Interviews with Zbigniew Dubiel

The Torqway Hybrid target market is mature and active people age 55+. There are quite a few different personal mobility products on the market, which are destined for young audience. My goal was to make Torqway look modern, timeless and attractive. I also wanted to visually connect it with the technology behind it. Most of all by applying this design I wanted to encourage future users to try it. I think it is fresh, dynamic and still elegant design.

It is still very common to see the not to well designed products for senior citizens in comparison to younger buyers.

We don't agree with this. I am absolutely certain that it doesn't matter how old one is, we still like our products, vehicles to look nice. The design of Torqway looks safe and stable - it is very important. It gives impression like it is quite light and dynamic. The shape of the Torqway moving poles were inspired by muscular arms. Visual connection between our body and the device.

The Torqway Company is currently working very hard on pre-series prototype production of the Hybrid. It should be on the market fairly soon.

I reckon there will be a lots of people packing their Torqways to their electric cars and taking them to (for example) Northern Holland to explore tulip fields, seaside and sand dunes using endless bike roads. Fantastic alternative to the bicycles.

We spent about about nice months in total beginning from initial discussion to the final mockup of the design.

The Torqway company had approached me with the initial technical concept of the product. The general idea of how it should work like were known to me before I started my work. Two big and two small wheels, stable floor, two arms/poles for powering the vehicle. My job was to bring this technical concept to the level, where the visible parts are well designed and where the aesthetics of the vehicle work well with the practicality of Torqway. We wanted it to look very encouraging to be active in any age and with style.

The design was commissioned by the Torqway Sp. z o.o. from Torun, Poland, which is in developing process of this product.

I really like designing vehicles, products that help human move around. For me it was very exciting time designing Torqway Hybrid.

I always look at surrounding nature, it is the biggest inspiration source for me. I also like to look on some futuristic architecture, science fiction movies. I think I like my designs to stay as simple as possible with a little touch of emotions. I am a big fan of simplistic design style of Dieter Rams.

The product is for everyone who prefers to stay active and is looking for new forms of active mobility. The original idea of this product was to create mobile sports device for seniors in order to maintain their physical health.

Torqway Hybrid is very unique. Some see the similarities with Segway but it is an apparent similarity. It is all about maintaining physical activity by arm and entire body movement. Besides the obvious practicality there is also the styling which sets Torqway apart from many available on the market exercise devices. We are certain, that aging society will appreciate more the products, which provide not only practicality but also can visually connect with the user.

Torqway has been created by by the company founders Beata and Andrzej Sobolweski. The name Torqway comes from the word torque - force causing rotation.

The heart and the most important innovation of the Torqway Hybrid is the torque mechanism itself. It eliminates the neutral gear ride and because of this, it changes the levers motion to the rotational movement of the wheels without any unnecessary energy loss. Andrzej Sobolewski is the idea creator and the main engineer of the company.

I prefer to stick with conventional pen and paper for the very initial ideation stage. Later I use the typical 2D and 3D digital designers tools, which help achieve the desired results.

I tried really hard to visually connect the Torqway Hybrid mechanical design with the future user expectations. So the way it looks it really represents the way it works.

I have collaborated with Torqway engineers and modelmaking specialists.

The mechanical torque mechanism along with the supporting electric power make the ideal combination for achieving desired use for the exercise, health and fun results.

Yes, there was a large research done based on scientifics data before we started designing.

I think the biggest challenge was to stay true to the mechanical and engineering requirements. It is a relatively small device and every millimeter counts.

I have received the email from A"Design Award and Competition with proposition to participate with one of my tram design.

Every project gives new challenges and opportunities to learn. The Torqway Hybrid project was also challenging and inspiring and because of the uniqueness of the product itself the design process required sometimes different approach. Being flexible and able to adjust in order to provide successful design solution.

I am thankful for the opportunity Torqway has gave me to be included in such a inspiring and important project.

I have been professionally working as a transportation designer for nearly ten years.

After graduating from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California, where I received the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Transportation/Automotive Design, I joined Solaris Bus and Coach as a bus designer.

This was my professional start.

I always loved vehicles: cars, trucks buses. As a child, my back pages of school notebooks were always filled with drawings of cars, bikes, trucks,shoes. I thought of something and I would draw it. I just like to imagine new things, seeing things being improved, better, nicer. Although I would like to improve many aspects of our everyday life, due to my speciality and passion, I focus mainly on transportation.

