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Odair José Ferro

BrazilProtective Equipment

Interviews with Odair José Ferro

Read the interviews with Odair José Ferro: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Designer of the Day Interview

18 questions

I started as a designer in 2006, but I have Thirty one years experience in the Footwear Industry, my background is based in industry experience because I never study design before the competition.

Could you please tell us about your experience as a designer, artist, architect or creator?

I started as a designer in 2006, but I have Thirty one years experience in the Footwear Industry, my background is based in industry experience because I never study design before the competition.

How did you become a designer?

First I worked for many years in the footwear industry that gave me an amazing background to grow up and with passed yeras I learned by myself and some friends, I became a shoemaker first.

What are your priorities, technique and style when designing?

I think first how everything will be working the product utility, the product in production, and product visual, I need to find the best way for this work to be great range, so than I search the insperation based on my filling and my skills and my experience.

Which emotions do you feel when designing?

When I did and the job ready and I got the goals and expectation I really got feel pleased to getting my best, because I worked hard.

What particular aspects of your background shaped you as a designer?

I think the experience in production line for many inside doing hand by hand these I think was most important for me .

What is your growth path? What are your future plans? What is your dream design project?

My growth path was the experience working hard day by day and continues now, my plans for the future is become a international footwear designer, and my dream is worked in project to help people become better.

What are your advices to designers who are at the beginning of their career?

Work hard don't give up and be resilient,

You are truly successful as a designer, what do you suggest to fellow designers, artists and architects?

Seek to be original, believe in yourself, listing others , put your ideias in pratice.

What is your day to day look like?

my routine is seek be better than yestarday

How do you keep up with latest design trends? To what extent do design trends matter?

I always saw the design trends and I think the design could be change the world with new challenge give us some opportunities to be better, example now the sustainability, it´s amazing what we can do to improve all questions in the world.

How do you know if a product or project is well designed? How do you define good design?

This question it´s to hard because we need to create emotion and I think the first emotion needs to create in yourself. when you got you know well done.

How do you decide if your design is ready?

I decide when I can see that have flowing up the line as the goals it´s working so it´s very important to know that is everything is working.

What is your biggest design work?

My biggest Design work is the Premier Safety Footwear

Who is your favourite designer?

Dr. D'Wayne Edwards and Defne Yalkut they are reference in the world.

Would you tell us a bit about your lifestyle and culture?

ow my lifestyle it´s simple man that like rock music, I have two kids and wife, I love my family and I love stay home.

Would you tell us more about your work culture and business philosophy?

I work for big Footwear company in brazil, the corporate culture is to become the better industry in the South America.

What are your philanthropic contributions to society as a designer, artist and architect?

I think that my work gave the opportunites for many pepple to get a job because we building together a new age in this company, so when your design promoted new opportunitie for others your contributions well done.

What positive experiences you had when you attend the A' Design Award?

Many experiences I had, but the biggest benefit of participating was the recognition of which friends, co-workers, and to see all designer in the galla and feel I got I'm here it's amazing.

Design Legend Interview

50 questions

I am a shoemaker that become a Techincial footwear designer but I never imagine that I will be a designer in my life.

Could you please tell us a bit about your design background and education?

I am a shoemaker that become a Techincial footwear designer but I never imagine that I will be a designer in my life.

What motivates you to design in general, why did you become a designer?

The motivates me is the challenge in general I Become designer because I start to work in development process and when I saw I become designer

Did you choose to become a designer, or you were forced to become one?

I not choose just happen

What do you design, what type of designs do you wish to design more of?

I design safety foowear I would wish to design sneakers in the future

What should young designers do to become a design legend like you?

Work hard everyday and never give up

What distinguishes between a good designer and a great designer?

persevere never give up

What makes a good design a really good design, how do you evaluate good design?

Your work must be sell all time every where no matter you do but your work Always will be there

What is the value of good design? Why should everyone invest in good design?

The good design gain value for your brand and your brand will never lost the value.

What would you design and who would you design for if you had the time?

I would design sneaker for CrossFit Company

What is the dream project you haven't yet had time to realize?

This is secret for new Sneaker

What is your secret recipe of success in design, what is your secret ingredient?

Perseverate and trust in God

Who are some other design masters and legends you get inspired from?

I don´t no one

What are your favorite designs by other designers, why do you like them?

I like some car designs but I don´t know the designers name.

What is your greatest design, which aspects of that design makes you think it is great?

The Premier Plus because I think have so many information in a simple visual an so much technology and comfort inside the boot.

How could people improve themselves to be better designers, what did you do?

Work Hard, study Always

If you hadn't become a designer, what would you have done?

Archaeologist

How do you define design, what is design for you?

IS THE MAIN THING YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEAD AND YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD IF WOULD KNOW HOW TO USE THIS.

Who helped you to reach these heights, who was your biggest supporter?

God, my Wife and my Family

What helped you to become a great designer?

Perseverate never give up

What were the obstacles you faced before becoming a design master?

Show to others what I could do

How do you think designers should present their work?

Always trusthfuly

What's your next design project, what should we expect from you in future?

always trusthfuly do better that you can

What's your ultimate goal as a designer?

Be recognized in the world as one of the best technical designer in footwear in all areas

What people expect from an esteemed designer such as yourself?

