Interviews with Oz Shenhar

Drummers are the only musicians that should be very creative in getting their music instrument to be versatile.

In guitar, for example, there are millions of sound combinations. In a drum, there is only one single pitch.

Zikit wanted to give drummers instrument a chameleon nature, to be able to change their music instrument according to the music they want to create.

There were some mechanical options to solve this problem. Still, only the one we chose could get as far, to be minimalistic, and give drummers this natural feel that nothing in their traditional music experience is changed.

My only goal from day one is trying to answer all the end-user needs.

about 3 years

The drum industry almost stayed the same since the invention of the drum kit. Since I think that it is a very exciting instrument, I was wondering if this is a natural way, and drums are just so perfect and simple product, or is there a way to discover new abilities in the same traditional acoustic instrument.

Right now, I am happy to have both options. I just hope that this product will find its best way to the end-user.

I love the combination of design for a function and craft. There are many issues in music instruments that need to be considered since any decision will be "heard." There are many limitations in choosing the right solution, and I just love this process of reaching the perfect combination of great design and high-end instruments.

I must say that there were not so many innovations in the drum industry related to Zikit products. I am surrounded by some talented and creative minds, like my mechanical engineer Boaz Ken-Dror, which helped make this concept a reality.

Drummers!!!

The closest concept to Zikit design is electronic drums. They also give versatility in the sound. I don't say that there is something wrong with electronic drums, only that we see that they got into a nitch of practicing. Most drummers need this natural feel of the acoustic drums, and Zikit gives them a versatility option in this natural acoustic tool.

Zikit, in my native language, is chameleon. I just wanted to give drummers the option to change their musical instruments according to what they want to play. This mission had to be achieved by getting under the drum skin :)

The best design tool is getting some end-users to be experienced in the project.

I keep teling myself that there is nothing regarding to me in this project, it is all regarding the end-user.

I mentioned my mechanical designer Boaz Ken-Dror. I also got significant support from Dennis Chambers - one of the best drummers of all time.

Finally this is a simple product. There was a significant process to make it simple (and reliable). We use high end materials, that gives minimalistic definitions to Zikit Product.

We asked 30 drummers, from different styles what they think about our prototype, and this was our best research.

Woohoohoo, there were so many. Too heavy, mechanical parts that make nice while moving, mechanisms that block the natural sound, very uncomfortable installation.

We were back from a big conference, as a promising product for the industry, and just right after, COVID-19 started.

We didn't want to hold and see what will happen, so we decided to approach other goals that we didn't have the time for. The A Design Award was definitely something we wanted to achieve.

I learned how to listen to the process and get the right decisions regarding all aspects, Design, mechanical abilities, limitations, abilities.

Yes. The design process is dynamic. We, as designers, should be flexible enough to hear the natural needs of the product design.

I graduated in 2000 at the age of 26, and it took me about 6 years to find the right studio that will fit my abilities, and it was working for Aqua Creations, which was a great place to work for. I liked this combination of technology and craft. After 5 great years, I started to work on my first start-up.

Designers have this gift to transform conceptual thoughts into items.

I just found design as a language that I can express myself.

Zikit is part of the music industry, and this is where I put my efforts.

Legends there are only in legends. We all need to work hard and to experiment in many fields until we find our sweet spot.

When I'll be a great designer I'll probably know.

Finding a "hidden" problems and solving them elegantly is a good design from my perspective.

Good designers have a multidisciplinary vision. They will always have new ways to solve problems differently.

I love my job in Zikit drums. I'm filling that I am in the right place, and in the right industry.

Zikit drums is my dream project, I was looking for this day for almost 10 years. This project is my dream and many drummers dream, and I fill lucky that it came realized.

I am trying to test my design and engineering concepts with a few of my colleagues. Then build a product-market fit map, and a temporary team in target to test first prototype with a potential end-user.

I worked for Ayala Zarfati for 5 years, and I think that she is a 100% designer.