Definitely, it was my decision.

I design all kinds of vehicles. Mainly public transit ones. I would like to work more on next generation of autonomous buses, delivery trucks and vans.

I don't really consider myself as a legend but if I had to give out prospect designers any advice, I think it would be not to give up, try hard and if it doesn't work, find another solution and try harder.

I think we need to look at the great designers and their achievements.

I think when any product, space, building or a service makes its users life easier, more pleasant, safer, more relaxing and on the top of it, it brings joy, that means that it was not only well engineered but also very well designed.

One of the things I would love to design in the near future would be new, fully electric with completely rethinked technical platform coach bus. We need them.

Maybe the one above.

Possibly good planning and time management, aesthetic management, staying open for new inspirations and ideas.

One of them would certainly be Mr. Tom Matano - original Mazda Miata designer and my former Transportation Design teacher and director of Industrial Design at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. I learned a lot from him.

This days I really admire the new Tesla car sporty exterior and minimalistic interior design. Great use of the latest technology in a practical and easy to use package.

I am also a big fan of simplistic design style of Dieter Rams.

I think looking back at Harley Earl era and the cars he designed makes me always very inspired.

I love the emotions coming from those huge sweeping and elegant forms.

I think, besides hard work and being motivated it is really quite personal thing how you get better.

I think maybe a big semi truck driver.

"Design" already has a established definition, but for me personally, I would say it is a constant and infinite process of creating functional, intuitive and importantly beautiful things which help us with our daily lives.

I have always been supported by my family.

The question is: should I consider myself as a great designer. Maybe not yet. Let others to decide :)

I am not in a position to consider myself as design master.

In person with clients.

Probably some new energy, ecological public transit vehicles.

Help others by design.

Good work, finding solutions to people's ideas, bringing new ideas.

By innovating and improving.

I am still involved in couple of projects including Torqway, and I am very excited to see the fully working pre production prototypes being tested.

I have to say Torqway Hybrid was one the most challenging ones, maybe because it is a completely new type of product, there is this big satisfaction to see it on the road. While working at Solaris Bus and Coach I helped with the development of the intercity bus Interurbino and now to see this bus carrying passengers in many markets makes me proud.

I would love to see more intuitiveness and simplicity in future design solutions.

One of the direction certainly goes towards more eco friendly and autonomous, AI solutions.

It all depends on individual project.

Always with speaking with clients in order to learn as much as possible about their company, their needs and goals.

Hmm, always try harder.

I think it works in both ways.

Most of the time it is a pen/pencil and my sketchbook, but I would say the Photoshop is the major tool in my toolbox.

It certainly plays a great role especially when working with vehicle interior design.

I am always curious and keen to visually study it, read about it.

I think co-designing may be not only inspiring but it can make the process faster.

I've reading recently Altered Carbon, which is this cyberpunk novel by British writer Richard K. Morgan. It is a mindblowing view into the future of humanity.

I am still in the process of mastering this art.

It would have to be Leonardo da Vinci.

Although I appreciate the award I got, I don't look at myself as a famous person.

I like blue, Mediterranean Sea, Italian food, summer, my mountain bike.

I exercise in morning and this boost my energy and makes me ready to start the work.

I love this question. I think the humanity will be very busy creating solutions of how to expand our activities to other galaxies :)

I think transportation design will be booming sector.

I've recently created DubielDesign Instagram profile, so please keep checking this and my website as I post some news and new designs from time to time.

I always loved vehicles: cars, trucks buses and other means of transportation. As a child, my back pages of school notebooks were always filled with drawings. Drawings of cars, bikes, trucks,shoes. I dreamt of something and I would draw it. Also when I was a kid my dad always took me to some transportation exhibitions. At that time I didn't have any idea about designer profession.

My childhood definitely had big influence on what I am doing right now.

I think wanting things to look and work better in general along with dreaming gives me a loads of inspiration and definitely helps in my profession.

Dubiel Design is the idea created long before I actually started it. On the beginning, while I was working as full time bus designer, I also wanted to work on external smaller projects, to explore more options and to challenge myself and at the same time of course make some extra money.

Over the time this idea evolved to fully independent design services, which allows me to work with various clients on different projects.

Running your own business is very challenging and demanding job, but I love it.

I look forward to grow and evolve from a single man freelance design services to a bit larger business providing beautiful and smart solutions to my current and future clients, and by doing so, I would love to contribute to better quality of life around us. Transportation design is big now and it'll certainly a huge part of our society in the future. Personally and as a Dubiel Design I want to be a part of it.