Expect the best and the safety of a job well done

How does design help create a better society?

Can bring work options to people who have talent but sometimes do not have opportunities

What are you currently working on that you are especially excited about?

I worked in safety footwear design and I like so much this project

Which design projects gave you the most satisfaction, why?

The Premier Plus because I could win A Design Award competition

What would you like to see changed in design industry in the coming years?

The Sneakers could be change for more comfort and really help

Where do you think the design field is headed next?

In the Sports wear

How long does it take you to finalize a design project?

Depends on each project around six month or more

When you have a new design project, where do you start?

I start doing a brienf with the objectives of the project

What is your life motto as a designer?

Every day we have to learn something different because if you did not learn anything at the end of the day it's because you did not build anything new

Do you think design sets the trends or trends set the designs?

The design sets the trends

What is the role of technology when you design?

The role of technology is helo us in all process and bring something help the users.

What kind of design software and equipment do you use in your work?

Shoemaster Power CadCam

What is the role of the color, materials and ambient in design?

This Rule of combination for everything that you think

What do you wish people to ask about your design?

I wish the people asked about how can get this combination

When you see a new great design or product what comes into your mind?

How to develed this what technology have this product

Who is your ideal design partner? Do you believe in co-design?

Yes I believe my ideal design partner could be a proficiency in technology

Which people you interacted had the most influence on your design?

All public and the marketing team

Which books you read had the most effect on your design?

Not usually read books some magazine sometimes

How did you develop your skills as a master designer?

I developed my skills worked in productive process being shoemaker

Irrelative of time and space, who you would want to meet, talk and discuss with?

People that wants be better than now and wants do the difference

How do you feel about all the awards and recognition you had, is it hard to be famous?

I feel Honor but is not hard I hope honor this award

What is your favorite color, place, food, season, thing and brand?

White, London, Barbecure, Winter, Guitar and Fender

Please tell us a little memoir, a funny thing you had experienced as a designer?

I don´t remember now

What makes your day great as a designer, how do you motivate yourself?

know that I can be better each day

When you were a little child, was it obvious that you would become a great designer?

never tought about this

What do you think about future; what do you see will happen in thousand years from now?

Just God can know

Please tell us anything you wish your fans to know about you, your design and anything else?

I have hobby play guitar I like Red Hot Chili Peppers and blues music

Designer Interview

40 questions

I am a shoemaker that become a Techincial footwear designer but I never imagine that I will be a designer in my life.

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 am a shoemaker that become a Techincial footwear designer but I never imagine that I will be a designer in my life.

Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?

I work for big Footwear Industry in Brazil

What is "design" for you?

IS THE MAIN THING YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEAD AND YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD IF WOULD KNOW HOW TO USE THIS.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

I Like to design footwear all types

What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?

My favorite is the first version of Premier that I did in 2014 this range was the first one outdoor lines that I did and everybody like so much and sell a lot in the company.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

The First design was military boot

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

My platform technology favorite is Shoemaster

When do you feel the most creative?

Most of the time I get inspired when I see something new challenged and I see it all the time

Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?

I focus on the creative and technical aspect so that everything goes as I think

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

I feel many things but I the main is satisfaction of doing something real good

What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?

Honor to get the goal

What makes a design successful?

Everybody telling about the product, buying your product

When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?

the simetria, the lines and combination

From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?

develop the innovate world could help the environment

How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?

The design is very big and have so many schools teaching the techniques how to improve

When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?

In the Fisp Show in 2018 and Next Will be in 2020 the Fisp Show

Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?

My Inspiration come many places because I see many things, I Always think in the Future because the future is now for all the time.

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 have a vintage style design because I like something vintage but the same I like the future and try to combinate this styles.

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 live in Brazil, I think that Brazil not to prepared to receive many information in design but I see something evoluate in this aspect and we have so much to do

How do you work with companies?

Usually I work to a company

What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?

Experience tell more than bacharel especially in Footwear

Can you talk a little about your design process?

Process is to try something every time and change my mind when I realize that I have found something very good in the middle of the process

What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?

TV, House, sofá, chair and refrigerator

Can you describe a day in your life?

One day in my life is a day with hard work, many testing happening, running a lot to get the goals.

Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?

Don´t give up because I started design not yung that I like but now I realized

From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?

Don´t give up because I was not young to start draw than but now I got my dream

What is your "golden rule" in design?

perseverate trust in GOD

What skills are most important for a designer?

Look to inside bring the better you have

Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?

Shoemaster Software, look every time everything around me this the major tools we can have.

Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?

I do in my work time I try never bring to my home

How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?

sometimes minutes, hours, days or months

What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?

Do you can do this?

What was your most important job experience?

Worked the Milatry Boot Project to export

Who are some of your clients?

Footwear Industry

What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?

Sneakers and outdoor Boots because have some many information and technology

What are your future plans? What is next for you?

Improve my techniques and do some Sneakers

Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?

I develop By myself

Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?

I have something but I prefere keep in secret now

How can people contact you?

odairferro@gmail.com WhatsApp 55 32 9 99051053

Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?

No thanks you very much

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The designer interview questions and answers published in our interview page with Odair José Ferro come from Designer Interviews, the international platform where world's top designers, star architects, creators and innovators are interviewed.