I like what Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta from Studio Drift are doing. They think out of the box, and they walking between design art and technology in the right wat to reflect their concepts.

Conceptually, my work for New-Create was the greatest one, the thing that makes me think it is great is from the fact that it failed. Google mentioned us in their patents, many companies were interested in our technology, only that it probably wasn't the time, and it took from us too much effort finding the right market for this product.

Experience in different platforms, work with new colleagues. There are so many sources for e-learning for inspiration.

But in the end, I was trying to understand what are my real skills are, and focus on them.

Entrepreneur

The basic design is to take a concept and zoom it in, into an object. If it is a consumer product, it must also go into the process of market fit plane and design according to technology and manufacturing processes.

My partners in Zikit drums took me to new places professionally, and I thank them for that.

I have a great answer for that. fails. when you fail personally you can actually learn what to do better next time.

There is a gap you should fill yourself that will transfer all you learn and experience as a student. Practical experience is a major part of success.

Presenting work should be followed by the most attractive way that the product users expect, adding some of your personal touches. I don't really like that work is being present in a sophisticated way.

Zikit will launch soon. Our design plans are full until 2022.

I just hope to keep on working on really great concepts, new technologies pups-up very fast, and I wish that I will be in the position to identify new technologies, materials, and processes and to join them right into great products.

I am not sure about the "esteemed" description... In the end, I prefer to be related to the fact that I do whatever it takes to lead my projects as far as possible while continuing to be happy and to have a normal life with my family.

Designers have multidisciplinary skills. This is what makes them unique in the way that they can do the "connections" in society. They also have the point of view to see the wide picture, and by that, to make the right corrections.

Zikit is a project that has many plans for the future. I would like that ASAP we will make some custom versions for high-end users, also we are working on a bass Drum version, which that will be very cool.

By far Zikit. I was dreaming about this project for more than 10 years. I was so happy finally to be able to work on it, and I will be more than happy that our end-users, the drummer's community, will have this opportunity to increase their versatility by using Zikit.

If I will take one of the international design exhibitions as an example, we can see that it splits to 10% of very interesting concepts, and unlimited fill from one side, and 90% very ordinary product from the other side.

I think that we all want that this 10% will get bigger. I wish that designers will blend inside big companies and will keep on working on some unordinary concepts. We have the tools for that, but most of the time, profitability is standing at the top of the list in big companies, and I hope that we will see it change.

I believe that design should stand in its place. Too many things are moving forward. Designers have the point of view to understand what headed next, we should also experience in new fields and get as many skills as we can, but finally, we should remember that the world is not only for those that can keep up the speed.

It depends on how big is the problem that you want to solve.

I build a model of a product-market fit, start to have an interaction with end-users, with designers that already tried to find solutions, speak with some of my colleagues, and trying to get the best perspective on the project.

Find what motivates you as a professional, look for your internal true. Then use your skills to follow that true.

I think that entrepreneurs are the ones that set the trends.

Technology should follow the answers that you ask yourself or asking end-users, how can I solve the problem that I am here for.

I think for the best tools to communicate with the end-user, and I build my toolbox according to that.

It should also follow the answers that you ask yourself or asking end-users, how can I solve the problem that I am here for.

what were your obstacles in the way? How did you learn from failure?

I have a special folder for that. I save it and write down in one sentence what came up on my mind when I saw it first.

It really depends on the project, and even more in the designer personality. I definitely don't think that designers should work alone.

Engineers. Electronic, mechanical, software, plastics est. the leading engineers have practical access to all that is new in technology and materials.

The Bibel.

I don't think I am a master designer. I believe in planning ahead your goals, and to be able to start over again and again.

rabbi nachman of breslov

Being famous is not something that I consider as a target.

I have no favorites. We are in an amazing creation 24/7, and anything has its own beauty in its purpose.

