Interview with BenjiLock Llc

My creativity is fueled by what life gives me. You just never know what life hits you with and that's how I have always created. However, I'm always inspired and motivated by other designers, makers, entrepreneurs, the ocean, nature and music.

My family was always very supportive of my creativity and artistic background during my high school days and towards college, so it was very natural and never ever forced.

From an invention, just like I did with BenjiLock to a beautiful and clean website, while using my marketing and advertising expertise in the creation of a packaging, exhibition, event, communication and much more. I truly enjoy the whole process of designing. However, I'm always open to work on ideas that are sustainable for the future of our generation.

Be extremely open minded to learn from others. I don't consider myself a legend at all. I learned to seek guidance and mentorship. You will learn so much by just being in a positive mindset and able to work as a team. If you give back, it will come back.

The drive and passion to get things done. It doesn't matter if you went to the most expensive school, if you don't have the passion, it won't do you a thing.

From my personal perspective, I evaluate a good design on functionality, environment and what impact is going to generate for the future of our generation.

The value of a good design is that it could create an economic, social and environmental impact to our current and future generations.

I would design and make a unique innovation for comic-book writer Stan Lee. He's such a legend and myself being a pop culture fanatic, it would be an honor to create something for the future of his franchise.

I currently don't have a dream project. My creativity is fueled by what life gives me every day. You just never know what life hits you with and that's how I have always created.

My secret ingredient is being myself and always open minded to learn every day.

I tend to get inspired by the real everyday people, regardless of what industry or heritage you're coming from, whether you're just trying to provide for your family or working hard towards a goal. That's my real inspiration.

I like designs that are simple and easy to digest with a first look. That are innovative, but with an ease in functionality.

My purpose is to redefine the personal security experience using hybrid technology with the consumer in mind. BenjiLock is my creation and is the world's first traditional rechargeable padlock with fingerprint technology, which means that you can not only open it with the ease of your fingertips, but also with a set of traditional keys. In less words, a hybrid, so if the technology fails, you're still able to use your lock. The simplistic and functionality of the design and the overall use of the product, it's what made it not only for myself a success, but to this date, to hear and read the overwhelming amount of positive reaction, it's a humbling experience that I will never ever forget.

There's plenty of good people that are extremely open to help you in your exciting journey to become better. I learned to be open minded, to listen and to always seek guidance.

I would have become a professional musician.

From a simple lyric of a song or a poem to a beautiful landscape in photography or the making of an invention, all of this for me, constitutes design and art. I'm extremely open minded when it comes to the word design.

My family and my circle of friends.

Listening, reading, setting goals and the ability to network are extremely important skills to my success. I'm a believer of surrounding yourself with a group of people that are in a positive mindset. This will always lead to become a better "YOU".

Life hits you in many different ways. A major obstacle I personally faced was being laid off in the month of December by an employer. This hit real hard, but it led me to also be more creative.

I'm a believer of networking. If a designer, maker or entrepreneur is able to meet with its clients or current prospects, show their work and aptitude towards life, you get a better feeling of what's to come. That personal touch is irreplaceable.

My goal for the rest of the year is to keep innovating in our field, polish our current product and design portfolio and bring BenjiLock to market.

To always keep learning, be innovative and live life to its fullest potential.

A person that works hard, it's passionate but it's also extremely humble.

I have kids, so it's a must for me to see them grow in the best impact whether is economic, social or environmental. Design is everywhere these days and with technology, I'm sure the future is bright.

It's a secret! :)

The most satisfaction I've had in my life was creating BenjiLock. From being able to sketch an idea in a piece of paper to work towards a goal and actually see it happen, it's a process of grind, tears of joy and beauty that I will never forget.

I would like the design industry to fight and create more opportunities in the job market. Don't get me wrong, freelancing is great, but I've seen how a lot of current and upcoming designers tend to quit due to the unemployment rate or the pay rate is extremely low. Those factors tend to lower a lot the creativity and passion in the industry.

The design field is always changing, especially with the advances in technology, so regardless of what industry you're working with, I see a lot of higher and creative efforts towards the environment, making it better, more sustainable and able to regenerate for the health and the well-being of humanity.

It depends on the project and type of design. It could be hours, days, weeks, months or years.

I start with a cup of coffee.

I have plenty, but one that really sticks with me is "Do it with passion, or don't do it at all".

Absolutely. I think design sets the trends that we see everyday whether is from clothing, furniture, architecture, websites etc.

I'm very traditional and an old soul when it comes to designing. I'm very pen and paper to start, regardless of the project. However, it does have a major role from working remotely with my team and advancing work in real time.

The Adobe catalog is a must, SolidWorks and so far, our Apple and Lenovo computers have done wonders!

First of all, it depends on what is the design about and based on that, then the rest can be determined, but I'm a believer that color has a tremendous role in everything we do. They can trigger certain emotions, memories and can make a big impact on our lives.

I've already had the question ask, but it's always exciting to explain how it all started. The journey of creating something out of nothing, it's an experience that my team and I will never forget.

What's the story behind it.

My ideal design partner is my current team. Teamwork is key in everything I do, so I definitely believe in co-design.

The people around my life which includes friends and family.

