Interview with Jason Mizrahi

I’ve always been a very visual person who can hone in on a particular element that speaks to me, and immediately begin visualizing its potential. There is a wealth of visual inspiration that allows me to see things not for what they are but rather what they can become.

I absolutely chose to become a designer. I don't think anyone should be forced to become a designer because the vision and inspiration primarily come from within.

Each design is a personal pursuit to balance elements heavily rooted in minimalist design and architecture to create an aesthetic vision of contemporary lines with a classic feel. I’m currently working on developing a collection of furniture and lighting pieces centered towards contemporary luxury with a timeless feel. I initially started creating sculptural edition pieces which was more about the expression of the material and less about everyday use. Now the challenge becomes how to unify the same contemporary elements to create unique, functional furniture for residential and contemporary use.

Persevere and do not follow what is trendy but create something unique.

A great designer is one who creates something beautiful and timeless and is not interested in just designing things that are commercial. A good designer produces what is commercially popular.

The artistry in the design evokes some emotion and enjoyment, thus making the piece a collector’s item.

Good design is timeless.

I would design something sculptural and timeless for someone who appreciates art being integrated into a design, be it furniture or lighting, that goes beyond the boundaries of an era.

A home with minimalist architecture filled with furniture and lighting designs that make each space unique and yet flow seamlessly.

Each designer has his/her own individual recipe for success. The definition of success, however, varies with each individual. My definition of success is to get recognized for designing pieces that evoke a response, "That design is Jason Mizrahi's" and no one else's.

Frank Gehry was the first architect that showed me the possibilities of thinking intuitively . Seeing Bilbao for the first time inspired me to sketch without constraints and begin to view things not for what they are but rather what they can become. I began developing an interest in sculptural and expressive works from Calatrava, Picasso, Ron Arad, and Mcqueen all who were able to break free creatively. expanding upon design elements across various disciplines. Their work made me feel excited about design and in a way creating my own designs has been an omission to want to retain that feeling as much as possible.

Through design, I apply a minimalist approach that utilizes concepts of fluidity and balance expressed through the language of color, texture and shapes. I think the Belcanto or Symphony chair are equally great designs. Each piece comes from a desire to breathe life into design, thus, becoming more about the expression of the material and discovering its potential unrestrained by convention.

Focus on your vision but be receptive to feedback from people who opinions you value. Do not make your designs replicate an element from someone else's design. It is better to be copied than to copy.

I would have remained in the field of architecture and design minimalist homes without sacrificing functionality.

Iconic design attains the perfect mastery of elements from the past, present and future to create something new, powerful and exciting. It sets the standard, creating a movement that inspires one to become more.

My family is my biggest supporter.

Staying focused on what I wanted to achieve in my designs and yet, integrate what the client wants.

Finding local artisans who can fabricate and who understand my designs.

There are multiple ways of presenting one's work and each designer does whatever works for him/her. I do not believe there is one formula.

I never want to be considered a one-dimensional designer and am working on expanding my designs so these are more suitable towards minimalist comfort. I will be introducing more fabric and texture that develops a tone of masculine luxury.
I will continue to have two lines of furniture – The “Limited Collection” and the “Home Collection.” The former consists of sculptural edition pieces that are more about the expression of the material and less about everyday use. The latter, on the other hand, is a collection of pieces centered towards contemporary luxury with a timeless feel. The challenge is to unify the same contemporary elements to create unique, functional furniture for residential and contemporary use.

I have a selfish desire to unify elements of design and art to create minimalist pieces that embody a strong but silent presence in contemporary form. My creativity is fueled by the challenge to design furniture with lines that elicit emotions from the viewer.

I think people expect each piece to breathe life into the design, thus, becoming more about the expression of the material and discovering its potential unrestrained by convention.

Art and design help create a better society because these are motivated by creativity and beauty, rather than by a search for material compensation. Nowadays, I think society is more focused on making money and equating the esthetic value of art or design to how much it costs.

I am currently working on a lighting collection that conveys the same aesthetic as my furniture designs.

Belcanto and Symphony are the most satisfying. The lines of Belcanto change the general perception of a chair as being static and structural. Wood is pushed to its limits by exposing its potential to be fluid, dynamic and continuous.
Symphony attains a balance between form and function, art and design, positive and negative space. Elements of movement, dance, sculpture, and continuity are infused into the design of Symphony.

More individuality in the designs.

I’ve noticed a strong display towards color and texture, modular furniture, increasing competition in lighting as well as a desire to make furniture for multi-use. Designers continue to expand upon what they envision is either necessary or missing to occupy our spaces and even though trends change the commitment to challenge yourself to produce something better will always be the same.

6-8 weeks.

Depending where I see the final design going, I start to envision what materials or combination of materials would work best for that particular design. I spend an equal amount of time understanding the restraints and advantages of each considered material combined with the cost and techniques of fabrication.

Furniture should be sleek, elegant, practical, but also represent and showcase uniqueness

I think that, initially, design sets the trends and then the trends set the designs.
Trends change the commitment to challenge yourself to produce something better

I’m not sure that technology has influenced my designs. However, some of the technologies have made it more feasible to fabricate my designs in a more timely manner.

AutoCAD and 3D Max.

I feel color is representative of how a person would want to be perceived and projects how the space is intended to be used.

What is the inspiration behind the design.

An increased appreciation and respect for the designer.

I prefer to work alone.