The first job I got as a designer in a studio was funny. I met my future boss a minute before my interview, while I was changing my clothes in the car. My boss, Ayala Zarfati, just parked beside me, and this was our first meeting.

The end-users. If you get that you make products that brings added value to there lives, that motivates me.

I thought of being a soccer player...

The world will be in a different state of mind. We are just waiting for the time that the right man will be chosen to bring this new "awareness" to the whole world, in a very pure way.

Don't forget to be happy.

Being a Designer is not so easy. I graduated in 2000, and it took me 10-15 years to reach a point that I know how to transfer my thoughts to a product that can give a significant added value to the user.

Right now Zikit is a one-man game, only that I have the luck working with talented partners and subcontractors.

Transforming the gifts you got to fiscal products that communicate positively with reality.

I like working on a new concept from scratch.

I worked for Aqua-Creations LTD for 5 years, and I think that they are great and innovative in the field of lighting fixtures.

Nana 200 for Aqua-Creations

Though I was a founder of a technological start-up in the field of robotics, I am a low-tech guy. I am trying to use material and technology as a creative tool for the major concept.

I start working when everyone is eating dinner. For me, 6 hours of night work are compared to 10 hours during the day.

The end-user should be always in the focus.

My emotions come up only when I think of the added value for the end-user.

I am happy to fulfill this part of my mission.

My design field starts with solving problems. If we are doing that, this can lead to a successful design.

If we are talking about designing a new concept for consumer products, which is my field, solving problems always should come first, but there are many routes to get to the target. For me, the best way to get to the target is always doing a good "market fit" dynamic plan. A new concept that reaches this big plan will also have naturally a great design.

We got our gifts and we need to spread it out positively, as simple as this. We are defiantly not the issue.

Technology brought some good things and some bad things. One of the bad things is physical interactions that do not include screens. We can see that ADHD is in growth, and also depression, and we should definitely think about that.

NAMM show 2020. Zikit is part of the music industry, and this is where we put our efforts.

I was a founder of 2 start-ups in the last 7 years. The best way to feed creativity was always by brainstorming with my colleagues.

I never start thinking about design with anyone's style. The design should come from a pure will to solve a problem.

Where I live has a lot of influence on the way I think and work. Even more than I can understand. Israel is a very powerful place. Israel is the second most innovative country in the world. Tel Aviv is the second to Silicon Valley as the most important technology center in the world. This is a very inspiring place to live, and Zikit is a by-product of my incredible partners and subcontrocutes.

It is not obvious to understand the "other side" needs. As much as the "other side" is involved with building the product-market fit plan, the result will be better.

I like designers that know their limitations, as much they know their skills.

I am trying to test my design and engineering concepts with a few of my colleagues. Then build a product-market fit map, and a temporary team in target to test first prototype with a potential end-user.

Most of my design items are self-made.

Zikit is now in a manufacturing phase. I am working with my engineers to optimize our design for mass production, and in between working on logistics, marketing materials, package design.

We are growing moving from one institution to another. Stop. Think of who you are. You are defiantly not a by-product of the institution you learned in or of the company you work for.

Looking to get respect is negative, all other is positive.

See that you are happy in your personal life. It will make you a better designer.

A designer should be always a fast learner.

I think for the best tools to communicate with the end-user, and I build my toolbox according to that.

We must concentrate on our goals without giving self distractions to run our lives.

It depends on what this object is.

How did you think about that? Is there something similar already?

Were I "failed" the most, I learned the most.

I am developing products for end-users.

Building the prototypes. Seeing plans transferring to physical parts is great.

Zikit will launch soon. Our design plans are full until 2022.

I see teamwork essential for successful design. Sometimes your team can be temporary subcontractors. You don't have to use the same team for each job.

Zikit is launching 2 products. The self-installed diameter change pro-kit, that can fit any 14" snare drum, and a dedicated Zikit snare drum. We are 100% working to give drummers for the first time this versatility option, to change the snare drum pitch in real-time

Don't forget to be happy.