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Gerhard Maier

AustriaMedical Product

Interviews with Gerhard Maier

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

Designer Profile

Design Legend Interview

17 questions

During my studies in structural engineering at the University of Innsbruck (Austria), I started to develop suspensions for driver´s seats in SUVs for the leading manufacturer of suspended truck seats.

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

During my studies in structural engineering at the University of Innsbruck (Austria), I started to develop suspensions for driver´s seats in SUVs for the leading manufacturer of suspended truck seats.

As I found this more interesting, I switched to mechanical engineering and specialized in air suspensions.

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

Sometimes when I see a technical device for the first time, in my mind´s eye arises a better solution.

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

I create air suspensions for ambulances, customizing them to the local requirements of our clients all over the world.

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

Focus on things that impressed you when you were a child.

Look at them and ask yourself: How can I improve that and make it more beautiful ?

Improve steadily but never copy !

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

Songwriter and rock musician.

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

Regarding technical devices, design is the optimal synthesis of function, intuitive handling and aesthetics.

How do you think designers should present their work?

With the whole range of marketing and modern communication - website, social media, expositions...

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

Currently I am working on the industrualization of the new Hoverboard Bravobase, customized for the stretcher Kartsana Powerbrava.

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

Sometimes a few months, but often years.

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

Analysing the market needs.

What is the role of technology when you design?

For this kind of products, technology is the most important issue.

Design is just the icing on the cake.

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

I admire the creativity and the spiritual power of the developing person.

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

Paramedics and patients.

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

The architects who created roman aqueducts and bridges, which are still bearing today´s heavy traffic.

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

Blue, Vienna, Tapas, Spring, convertible cars by Jaguar.

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

When the looming sun on the horizon breathes life into the new day...

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

At least there was no tree high enough for a view behind the horizon.

Designer Interview

27 questions

During my studies in structural engineering at the University of Innsbruck (Austria), I started to develop suspensions for driver´s seats in SUVs for the leading manufacturer of suspended truck seats.

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?

During my studies in structural engineering at the University of Innsbruck (Austria), I started to develop suspensions for driver´s seats in SUVs for the leading manufacturer of suspended truck seats.

As I found this more interesting, I switched to mechanical engineering and specialized in air suspensions.

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

In the 90s, a private ambulance company asked me for an absorbing bed for his patients to save them from road bumps and I invented the first air-suspended stretcher table in the market, calling it HOVERBOARD.

What is "design" for you?

Regarding technical devices, design is the optimal synthesis of function, intuitive handling and aesthetics.

What kinds of works do you like designing most?

Improving Hoverboards and customizing them to the local requirements of our clients all over the world.

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

I adore slender and graceful bridge structures with an impression of lightweight.

What was the first thing you designed for a company?

A mechanical suspension with hydraulic absorber for the driver´s seat of an off-road-vehicle.

What is your favorite material / platform / technology?

Stainless steel with a semigloss, powder-blasted surface has the highest appearance of premium quality.

When do you feel the most creative?

When the looming sun on the horizon breathes life into the new day...

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

Function is first, but why should´nt it be beautiful too ?

What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?

The whole spectrum from eagerness and frustration to real happiness.

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

Pleasure, but also fear of technical deficiencies.

What makes a design successful?

Besides a useful function and the beauty, in the first instance a good marketing.

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

Where is the benefit, how is the quality appearance and what does my gut say ?

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

Meeting all applicable laws and standards, and yet creating beauty.

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

In technical devices I see expectations of getting more intuitive, networked and ergonomic.

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

This kind of products are primarily exposed at the international fair RETTMOBIL in Fulda Germany.

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

From impressive buildings or bridges, but sometimes from simple things in natural surroundings.

Can you talk a little about your design process?

We analyse the market needs, create a required solution and test it in the field.

Then we improve the technical items and shape the design.

Again field tests and following real crashtests according applicable standards.

Finally expositions, marketing and industrialisation.

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

Focus on things that impressed you when you were a child.

Look at them and ask yourself: How can I improve that and make it more beautiful ?

Improve steadily but never copy !

What skills are most important for a designer?

Creativity and endurance, accepting frame conditions.

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

Everything, starting from paper and pen and mathematical formulas, continuing with laser cutter and welding devices, finalising with manual assembly and tests.

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

In fact it seems that time manages me...

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

Sometimes a few months, but often years.

Who are some of your clients?

The Red Cross Organisation, St. John´s, Order of Malta and local ambulance companies in Austria, Germany and Switzerland as well as the Falck company, the iranian health ministry and paramedical services NSW/Australia.

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

Currently I am working on the industrualization of the new Hoverboard Bravobase, customized for the stretcher Kartsana Powerbrava.

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

Depending on the challenge, I call in specialists for certain tasks.

How can people contact you?

Via mail (info@hover.at) or contactform on our website www.hover.at

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Data Source

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