Designer Interview
24 questions
As a young boy I‘d liked to become an architect or a car designer. I always loved to „build“ things: cars, robots and houses with LEGO, later tree houses. And I loved painting until I discovered photography.
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?
As a young boy I‘d liked to become an architect or a car designer. I always loved to „build“ things: cars, robots and houses with LEGO, later tree houses. And I loved painting until I discovered photography. I thought studying communication design would train me in most of the skills for my future life.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
I run a photo studio in Frankfurt / Germany. Offering a few disciplines like architecture, event, corporate, stillife photography and professional rental of space and equipment.
What is "design" for you?
To make art with a purpose
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
Conceptual photographic series, but I also like type, book and logo design
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
I designed quite a few Corporate Identities and brands. Some are still around.
When do you feel the most creative?
When I‘m bored
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Happiness
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
Happiness
What makes a design successful?
There are mostly no rational reasons. You have to watch it‘s reception long term and you‘ve to separate monetary (sale numbers) and honorable success (awards etc.)
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
Estethic aspects, those are completely personal. Usability, sustainability and price.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Very important. Design always comes first to convince a customer. And there‘s no difference if we talk about package design or car design, low or high priced objects. Designers have to make sure of responsible use of materials from sustainable, legal and under proper, fair conditions produced conditions.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
Still evolving! People become more sensitive for good design, see the Company history of Steve Jobb‘s Apple!
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
On Oct. 25, 2018 opens the exhibition GREY IS THE NEW PINK at the Weltkulturen Museum in Frankfurt. I‘m very happy to be with my work part of it.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
I own more than 2,000 books about everything, I like to visit art exhibitions, art festivals and museums
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
Structuring my schedule and send myself reminders about the dead line.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends on the complexity of the „object“. You can‘t generalize this question. Some designs are in your head for decades before you decide to „give birth“, others take just minutes if you i.e. create logos or posters published in the web.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
“How did you get this idea?”
What was your most important job experience?
Always have a plan „B“, accepting that there‘s always a big portion of luck. When the design process is finished you you share more and more control. Until you give up control completely when it comes to selling your „product“.
Who are some of your clients?
Samsung, Zwiesel, Messe Frankfurt, A. Lange & Söhne, Bosch etc.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
When I started commercial photography I liked stillife photography: food-, cosmetics-, accessoires-, glass- and tableware photography. Lately I like to work with “real” people, bring out their best.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
Continuing doing what I’m doing.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
It depends on working on assignments where I’m supplied with layouts and I’ve just to figure out how to find subjects or decide on the light and perspective. Or if a client just gives me a theme or a product and leaves it up to me how to visualize. The last option is if everything comes out of my brain: the theme, the idea, the concept and visualization.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
All my projects are long term, never really finished.
How can people contact you?
Via my website www.karstenthormaehlen.com and / or email kt@karstenthormaehlen.com