I have to probably say Michael Machalko's Thinkertoys and Cracking Creativity.

The awards and nominations are a great honor. To see your hard work recognized by different industries it's very exciting, but the journey and experience that took me there, that's what is most gratifying.

Technology is evolving so fast that It's extremely hard to wrap my mind around at this moment on how far we'll be by then! The future is looking very exciting for sure, but also a bit scary!

My company’s purpose is to redefine the personal security experience using hybrid technology with the consumer in mind. BenjiLock is the world's first traditional rechargeable padlock with fingerprint technology, which means that you can not only open it with the ease of your fingertips, but also with a set of traditional keys. In less words, a hybrid, so if the technology fails, you're still able to use your lock.

From a simple lyric of a song or a poem to a beautiful landscape in photography or the making of an invention, all of this for me, constitutes design and art. I'm extremely open minded when it comes to the word design.

From an invention, just like I did with BenjiLock to a beautiful and clean website, while using my marketing and advertising expertise in the creation of a packaging, exhibition, event, communication and much more. I truly enjoy the whole process.

There's a lot of designs that I actually enjoy seeing, but one of my favorite designs has to be the Vertical City in the city of Rotterdam, Netherlands. I had the pleasure to visit the city last year and having the chance to see this massive complex. It takes a lot of guts, innovation and creativity to design and build a facility of this nature.

The first thing I designed for a company was an advertising and marketing campaign.

I don't really have a favorite, so depending on what I'm trying to achieve in the moment, I use whatever it's available in front of me to be creative.

There's really no time. It's unexpected. The mind does wonders.

I focus on the person next to me, regardless of what type of design it is. I always ask myself, how is this person going to digest what's at stake. Simplicity is key.

I feel extremely happy and passionate about what I do.

Satisfied and humbled. Hard work pays off.

In my particular case, simplicity. If my kids are able to understand it, then that's the sign for me that I'm doing something right.

The pattern, functionality and how this is going to create an impact moving forward.

Sustainability is a priority that I tend to pursue every time a design idea comes in place. I have kids, so it's a must for me to see them grow in the best impact whether is economic, social or environmental.

Design is always evolving and in this day and age, it's everywhere. The future looks bright as it's becoming increasingly accessible to all, including my kids.

My last exhibition was in the month of April in the city of Los Angeles. My next exhibition is in my hometown of the Dominican Republic, but I would love to hold a future exhibition in Europe.

My creativity is fueled by what life gives me. You just never know what life hits you with and that's how I have always created. However, I'm always inspired by the ocean, nature and music.

Able to understand what's at stake without an explanation. Simplicity.

I currently live in Los Angeles, California, but I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, so having the chance to live in two different worlds, has helped me tremendously to appreciate life and be humble. The cultural heritage didn't really affect me. The pros are that if you put your passion to it, you're able to achieve anything you want. The cons are that if you're trying to form a team, not everyone has the same drive to join you in the journey of creating and developing new ideas.

I tend to work remotely, but with always a sense of what's at stake and its deadline.

Get to know them on a personal level and you will achieve wonders. As far as selecting a good designer, sometimes it's not the amount of knowledge, it's the relationship.

I tend to sketch ideas with a cup of coffee and that's how it starts. Also, reuniting with my team and brainstorming helps a lot.

I absolutely love my Nest thermostat. It's simple and easy to use. Besides that, I like the design of my living room couch, refrigerator, an oval mid-century living room dining table and the outside of my home. It was built in 1924, so it has a Spanish style, but also with a touch of modern life, thanks to me!

The first thing I do after waking up is making breakfast and having my kids ready for their journey ahead, which is school. After dropping them off, I tend to walk or exercise for an hour or so to relax the mind and start fresh for my own personal journey.

Don't quit and be open minded. Everyday you're learning. It never ends.

From my perspective, the positive is to see the work come to fruition, the negatives is probably the weird hours of work that I and my team put into anything we do.

Always give your all, but if for some reason, you're not feeling it that day, take some time off and regenerate to motivate yourself again.

Patience and time management.

Pencil and paper to tell you the truth. The traditional way. Besides that, good reads, music and nature. As far as software, the Adobe catalog is always great, SolidWorks and much more.

When the creativity sparks, it's time to work and it's usually a 24/7 thing. Either you have it or not. However, sleep and giving back to the family is always key to build a strong positive relationship for the journey ahead.

It could take days, months, years depending on the project.

What's your schedule like? or how long would the process take?

My most important job experience was actually being laid off from work. I took the time to take care of my kids, focus on my family and the future. With that being said, the creativity came with it to start my own journey.

For the moment, I am my own client, due to the nature of my business. As far as an entrepreneur, I've had the pleasure to had clients in the field of consumer electronics, toys, wine and real estate.

To create simplistic solutions in solving problems that consumers are facing today.

My main goal for the rest of the year is to keep innovating in our field, polish our current product and design portfolio and bring BenjiLock to market.

Yes, we work as a team.

We are currently working on the future of our current design.

I can be reached through our website which is BenjiLock.com or directly rcabral@benjilock.com.

Just a thought for current and future designers, makers and innovators, no matter what life throws at you, the journey could be difficult, but if you keep working hard towards a goal, anything is possible! Thank you for the opportunity!