"Design" already has a established definition, but for me personally, I would say it is a constant and infinite process of creating functional, intuitive and importantly beautiful things which help us with our daily lives.

I enjoy designing every part of the vehicle but for some reason, for me the exteriors are most fun.

It would have to be a car, but there a few of them. It is impossible just to point one.

- 1963 Corvette Stingray Split Window

To me it is the vehicle full of emotions, created by timeless lines, curves. It appears to me as very sporty with a little bit of elegance. In my opinion its exterior design shows a good balance between supercar and everyday sports car.

My very recent favourite design would be Tesla Model 3 - the more I look at this car and the more I learn about it, the more I like it.

It was the lightweight camping caravan Campini. It was my first bigger project as an independent designer.

I am really into the EV Skateboard style platform drivetrains. It gives a lot more freedom to create modern, much safer and practical vehicles.

Late morning hours.

I think all of the elements of design are important but I would say getting the proportions right is crucial thing.

Satisfaction.

I am sure, the successful design is when by its innovative and disruptive nature enhances its users quality of life.

How the look and the aesthetics of the product represent the technology used under the product skin.

In my opinion it is our (the designers) role along with engineers, to create effective and innovative projects, which hopefully will spark the will to create better and cleaner world for our society.

The design field has always been part of human life (even before it was defined as design) and I am certain it will continue to be that way.

We see more and more digitalization of our everyday life and I think design field will play even bigger role in this process.

As a Dubiel Design I haven't had any yet.

Watching how people live, behave, how they interact with others and with the products they use. I look at nature a lot.

I think the style is vastly influenced by our background. Although I currently live in the UK, I was born and raised in Poland and I spent my young adult live in United States, most of the time in California, so by default my style has quite a lot of influences from those cultures.

It is hard to describe my style as working with different clients requires quite often different approach to the projects.

I 'd like to think about my style as... confident.

I currently live in the UK but quite often I am in different countries in Europe, so it is hard to say that only one culture inspires my work.

There is definitely one thing which is completely different in Europe, especially in the UK and way different in America - it is the space. I think when designing anything in Europe in general, we subconsciously use the space in little bit more economical manner.

It is important for me to make sure I listen to the client requirements and ideas carefully.

Good and smooth communication is also the key to successful collaboration.

The best way to select a good designer... I reckon just by checking the dubieldesign.com website and then getting in touch with me:)

I like to listen carefully what client has to say first. Then I research as much as possible, I sketch as many options as possible in given time.

Then there is 3D modeling and visualization phase. It is good to organize the process in the way, so the clients can feel like is taking a part in the design process, so a proper face to face consultations are very valuable.

It gives us (designers) and clients the opportunity to adjust and improve the design along the way, rather than investing time and money afterwards.

I don't really have any at home that I really like that much.

Besides the obvious ones, I work a lot - designing is my passion. There is always something that can be improved. I like to have my sketchbook and pen always close to me, in case some idea comes.

I don't think I am in the position I can suggest to others how to design. Well, maybe there will be one thing, that I can actually say - never give up, just keep pushing (finding solutions to problems) until it's done.

I don't really see any negatives. I love what I do. There are many positive aspects of being the designer. Working in creative environments, meeting interesting people, visiting exciting places and most important being able to create new stuff.

Trying not to limit myself. I always look to learn new.

I think one of the most important would be: being able to visually communicate the ideas.

Most of the time it is a pen/pencil and my sketchbook, but I would say the Photoshop is the major tool in my toolbox.

I like to plan ahead and have things organized.

I don't think there is one answer to it. It depends on what type of product is being designed and on the complexity of this product.

"So, are you an artist?" :)

Seeing the full size working prototype of the bus, which was just a sketch a year earlier.

Well, the Torqway Sp.z o.o. from Torun is one of my most important client. I have recently worked with Chinese bus manufacturer Jiangsu ALfa Bus located near Shanghai.

The sketching ideas is the most enjoyable part for me.

I would love to keep growing as a designer and hopefully Dubiel Design will participate in many successful projects, developing eco friendly, sustainable and beautiful vehicles for the better future.

Both. It depends on project.

I have been researching lately about new type of city buses.

The best would be to email me at dubielddesign@yaho.com, or call me at +44 7789553818

No, but I would like to say thank you very much for your interest and time.