We were lucky to catch up with Erbert Chong recently and have shared our conversation below.

Erbert, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

Across the various stages of my creative journey, each “first dollar” earned has its own story. A common thread, however, ties all these tales together – the pieces crafted by my own hands always bring the most satisfaction, and as it turns out, are often the most well-received.

Products churned out by factories, missing that personal touch, that ‘je ne sais quoi,’ tend to fall flat. They lack the “savoir-faire,” the craft mastery that whispers of perfection, something only achieved through personal involvement.

Looking back, it’s both amusing and profound. The creations born from my hands, my skills, and the passion I pour into my work, resonate more deeply with my audience than any mass-produced item. It’s as if they can sense the love and dedication that goes into each piece, and that makes all the difference.

So, for every incarnation of my creative self, that first dollar earned is more than just a validation of my skills. It’s a testament to the authenticity and personal commitment I infuse into my work. And that, is an incredibly satisfying feeling.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Erbert Chong, an accessory product designer, and on occasion, a brand consultant. My academic journey began at The École supérieure des arts et techniques de la mode in Paris, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in accessory design and a Master’s in Communication and Marketing.

I honed my professional skills and deepened my understanding of the luxury market at LVMH. Afterwards, I had the pleasure of launching my own label in Hong Kong. One notable collaboration was with Product RED and Belvedere Vodka, where I designed a limited edition scarf collection to raise funds for the fight against AIDS. While the venture in Hong Kong proved fruitful, it eventually presented political challenges, as I can not stay idle while democracy was being undermined

But let’s rewind a bit to how I landed my very first internship with designer Alvin Valley. In all honesty, it happened in a rather unconventional way. Picture a club in Midtown, a young, determined, and perhaps slightly inebriated student (that’s me), and a serendipitous meeting with Alvin. Yes, I might have flirted my way into that position, but hey, it’s all about seizing the opportunity, right?

Fast forward to the present, in my role as a consultant, I assist brands and artists in establishing their unique identities and carving out their niche in a highly competitive market. In a world where it seems every Gen Z to their grandmother are launching a brand, understanding your unique value proposition and market positioning is critical. I provide guidance on best practices, and when necessary, I connect my clients with specialists to ensure their success.

One thing I take pride in is my commitment to authenticity. The success of a brand in today’s market hinges on its ability to be genuine, relatable, and unique. This core philosophy is something I bring to my work, both in design and consulting.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

There’s a common misconception, particularly among non-creatives, that individuals should wear just one hat and specialize in a single field. However, I believe that’s a simplistic, and frankly, lazy perspective. As creatives, we’re juggling a multitude of moving parts along with the artsy stuff. It’s not just about splashes of color and wild ideas; it involves strategic planning, financial foresight, and entrepreneurial grit. However, when it comes to matters like accounting, it’s often a good idea to hire a professional. 😅

And funding? This isn’t the medical field. Investors aren’t standing in line with checkbooks. Grants are like unicorns – beautiful but rare. So, we learn to stretch every dollar, making miracles on a shoestring budget.

On the flip side, creatives occasionally overlook that this is still a business. Seeing any return on investment for a well-developed product may take 3 to 5 years, or even longer for an artist. And banking on going viral? That’s like pinning your hopes on winning the lottery. It’s essential to understand that creative work also involves persistence, strategy, and like a good gambler, always know when to step away from losing a hand because truth are rarely told.

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

NFTs? Pointless, even passé. The argument for their worth centers on authenticity and non-reproducibility. Yet, in this digital age, it’s a matter of ‘ctrl+C’ and ‘ctrl+V’ or a simple screenshot to duplicate these ‘unique’ pieces. Add a dash of AI upscaling, 😬 and you’ve got an environment ripe for art appropriation.

Instead, let’s pivot to something more pressing: the role of generative AI in art and design. It’s a domain teeming with opportunities and challenges that all creatives – photographers, writers, designers, illustrators – need to seriously consider. With AI being capable of learning from and emulating human creativity, it’s able to generate art, designs, even compose music – tasks that have traditionally been rooted in human creativity. This evolution raises compelling questions about the future of creative professions.

Now, here is as a curveball, chunks of this interview were crafted by an AI model. Surprised? It’s a testament to how, with the right prompts and inputs, the line between human and AI-generated content becomes increasingly indistinguishable. These advancements in AI technology is reshaping the creative landscape, challenging us to redefine our understanding of creativity and our interaction a rapidly evolving world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erbertchong.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erbertchong/

Image Credits
Product Red / Belvedere Event. Photo from Apple Daily Model with black dress. Photo by Rose Conway 3 Models. Photo by Colin Hughes Male Model 1. Photo by Rose Conway