César Bejarano

Specialized in Design.

César Bejarano

About César Bejarano

I am the Antipop, I'll run against the grain until the day that I die. I am the Antipop, the man you cannot stop. Antipop designs simple things, both in beauty and in function. Antipop is not consistent in the way it designs. Antipop can be very pop.

  • Winner of the A' Design Award.
  • Specialized in Design.
  • Original Design.
  • Creative, Diligent and Innovative.
  • All Designs

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Interview with César Bejarano

Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
I studied architecture but I love all types of design, especially object and furniture design. My first product design was for a green wall system. I patented it and called it Cara de Planta, and I started a business. But after a while I got bored with the business part. I wanted to go back to the creating part. So I decided to start over and I moved to Madrid in 2016. I have been designing objects and furniture ever since.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
Antipop is formed by two words: Anti, which means against, and pop, which stands for popular. It doesn't mean that we are against popular things. We aren't. It just means that we won't follow trends. We will do what's right for the project. In Antipop we design things that we like, and hope that everyone likes them too.
What is "design" for you?
Design is the process of creation of anything, from idea to embodiment. Everything that is man made has gone through the process of design.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
I like to design things that are not too complex in their function. I also like a small scale. Small objects or pieces of furniture.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
I don't have a favorite anything, but plenty of favorites of everything.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
I love the possibilities 3D printing offers. Especially when you can do it for so many materials.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
I focus on not focusing on one aspect. I take care to consider everything which I find important in a design, from function to aesthetic, and even production processes and the way it is likely to be sold and transported.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
It's the best thing. I feel like I have been validated by myself, which is the hardest and most important to me.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
I like things that are intelligent and original. They also have to be memorable and not generic.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
I feel our responsibilities as designers are to produce design while trying not to produce waste, in any way it comes. If we are responsible for making things, then we are also responsible for what happens to those things once their life cycle is over. Cradle to cradle.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Right now I don't think it's evolving. Sometimes I feel it's the opposite. I notice a trend in which designers are giving a lot of importance to vain objects, which translate to vain design. We are designing things whose main purpose is to decorate, with no function whatsoever. Anyone can make something pretty, the real value is making something pretty while adding value to our lives, or at the very least, not subtracting value from the world.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
Last exhibition was at Milan. Next one will be Maison et Objet or Salone del Mobile Milan.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
I take inspiration from wherever it comes from, and I really never know.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
I would describe my style as non-existent. I design for each project, and the project is what sets the style. Sometimes fancy is required, sometimes playful. Maybe I would describe my style then as versatile, very flexible. Really non-existent.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
I am from México but I recently moved to Madrid, Spain. I don't feel that the cultural heritage of my country affects my designs, however, I know it must, even if I am unable to be aware of it. And I'm glad it does.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
I won't be so bold as to suggest anything, but I think companies put too much weight on the name of the designer, while there are a lot of amazing unknown designers. The design should be the one to speak, never the designer.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
I just own my clothes and my dog. I try not to buy things on purpose, even though I would love to buy everything. As a designer, it's hard, but I prefer to keep my life uncluttered, so I can move easily from place to place. I decided to exchange enjoying objects for experiences exclusively.
Can you describe a day in your life?
It's never stressful. That's the constant. I wake up when I want to, and go to bed when I want to. In between I create.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
I have no wisdom to impart. I'm not wise. But maybe I would just say: Don't be pretentious.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
I can't think of anything in particular. It has ups and downs like everything.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends on each person and the scale and complexity of the object. For me, since I don't design things that surpass my knowledge, I take very little time.
Who are some of your clients?
Name dropping? No. Also, I don't have any, I'm just getting started.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
If it involves being creative, and all design work does, I enjoy it.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
No teams for me. Design is easier as one person. Others might disagree. I disagree with others.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
A lot of them, but why talk about them? They will be worth talking about when and if they are produced. And then, I hope talking won't be needed. Good design speaks for itself.
How can people contact you?
Through email: cesar@againstdesign.com, or through my website: http://beantipop.com/

Extended Interview with César Bejarano

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?
I have a degree in Architecture but I specialize in industrial design. Products and recently furniture, which I find I enjoy very very much.
How did you become a designer?
I have never wanted a real job because I have always wanted to live off what I consider my talent, or at least my favorite thing to do, which is design. Since I was a kid I wanted to be an architect, which I am, but I find that I like the scale of industrial design better for me. I still love designing everything and anything that has 3 dimensions.
What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?
I don't think I will be able to answer that even if I ever become a design legend.
What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?
First, I consider if it's something that has a real application. Is it really needed or is it vain? If it's needed, can it be improved in some way, any way? If all of this comes together with a beautiful object, then for me, that's good design.
What is your day to day look like?
I do have the time. I design for myself, hoping others will like it.
How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?
I'm not successful yet. I'm still working on it. I don't think there's really a formula though. The creation process is anything but linear, and no ingredient is a constant. Each project is different and therefore the ingredients change constantly. If I had to answer something, I guess it would be that I enjoy what I do. I enjoy creating.
What is your biggest design work?
I have a lot, none in particular. I must like them each for different things.
Who is your favourite designer?
I think my best design is a DIY vertical gardening system called Cara de Planta, which I created. I think it's great because it not only outperforms the rest of the systems out there, it does it in the most stylish and pragmatist way possible.
Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?
We are all designers. Everything man-made is designed. So everyone is a designer. I would still be a designer, but maybe just in a more boring industry.
What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?
Design is everything that is man made. Design and art are symbiotic, but a designer is not an artist, while an artist is definitely a designer.
What positive experiences you had when you attend the A’ Design Award?
I have not reached anything, but I have always had the support of my parents.

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