Connecting designers has always been a core belief at Home Journal. We take pride in witnessing the fruits of these connections – strong industry friendships, dynamic partnerships, and even lasting marriages. Jason Yung and Caroline Ma, the creative duo who founded Jason Caroline Design, and who met through a previous edition of Home Journal, are a beautiful example of this.
To mark our 44th anniversary, we sit down with Yung and Ma to hear their love story that began with a chance encounter courtesy of Home Journal.
Q: Take us back to the beginning. How did you two meet?
Ma: Home Journal played matchmaker. We were both featured in the same issue back in 2000, and that’s how we first became aware of each other.
Yung: I saw Caroline’s picture in the magazine and knew I had to meet her. I had an exhibition going on at my office, which also housed a cafe, so I invited her. That was our first time meeting each other. We collaborated on a project, started our company within a year, got married soon after, and welcomed our first child the following year. It all happened so fast.
Q: How would you describe your design philosophy?
Ma: We both started in architectural design and transitioned to interiors. It was a natural evolution, from macro to micro, from the broader strokes to the finer details. But the core of our approach is the client relationship, it’s essential for successful projects. For example, this project, a 70-year-old toy factory. We designed the client’s home 20 years ago, and they later invited us to design their company space. They’re fantastic clients who are very involved in the process, so we have a strong understanding of their vision.
Q: What inspires your designs? Have there been any particular books that have influenced you?
Yung: Susan Sontag's On Photography has had a significant impact on me. It taught me that everything has value, and is worth capturing. We work with such a diverse range of clients, and it’s important to recognise what makes each one unique. The Bible is another important influence, reminding me to treat everyone with equal respect and empathy, which is crucial when working closely with clients.
Ma: Architects often consider themselves renaissance men, because we have a wide range of interests. We love to travel, explore different cuisines, go shopping – I even enjoy gardening. All of these experiences feed into our design process. We travel seven or eight times a year, visiting architectural landmarks, art museums, and always taking photos. Milan is a favourite destination – the furniture, the opera – it’s truly inspiring. I really missed it when we couldn’t travel during the pandemic.
Q: What does design mean to you?
Yung: We avoid superficial design. We want our work to have depth and substance, to tell a story. That’s why photography resonates with me so much. It’s about understanding a subject, capturing its essence, and then interpreting it through your own lens. Some photos are beautiful, but they fade quickly. The ones that stay with you, the ones that evoke emotion, those are the truly powerful images.
Ma: It’s like haute couture. Every piece of clothing, every space, tells a story. It’s the client’s story, not ours. Our job is to understand their story and translate it into a space. Aesthetics are important, of course, but they’re just the starting point. The real challenge, and the real reward, is capturing the essence of the client’s narrative. We strive for lasting impact, not a fleeting wow factor. A space that invites exploration, that encourages people to linger and discover – that’s what we aim for.
I remember in my first architecture class, the professor said: “For every line you draw, give me three reasons, and ‘I like it’ isn’t one of them.” That lesson has stayed with me. Every design choice should have a purpose, a story behind it.
Yung: Our clients are incredibly diverse, and we embrace that. We’ve worked with clients who love opulent, maximalist styles, and we’ve enjoyed those projects just as much as the more minimalist ones. Good design isn’t about adhering to a particular style; it’s about finding the right expression for each client. Homes in Hong Kong tend to look very similar, but we strive to create spaces that stand out, that reflect the unique personality of the people who live there.
Q: What advice do you have for young designers just starting out?
Yung: It’s so easy these days to get caught up in the trends you see on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. While those platforms can be great for inspiration, it’s important to remember that the heart of good design lies in understanding the client. So many designs today feel derivative, lacking that human touch. Go beyond the screen, engage with the real world, and truly listen to your clients.
Highlighted projects by Jason Caroline Design:
