Interview with Sofía Enríquez

I have always liked creativity and creating - since I was a kid I enjoyed drawing, painting, hand-crafting... I spent a lot of time imagining as well - industrial design engineering was the perfect combo for me because it allowed me to do both. I believe when choosing what to study you need to find a degree were you will be allowed of doing what you like in an actual job, so that's why I didn't have to give a second thought of choosing this degree.

Three aspects I give the most importance to when designing are: The concept one wants to approach (the ideation and brainstorm)The prototypes (3D models, real models, technical planes, drawing, mock-ups)The implementation (taking care of the final touches and details)It all depends on what am I designing to decide whether I will be relying on a physical or CAD model.

The initial idea and having the final project are both the most exciting phases for me on the journey of design. Having something new to design just feels so inspiring - my mind overflows with ideas and thoughts - it all feels just so revitalizing. And when the project is done, the feeling of satisfaction is very exhilarating.

As I have mentioned before, as a kid I spent a lot of time imagining. Now as a grown-up, I believe imagination is a very good work out for the mind, it also helps creativity as well and helps to build clever solutions that are unconventional. My journey in the field of design is very recent but I am a huge believer that everyone can teach us something if we have our mind open, so throughout my life, I have been able to learn from my family, teachers, co-workers, bosses, classmates, friends and even from interviews I have read - there is always something new to learn!

For now I want to gain experience in the design field, in a short future I would like to expand my studies in design and in a long run - when I have the experience and the resources - I'd like to work as an independent designer.

To learn the most you can: be curious and investigate about topics that interest you, read books, expand your knowledge, take courses, learn new skills, learn computer programs, experiment with new materials, experiment with different tools. And the most important: never give up, keep trying and not everyone might like your style but there is always someone that will.

Take big chances even if they seem unreachable. Start and actually finish what you started.

I recently started a new job so I am still in training. I try to learn as much as I can, ask too many questions and take a lot notes - haha! In my free time I sometimes surf the web to see what's out there in the design field, I enjoy reading and painting as well - this is what I do in relation to design. When I decide to call it a day I try to relax myself by wrapping up my thoughts and having a good sleep - I give a lot of importance to rest.

I usually stick to my own personal design style, but I as well take what I like from other designs and adjust them to my own. Design trends guide you to what people are into at a present time, but it might not always suit your style.

A product or project is well designed when it fills a need or desire, when it is functional and aesthetic at the same time. Furthermore, I would say that a good design is defined by how easy is it to understand how it works and, of course, if it actually works.

When the final design is satisfying and there is nothing else that could be added or improved - but this doesn't mean that in the future the design can't be improved. You know a design has been a success when people understand it, understand how to use it, know how to get the best of it, like it and are willing to acquire it.

A plaza I designed during my internship with architects, because it was the first time I designed something that bigA table which I named "Anexo", because it won an innovation contest in my universityA representation of the skin of a shark for biomimetic textiles, because it was the most challenging assignment I had during my exchange semester in France.And Notch tea packaging because of how far it reached.

Karim Rashid, Zaha Hadid, Bjarke Ingels, Ilse Crawford, Philippe Starck and Emiliano Godoy

There are so many cities I like I couldn't be able to pick just one. Sometimes music takes part of my creative process - when I want to have some background sound to lighten me up; sometimes it doesn't - mostly when I want to concentrate in silence. My culture has had an effect on my design in the way I create solutions for problems that arise - sometimes using high tech is expensive so I figure out alternative methods. I am in Mexico now, working as a design engineer for an enterprise that makes personalized doors for exportation. I believe good design brings an addition to the customers' experience of acquiring a product or hiring a service. Some small and positively incremental changes I introduced to my life thanks to design are: to pay attention to small details and be aware of distribution, ergonomics, appearance... And to try to reach the root of the problem when I don't like a design (I ask myself what might not be working)

I like organization, being chill and open to dialogue. I am very goal-focused, I like to concentrate and avoid procrastinating, because I tend to get stress when due lines are close and the work isn't finished. I believe it is easy to work with me if there is respect. I would say the core challenge of my profession is balancing the idea you have about a project with what the client - or your boss - actually wants. I believe diversification of personal traits are something good since this diversification is what allows us to have so many different design options and inventions. But I think all good designers, artists or architects should agree in staying humble and working hard

I haven't been able to give back something in return to the community that fostered me - yet. But of course I would like to be able to do that. For instance, there is a community of natives called "Tarahumara" in the state where I live, you can often see them selling tea leaves they have collected in plastic or paper bags, I once thought about collaborating with them - making a package for them (such as Notch maybe) that would increase their sale prices and allow them to have a bigger profit. Because of regulations and lack of money, I haven't started the project, but if it ever comes a chance, I'd love to be able to help out communities through my designs.

Participating in A' Design Award has been such an amazing experience.I worked hard trying to submit my design the best way possibleIt gave me a panorama of participating in something worldwideI took a bet on my work and reaffirmed my confidenceDesign competitions are important and relevant since people can get to see what other designers are up to - what new products are out there. I feel honored about being the Designer of the Day. I blows my mind to think it had been just a dream and now - at my young age - it has come true. Thank you for reading me!

