Who the hell is Kana Li?

Get to know some of the brilliant minds behind our work. We’re chatting with members of the DixonBaxi studio about what makes them who they are. From the professional to the personal, nothing is off limits here. Introducing: Kana, our studio and executive assistant who’s a foodie with her own private supper club and a travel connoisseur.‍

Who are you and what do you do?
I'm Kana and I'm a studio and executive assistant at DixonBaxi. I help to keep things well-organised and well-presented.

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What’s your story?
I grew up in Hong Kong, a small and busy city influenced by both the East and the West. Growing up, I’ve always loved art and photography. I thought I would become a full-time artist, but it turns out I'm more of a planner and organiser. I spent a few years working in the photography field; it gave me amazing opportunities to nurture my aesthetic tastes and meet people from different cities and cultures. Eventually I got my MA in Arts and Cultural Enterprise at Central Saint Martins in 2020 (COVID time, not the best timing, I suppose).

As I continued to work in the arts sector, I developed stronger project and budgeting management skills. As the hands of fate guided me, in 2023 I found myself once in London, looking to restart my career here at DB. I'm excited to see where it takes me next.

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What are you working on right now?
Right now, the biggest and most exciting project our studio team is working on is the DB weekend holiday to Copenhagen (yeah, we are all going to Denmark)! We’re planning the trip itinerary, filling it out with amazing restaurants to visit and fun activities to try, and hopefully we’ll create an unforgettable memory together.

I'm also planning our co-founders' upcoming trips. It’s a fun process that gives me the chance to research the cultural hotspots of the cities that they visit.

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"Good design should demand your attention and make you want to take the time to look more closely at the details. It should be timeless and memorable. And it should make you want to share it with your friends and family."

Describe your working style in 3 words.
Collaborative. Honest. Compassionate.

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Tell us about some of your interests. What are you into?
Food is my language. I love going to the local market and exploring what's new or in season. From designing menus and sourcing ingredients to learning different culinary techniques, or even growing my own food, I enjoy every moment of cooking. This is the reason why I started a private supper club with my cooking partner in Hong Kong, providing cooking and catering services to our clients. Not to mention that finding inspiration for new recipes is also a good excuse for me to travel and try new restaurants.

In the summer, I love going out into nature. In Hong Kong, I would go hiking in my free time. Since I'm in London now, it’s not as easy to get to mountains or hiking trails, so instead I go on long walks where there’s greenery. In the winter, there’s nothing better than cuddling my cat to keep me warm and watching movies (horror and documentary are my favourites).

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Do you think design can change the world? How?
I believe that a good design can definitely improve people's lives, such as by changing their habits for the better. When we look around, we can see so many good designs around us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t keep elevating our work. I believe that the potential for design to constantly grow and take on new forms is what motivates people, designers and users alike, to strive for more.

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If you could change one thing about the world, what would it be?
Access to an equal and affordable healthcare system, for humans and animals alike.

What’s the last song you listened to?
See You in Hell - Tyson Yoshi.

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Why do you do what you do? What motivates you?
I love organising things so that people’s lives run more smoothly. I'm easily bored, but working in the creative industry, which is always evolving and generating new ideas, motivates me to stay curious and keep learning. Surrounding myself with talented and passionate individuals also pushes me to be a better person in general and to set higher standards for myself and my work.

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What’s your definition of good design?
It should demand your attention and make you want to take the time to look more closely at the details. It should be timeless and memorable. And it should make you want to share it with your friends and family.