Interview with Maziar Mohit
Maziar Mohit is a designer residing in Toronto, Canada. He is a senior partner in I and M design, a multidisciplinary design studio with a presence in Toronto, Canada and Krakow, Poland.
Designer Interview
26 June 2024
I am a multidisciplinary designer with a Master's in Design Strategy and an architecture and interior design background. With over a decade of experience, my work blends creative vision with practical solutions to create impactful and sustainable designs.
A passion for problem-solving and creativity drove me to become a designer. From an early age, I was captivated by how design could transform spaces and objects, leading me to pursue a career where I could combine artistic vision with practical application. My academic journey further solidified my desire to create designs that make a positive impact.
A passion for problem-solving and creativity drove me to become a designer. From an early age, I was captivated by how design could transform spaces and objects, leading me to pursue a career where I could combine artistic vision with practical application. My academic journey further solidified my desire to create designs that make a positive impact.
I & M Design is a versatile design studio that offers a wide range of creative solutions tailored to meet the needs of both new and established clients. Our services encompass design strategy and innovation, product design, and architectural services.
Our architectural services include unique projects such as prefab structures, retail environments, custom fixtures/furniture, and trade show booth displays. We operate in Canada, Brazil, Poland and the Middle East, delivering high-quality, sustainable design solutions that reflect our commitment to excellence and innovation.
Our architectural services include unique projects such as prefab structures, retail environments, custom fixtures/furniture, and trade show booth displays. We operate in Canada, Brazil, Poland and the Middle East, delivering high-quality, sustainable design solutions that reflect our commitment to excellence and innovation.
For me, design is a powerful tool for positive change. It is a harmonious blend of creativity and functionality. It's about solving problems and creating solutions that are both aesthetically pleasing and practically effective. Design transcends mere decoration; it involves understanding human needs and behaviours and crafting experiences and environments that enhance our daily lives.
I enjoy finding cross-disciplinary design solutions for complex problems. Tackling multifaceted challenges allows me to use my diverse skills and creativity to develop innovative and effective solutions. Whether it's a unique architectural project, a comprehensive branding strategy, or a sustainable product design, I thrive on creating cohesive and impactful designs that address intricate issues. This approach satisfies my passion for problem-solving and enables me to make meaningful contributions to a wide range of projects.
One of my favourite designs is Restronauts, a loyalty-based program I helped develop to support local restaurants through community-driven crowdfunding. This initiative was significant to me because it addressed multiple complex challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. To create a sustainable solution, the project required integrating design thinking, business strategy, and community engagement.
Restronauts allows customers to invest in their favourite dining spots, ensuring the restaurants can maintain operations and adhere to higher standards of sustainability and health. This project exemplifies my passion for cross-disciplinary design, as it combines aspects of digital platform design, community building, and sustainable practices.
Restronauts allows customers to invest in their favourite dining spots, ensuring the restaurants can maintain operations and adhere to higher standards of sustainability and health. This project exemplifies my passion for cross-disciplinary design, as it combines aspects of digital platform design, community building, and sustainable practices.
My first design for a company was a flat-pack office system with minimal hardware requirements. This multi-configuration system included a desk, storage units, filing boxes, and space dividers. Each component was designed to be reconfigurable and easy to assemble with minimal tools. The goal was to develop a budget-friendly office solution tailored for startups and young companies. This system was designed to grow alongside the businesses, adapting to their evolving needs while remaining cost-effective and efficient. This project allowed me to blend practicality with innovation, creating a versatile office environment that could easily be customized and expanded.
One of my favourite materials to work with is bamboo. It offers versatility, durability, and a unique aesthetic, making it ideal for various design applications, from furniture to architectural elements. Bamboo's fast growth rate and sustainability align with my commitment to environmentally responsible design practices.
I am particularly enthusiastic about 3D printing in terms of technology. This technology allows for rapid prototyping and the precise and efficient creation of complex, customized components. It opens up new possibilities in design, enabling the production of unique and intricate structures that would be challenging to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods.
Platforms like Shapr3D and Blender are also favorites of mine. These tools provide powerful parametric design and 3D modelling capabilities, allowing me to explore innovative design solutions and optimize them for performance and aesthetics.
I am particularly enthusiastic about 3D printing in terms of technology. This technology allows for rapid prototyping and the precise and efficient creation of complex, customized components. It opens up new possibilities in design, enabling the production of unique and intricate structures that would be challenging to achieve with traditional manufacturing methods.
Platforms like Shapr3D and Blender are also favorites of mine. These tools provide powerful parametric design and 3D modelling capabilities, allowing me to explore innovative design solutions and optimize them for performance and aesthetics.
I feel the most creative when I am engaged in collaborative brainstorming sessions. Exchanging ideas and perspectives with others sparks new thoughts and inspires innovative solutions. This dynamic environment, combined with the energy of collective creativity, often leads to breakthrough concepts and designs.
During the design process, I prioritize functionality and user experience. It is crucial to ensure that the design meets the practical needs of the users while providing an intuitive and seamless interaction. I focus on creating solutions that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional and user-friendly.