I am in love of the idea of envisioning something and actually being able to create it.

I chose to become one.

During my studies I have designed a little bit of everything: furniture, packaging, objects, lamps, graphics, among some others, but I would like to specialize whether in packaging or product design.

Work hard, try your best and search for opportunities.

The way they solve problems, if they pay attention to small details, if they think further ahead, if their designs give a "plus" to the users...

The small details and the additional attributes incorporated into the design are what, in my opinion, make the difference between something good and something great.

Good design makes the difference, whether it: solves problems, saves money, attracts clients, makes work easier, adds beauty. Any investment in design now is an investment made thinking on the future.

Ludic design for Flying Tiger Copenhagen.

To be part of a design studio.

No secret ingredient, just being myself and letting my instincts guide me.

Karim Rashid, Zaha Hadid, Bjarke Ingels, Ilse Crawford, Philippe Starck and Emiliano Godoy

Bobble by Karim Rashid, because of its ergonomic figure and cheerful colors but mostly because of its mission to eliminate the outrageous waste of single-serve, disposable beverages
Getsuen chair by Masanori Umeda, because of its beauty and uniqueness and the way he achieved to copy nature into something of everyday use.

Notch, the tea packaging is my favorite design until now because of the high impact it has reached, being published in Packaging of the World website and Favourite Design annuary in 2015 and now having won in A' Design Award. I think it is an innovative packaging for tea and an attractive way to display a product.

By always continue learning and working on developing new skills or perfecting the ones they already have. Plus keeping positive, since attitude makes the difference.

I would have probably studied languages.

The art of creating, improving or transforming with the intention of finding solutions to problems.

A professor who believed deeply in this specific design (Notch) when I first showed it to him as a school project.

I believe it was resilience - trying again and again even if I had failed before - and determination - keeping focused on achieving goals - that helped me arrive where I am now.

Mostly learning to take criticism as a fundamental part of improvement rather than being demotivating.

The most understandable way possible and keeping it simple, less is more.

I haven't think of it yet! But people should definitely expect to keep seeing more of my designs in the future, whether it is under a brand's name or my own name.

To make a positive impact in people that have a direct interaction with my designs.

To keep giving the best of me as a designer, because it is while giving the 100% of one's self that results will arrive.

By finding or creating solutions for society's problems.

I am doing a Mondrian-inspired 3D puzzle that is composed of eight equally shaped elements made of wood and hand-painted, that can be assembled into a cube by following the form of the elements and their patterns.

A plaza I designed during my internship with architects, because it was the first time I designed something that big
A table which I named "Anexo", because it won an innovation contest in my university
A representation of the skin of a shark for biomimetic textiles, because it was the most challenging assignment I had during my exchange semester in France.

The disposable culture being over! We need to be conscious about all the waste we are generating with short-living items.

Design field, in my opinion, will keep moving forward into the technology of things, artificial intelligence, alternative energies, eco-friendly solutions and virtual experiences.

Depends on the project. Sometimes a few weeks, sometimes a few months.

By deciding a concept and gathering ideas.

Recognise the value in something and apply it to your designs.

I think both. Since design can be developed from social, technological, environmental, economical, political, demographic or ethic tendencies. But also if a design is great, it can create a trend.

It takes a very important role, since some way or another I use it as part of my designs.

For software I mainly use Autodesk and Adobe programs, and for equipment I use my laptop and wacom.

I think they have an important role since they are directly related with senses, which at the same time are related with the psychological aspects of a person.

I would like people to ask the background story of it.

How did they come up with that? - haha! I believe it is great how people can conceive something you have never even thought it could exist.

A friend I made in high school, she studied graphic design. I have had the opportunity to work with her in school projects and in actual work and I believe our personalities, knowledges and skills help complement the work of the other.

The architects at Equidna, where I made an internship. Because they thought a lot about everything - design, culture, work.

Design as Art by Bruno Munari and No Logo by Naomi Klein.

During my university studies, in extra curricular courses - such as painting and sewing classes, and in the different jobs and internships I have had.

I would love to meet, talk and discuss with Coco Chanel.

To be honest, it is sometimes difficult to believe that I am not even 25 years old and I have reached this far. I feel so grateful with God for giving me the skills, the health and the opportunity to have reached this point, but I am aware that there is still so much to learn and so much improvement to make, I just want to keep working towards it to become better.

color - burgundy
place - anywhere with a nice view
food - definitely tacos
season - winter
thing - my pillow maybe - haha!
brand - Amora, I just love their containers

When I was in my exchange semester in France, I had an assignment that consisted on recreating the scales of a shark's skin - yes apparently mako sharks do have scales! There were four of us and nobody was being able to do it because of the complexity of the design. As for myself it was even harder for me because the only CAD program available in the university's computers was Solidworks and I didn't know how to use it back then. Eventually I got an alternative solution and came the next day with a 3D model I had made in my laptop using 3Ds Max. They were pretty surprised!

