Skip to content
Jaco Roeloffs

AustraliaFine Art

Interviews with Jaco Roeloffs

Read the interviews with Jaco Roeloffs: understand their philosophy, creative process and award-winning work.

Designer Profile

Design Legend Interview

10 questions

I am mainly self taught. I am very curious and love reading about new technology nature etc. Before the internet I had hundreds of National Geographic books and that was my visual encyclopedia.

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

I am mainly self taught. I am very curious and love reading about new technology nature etc. Before the internet I had hundreds of National Geographic books and that was my visual encyclopedia. Through that I was inspired by all the natural forms and colours. It also drew me to study uncommon shapes.

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

I would like to design houses, but I know you have to be a qualified architect. Its more that I like architecture, it inspires me.

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

About 1 month.

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

With the story and the stakeholders.

What is the role of technology when you design?

I use it for putting ideas and shapes into context. Everything doesnt always start with a sketch for me.

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

Normal photo editing and CAD software

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

Like most artists I am very cautious of colour. Colour is so powerful.

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

How can that inspire or influence me.

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

Sometimes. I do like working with others, it helps me challenge what I am thinking. I have noticed it helps me find other ideas during conversations.

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

Not really I just loved being outside on our farms scrapyard. Making things with all the excess pipes, tubes, steel parts etc.

Designer Interview

18 questions

I am an emerging artist. I started in 2018 as a sculptor. I work with a russian design engineer to help me bring some of the complex manufacturing to life.

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

I am an emerging artist. I started in 2018 as a sculptor. I work with a russian design engineer to help me bring some of the complex manufacturing to life.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

Work that links to a story or a human behaviour.

When do you feel the most creative?

Late mornings

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?

Innocent, idealistic.

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 Brisbane, Australia. I was born and raised in rural South Africa. My early adult years I spent in The Netherlands. All of these places influenced me to become who I am today.

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

Learn to let your imagination go and just dont judge where it goes straight away.

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

Positives are seeing my work appreciated and resonate with people.

What is your "golden rule" in design?

Trust your instincts and follow through with your ideas. Don't let them die in your head.

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

Adobe, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign. Also Inventor and Solidworks for 3D and manufacturing drawings.

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

IT is difficult as I have to be flexible with school age children while I work from home.

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

At this stage of my career most of my projects take average 3 months to complete.

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

How do you come up with these ideas?

Who are some of your clients?

Mainly school looking for unique and meaningful monumental artworks that resonate with all stakeholders.

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

Large sculptural installations that is bold and challenging. Regardless of materials needed, I use what I need to in order to get the desired effect.

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

I am working on a commission for a school that captures the flight path of a falling seed.

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

Conceptual work is done by me. Technical design and engineering I do with Andrew Strelnikov.

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

Currently I have a work in progress that is a response to the destruction of my first major sculpture called "Sandberg". The sculpture was destroyed by the bushfires in Australia in 2019.

How can people contact you?

Via email through hello@jacoroeloffs.com

Keep Reading

More Designer Interviews

Read designers.org interviews to discover the philosophy, the creative process and the work of more award-winning designers.

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate

Data Source

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