Mak Kai Hang on shifting from books to China’s biggest brands

Mak Kai Hang’s early career was defined by obsession. Whilst working as a book designer at one of Hong Kong’s largest publishers, he became so fascinated by type design that he took on unpaid projects purely for the opportunity to learn. That foundation, combined with a stint at London’s Commission Studio, has shaped makkaihang design into a practice that now specialises in identities for brands across Asia. The Hong Kong-based studio operates with an experimental philosophy – rejecting formality and established boundaries whilst creating what Mak describes as “timeless designs” rooted in traditional culture and craftsmanship. 2025 brought a significant milestone: designing the logo for HEYTEA, one of China’s most recognisable beverage brands, a household name that gave Mak the impact he’d long hoped for – seeing his own work everywhere in daily life. In this conversation, Mak discusses his transition from editorial work to fashion branding, and how he balances curiosity and experimentation with creating work that remains relevant after launch. TBI: Hello! It’s great to speak to you. How are you? MKH: Thanks for having me! I’m good – just finished making myself an iced Americano here in Hong Kong. It’s 8am, so this is basically my first ritual of the day.