My career is, and continues to be, shaped by friendships and acquaintances, regardless of how brief they might be. Every brief conversation with another designer/architect/artist/client adds to my knowledge base on what designs I could generate based on anyone’s lifestyle – from simple elegance to artfully luxurious.

There are too many to list here.

First of all, I would not call myself a master designer. To be honest, my skills were developed by a series of trial and error due to my inherent trait of being a perfectionist.

I would like to meet and speak with Michelangelo.

I do not consider myself famous. I do think that I have received recognition for my designs.

I favor neutrals instead of bold colors. My favorite place is Vienna in the spring. I love Mediterranean food and Italian fashion.

I designed a chair with symmetrical lines and made of wood. It has a lot of negative space and someone thought it was a desk for a child.

My day is great when the concept is materialized into something I can touch and see.

No. My parents are in science and finance, hence, the artistic gene must have been from my grandmother.

I think the future is daunting and I just hope that humanity survives.

All of my designs pieces have a sculptural quality to them; a statement frozen in material that yields a piece which brings a space to life. My furniture is bespoke and the goal is for each design to be a statement piece.

When I completed my degree in Architecture, the economy in the United States was at a plateau and there were few opportunities in architectural firms. This period allowed me to explore whether my interests lie in architecture or furniture design. When I worked in a gallery, I was involved with the preparation of art installations. It was interesting to see that the artist's own perspective of their work is often different from that of the audience. The challenge is how to let the art communicate to the viewer the same emotion that the artist is trying to convey. The same holds true in designing furniture. I started my design studio when I returned to Los Angeles from New York. I work with different artisans in Los Angeles in making the conceptual design evolve into a piece of furniture that elicits a reaction.

Being a designer gives me the fulfillment of creating pieces of furniture that are sleek and elegant, and that represent and showcase uniqueness. Through design, I apply a minimalist approach that utilizes concepts of fluidity and balance expressed through the language of color, texture and shapes. In particular, my “Limited Collection” is driven by certain emotions that are expressed in the designs.chair

I never want to be considered a one-dimensional designer. The "Limited Collection" consists of sculptural edition pieces that are more about the expression of the material and less about everyday use. The "Home Collection" consists of pieces centered towards contemporary luxury with a timeless feel. Designing limited edition pieces is more fulfilling and enjoyable, hence, my desire is to unify elements of design and art in creating minimalist, contemporary pieces with a strong presence.

My favorite design is the Symphony chair, which is an entry in the A'Design Competition. Symphony attains a balance between form and function, art and design, positive and negative space. Elements of movement, dance, sculpture, and continuity are infused into the design of Symphony. The combination of metal and velvet fabric in Symphony embodies comfort and luxury

The first thing I designed was Belcanto, which was presented at the Salone Satellite. The goal behind this dramatic piece is to change the general perception of a chair as being static and structural. Wood is pushed to its limits by exposing its potential to be fluid, dynamic and continuous.

I am most creative when observing the landscape around me and asking myself, "What if???"

Proportion and a meld of sculptural and architectural elements are the focus in my designs. Each of these pieces comes from a desire to breathe life into design, thus, becoming more about the expression of the material and discovering its potential unrestrained by convention.

Excit. ement, optimism and a bit of anxiety.

Fulfillment, pride, a sense of accomplishment.

When a design truly reflects the concept and is appreciated by others, then the design is successful.

Uniqueness and esthetics.

There is a growing concern regarding the harmful effects of some materials on human health and the environment. We, as designers, should be aware of the environmental impacts resulting from specific technological processes and raw materials that are used.

My last exhibition was at the London Design Fair in 2019. The next exhibition will be at the Design Pier in New York. Participation at the Luxury Design Fair in New York is a potential possibility.

My career is, and continues to be, shaped by friendships and acquaintances, regardless of how brief they might be. Every brief conversation with another designer/architect/artist/client adds to my knowledge base on what designs I could generate based on anyone’s lifestyle – from simple elegance to artfully luxurious.

I live in Los Angeles, California. Designing while living in Los Angeles has the advantage of having a large community of artisans with whom I can collaborate. The disadvantage is the high cost of fabrication due primarily to labor cost and the increasing cost of materials.

I draw the concept in a notebook that is with me most of the time. Then I research the different materials, i.e., types of wood and metal, and the projected final weight of the designed piece. Then I look at different types of finishes and colors that will enhance the design. A rendering with measurements is prepared and then costing the entire piece is performed.

Design is a very competitive field. However, it is very fulfilling to create something and see it in a home or space. The negative aspects are having to deal with the business end and being asked to modify the design to fit the client's needs.

Creativity and marketing ability.

I am more productive late in the evening. Daytime is spent dealing with the more pragmatic aspects of a design business, and the creative work is done late in the evening.

It depends on the target user of the furniture piece and the type and size of the space. I would say, approximtely two to five days.

Can this be customized?

Primarily, interior designers and architectural design firms.

I will continue to have two lines of furniture – The “Limited Collection” and the “Home Collection.” The former consists of sculptural edition pieces that are more about the expression of the material and less about everyday use. The latter, on the other hand, is a collection of pieces centered towards contemporary luxury with a timeless feel.

I develop the designs myself.

I have a few works-in-progress, but I would rather not talk about them.

Via email to contact@jasonmizrahi.com or jmizdesigns@yahoo.com.

Alternatively, text or call +1-818-618-0410

Nothing more. Thank you.