuses is like dancing with a symphony of textures and colors, where each piece tells its own captivating tale. Their craftsmanship isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a narrative that enriches the very fabric of the design. I’m particularly drawn to European styles, such as vintage moldings and lofty ceilings - elements that often get lost in Hong Kong's modernity. Designing a home in Europe would be my chance to blend the elegance of history with a fresh, contemporary twist, creating a space that feels like a well-loved book.

Where do you find inspiration: I find a lot of inspiration through travel, especially from my time living in London. Traveling by train across Europe was my favorite way to escape. Watching the scenery change through the window was incredibly inspiring. This love for train travel even influenced our Hero office design. Our conference room features tall arches that evoke the elegance of train carriages, and the layout allows for spaces that can be connected or separated, just like different compartments of a train. It’s a nod to the beauty I find so inspiring in travel.

The train-inspired conference
room in Hero's Hong Kong office

An Hero Design foyer
which nods to Europe

Choices galore in Hero Design Group's Showroom and Office

Opera Hong Kong's production
of Puccini's Turandot

A dish by one of Ann's favorite
private chefs, Nero Ip

Around Town

Presley, Pizza and Puccini

Most memorable Hong Kong meal: Some of my most unforgettable meals in Hong Kong took place during the lockdown when many restaurants were closed, allowing me to transform my home into a vibrant dining space for friends. This unique circumstance opened the door to inviting some of my talented chef friends over, turning our gatherings into intimate culinary experiences with nothing but good food, good conversation and of course good wine. This will always be my favourite pastime. Diving into deep chats about feelings and the quirks of our existence. It’s like a mini therapy session, but with better appetizers! One standout dish comes from the fabulous Chef Nero, whose incredible sour pickled fish has quickly become a crowd favorite. Then there’s Chef Leonard's whimsical “Elvis Presley” French toast—a delightful twist featuring pain perdu, reduced watermelon molasses syrup infused with osmanthus, chocolate pop rocks, persimmons, and maple-glazed bacon. It’s a playful masterpiece that never fails to delight! I also have a soft spot for Chef Gabriel's omakase pizza menu, particularly the version topped with creamy béchamel sauce and luxurious Kristal caviar. It’s simple yet decadently rich, a dish that always leaves a lasting impression. Sometimes, I find myself wishing lockdown was still a thing—everyone is always traveling, and it’s so tough to get everyone in one room! Those meals were truly some of the best times.

The last live performance you attended: My recent favorite is Puccini's Turandot. The theatrical design, infused with Eastern elements, is beautifully crafted, creating a mesmerizing experience. I was particularly moved during Act III: "Nessun Dorma," which truly uplifted my soul and showcased the incredible power of music and culture. This opera holds a special place in my heart; when I was 16 and feeling homesick in Dallas, my music teacher introduced me to it. I was captivated by the story and its emotional depth, which helped me during those difficult teenage years away from my parents. I’m so grateful for my friendship with Vena Cheng, one of the directors of Opera Hong Kong. Her big heart and vision have been instrumental in shaping the opera scene here. I can’t wait for The Magic Flute to come to Opera Hong Kong in May!

A tablescape by Ann featuring our Christmas crackers

Head of Hero Design Ann Chan

A Hero Design dining room

Inspirations

Chef to Table

What do you collect: Some people meditate, I love to “tablescape” - it's like arranging a vibrant garden, where each detail blossoms around the meal. Therefore it should come as no surprise that I have a passion for collecting homeware, with a particular focus on pieces discovered at vintage markets throughout Europe, especially in Paris. From ceramic glasses to plates and candle holders, each piece tells its own story. There’s a magic in discovering one-of-a-kind items that may not seem to go together at first, yet somehow create a harmonious blend in the end.

Your favorite room at home: My kitchen and dining room as I love to cook and host meaningful dinners. This area has an undeniable allure, serving as the heart of my home. The space is designed with beautiful French glass doors that open the kitchen to the dining room. I love to cook and believe that cooking should always be a communal experience, so I enjoy having friends gather around, sipping wine as they watch me prepare meals. Hosting is truly my passion; there’s nothing more fulfilling than seeing my loved ones—friends and family—enjoying a meal together. The kitchen features stunning Calacatta marble countertops paired with olive green cabinetry and elegant brass hardware, all harmonizing together to create a beautiful symphony of colors and textures.