What makes a day great as a designer is when that one idea finally pops in your mind, with that idea in mind the rest of the days just flow smoothly and great by themselves, until the design is complete.

I don't know about the great part, but as for becoming a designer I think it was obvious, as a child I spent a lot of time drawing, painting and hand-crafting.

Maybe humans will have figured out a way of living outside of Earth.

I am a young designer and I believe I still have so much to learn, but being able to share these thoughts with the readers makes me feel full of gratitude and inspires me to keep working hard. Thank you for reading.

I just graduated from university, so I am more of a freelancer in my free time right now. I do graphic design for those who contact me and as for my personal projects I have been mostly experimenting with painting techniques.

The art of creating, improving or transforming with the intention of finding solutions to problems, needs or desires.

Products and packaging.

Notch, the tea packaging is my favorite design until now because of the high impact it has reached, being published in Packaging of the World website and Favourite Design annuary in 2015 and now having won in A' Design Award.

On 2015, I was an intern in an architecture studio, the most symbolic things I designed for them are: their logo and a plaza for a contest in which they were participating.

Autodesk and Adobe programs.

When I feel the most creative is after seeing an art exhibition, a great design or a delightful construction - especially when I get to regard them in person.

How it will work and what will the final aspect look like.

Like a hamster-wheel brain - haha! I am full of thoughts and ideas, I feel really inspired and focused on what I am working on while time just seems to fly by.

The feeling of accomplishment. It is really satisfying to finally conclude what you had been working on. It is as if my mind sighed, took a step back and gazed at the final result while smiling.

When it fills someone's need or desire. When it is functional and aesthetic at the same time.

If it is easy to understand and if it actually works.

To make people's lives easier while avoiding to harm the environment.

I think the design field has plunged into the technology of things, artificial intelligence now more than ever and looking towards alternative energies and eco friendly solutions.

I haven't had design exhibitions, but I'd like to hold a design exhibition the next time there is a design event in my city.

I get easily inspired, so design inspiration for me always come from different sources: from everyday life, while taking a shower, from web surfing, by seeing art, when spending time in nature, by sharing ideas... I feed my creativity by reading, wondering, imagining, doing research...

I am still working on defining my design style, to be honest.

I live in Chihuahua, a city in the north of Mexico. I don't believe the heritage of my country affects my design style. Cons: In my city, there is not much design appreciation yet. Pros: There is a lot of cultural heritage were you can gather inspiration.

I haven't worked with companies - yet!

Design may sometimes seem as a luxury, but rather than that, it is the element that makes the difference. Companies can select a good designer by seeing their portfolio and speaking to them to get to know them better and see if their style and way of working suites that of the company.

I don't really have an established design process. But most of the time I get a concept, then think of ideas and search for inspiration, afterwards I start sketching, 3D designing or prototyping. Next I work on the final design. I may make some changes while going through these steps and I also iterate the steps the times necessary. The last part is giving the final touches.

My laptop, wacom, sketch pad, stylograph and design programs.

Right now I am doing an internship in continuous improvement and working on my thesis to get my engineering degree, so whenever I am not doing one or the other I like reading, working on personal projects, learning french and going out to have fun.

I - as a young designer - can suggest to other young, up and coming designers to be curious and search, read, learn for you. Don't expect that school is going to teach you everything, because there are so many things you can discover outside.

Positives: You can create many of the things you can imagine and find clever solutions to problems. Negatives: Not everybody is going to love what you do and sometimes critic is hard and demotivating.

To recognise the value in something, and apply it to your designs.

Observing, understanding, visualizing, creating, problem-solving and resilience.

It all depends on what I am designing: Illustrator and Photoshop for graphic design. 3Ds Max, Rhinoceros and Showcase for virtual designs of objects (or 3D printed prototypes). For physical prototypes I use cutter, ruler, pencil, brushes, paint, I enjoy working with my hands... But for the real and final objects I create the technical plans and go with, say, carpenters, electricians... I use internet as a main source of inspiration.

I am quite an organized person, I like to make - mental or written - schedules and set due dates to myself.

It all depends on the object and the time available. Sometimes weeks, sometimes months.

There is not a particular question I get asked.

Being an intern in the architecture studio I previously mentioned. My bosses were certainly a source of everyday inspiration and knowledge, I was able to improve a lot in that period of time. I am so happy and grateful that I got to live that experience.

Friends and acquaintances .

Anything that is free-style design, because it is there where I can really express myself without any restrictions.

I would like to find a job where I can design and maybe later on open my own design studio. I would like to keep learning, do a master degree or a diplomat.

I design by myself.

I am doing a Mondrian-inspired 3D puzzle that is composed of eight equally shaped elements made of wood and hand-painted, that can be assembled into a cube by following the form of the elements and their patterns.

Through my personal Behance or LinkedIn: Sofía Enríquez

I am a young designer and I believe I still have so much to learn, but being able to share these thoughts with the readers makes me feel full of gratitude and inspires me to keep working hard. Thank you for reading.