Interviste con Simone Hutsch

I studied graphic design in Berlin, where I learned the fundamentals of visual communication, typography, and digital design. My education was supplemented with photography courses, which helped me develop a well-rounded approach to creativity.

I’m motivated by the idea of solving problems through creativity. Design allows me to blend aesthetics with functionality, creating solutions that are both beautiful and effective.

I became a designer because it felt like a natural extension of my interests and skills. I’ve always been creative throughout my whole life.

Young designers should be curious, constantly learn, and stay open to feedback. Keep pushing boundaries and don’t be scared of failing.

A good designer creates functional and visually appealing work. A great designer, however, pushes boundaries, evokes emotion, and creates memorable experiences that stand the test of time.

Good design is intuitive, solving the user’s problem seamlessly while being aesthetically pleasing. I evaluate design based on its usability, originality, and the emotional response it generates. If design is made good, sometimes it’s not even noticeable, like one navigating through an online shop, buttons are where one would expect them, the checkout is quick, etc.

Good design enhances user experience like I just mentioned in the previous question. It fosters brand loyalty and drives business success. It’s an investment that pays dividends in customer satisfaction and market differentiation.

Designing doesn’t feel like work it’s more like freedom, I just love what I do and that leads to motivation to never stop exploring.

To improve as a designer, one should stay updated with design trends, and continually practice, and take on diverse projects to challenge oneself and expand your skill set.

Something with sports (my other passion in life), maybe a PT?

Design is a problem-solving process that combines creativity and functionality to enhance user experience and interaction.

I constantly keep pushing myself and asking myself: Is this the best I can do in my current stage? Taking the extra mile is worth it and I keep challenging myself with things I’ve never done design-wise to get better and expand my skill set.

I think when it comes to presenting work, choose a medium that fits the project. Talk about it with passion, showcase the problem, the design process, and the solution’s impact.

A new exhibition would be great but first I want to finish a new series. I’m currently looking into a new series of surreal budlings in surreal landscapes, I want to combine a bit more nature photography I did during my last long holiday in America with my buildings. There’s a lot of Photoshop work to be done still.

I’d like to create work that not only stands the test of time but also contributes to peoples happiness.

Good design helps to create a better society by improving functionality, accessibility, and aesthetic value in everyday objects and environments.

A new photo series that merges nature and architecture.

In my day-to-day job, I work in healthcare design and it always makes me happy when we have projects coming into the agency that lead to improving people's lives/making things more accessible.

I’d like to see a better work-life-balance.

AI is a big thing that’s currently happening.

I start new design projects with thorough research and understanding the client’s needs and goals, followed by brainstorming, looking for inspiration and sketching ideas digitally.

Technology plays a crucial role in design, enabling innovation, precision, and new possibilities that were previously unimaginable.

I use a variety of design software of the Adobe Creative Suite.

I’m inspired and motivated. I’m looking carefully into it to understand why it’s so successful and how I can incorporate similar excellence in my work.

I developed my skills through continuous practice, learning from critiques, and staying updated with the latest design trends and technologies.

I would love to meet and discuss design with Jessica Walsh.

While awards and recognition are gratifying, they come with the pressure to continually meet high expectations. However, I embrace it as motivation to keep improving.

My favorite color is blue, favorite place is Berlin, favorite food is a banana, favorite thing is my bike, I don’t have a favourite season, and favorite brand is Nike.

We once had a client that judged my website design by printing it out. He decided that the colour of his text marker is so great that he’d like to have some words highlighted on the actual site as well. Also, all the type was too small to read as he printed the whole site on one A4 sheet.

I feel so alive when diving into new projects, especially those that challenge me to solve meaningful problems—like finding ways to make content more accessible to the audience. It's incredibly inspiring to see other designers' projects; their creativity fuels my passion and pushes me to aim higher.

As a child, I was always drawing and building things. It was clear early on that I had a passion for creating, which pointed towards a future in design.

Not sure if humanity will still exist by then…

I’ve studied graphic design, I was always really creative. However I never dreamed of being an artist/ designer.

Design is about reimagining and transforming spaces to evoke new ways of seeing and experiencing the world, solving problems and making content accessible. It's a blend of creativity and storytelling.

I love designing and photographing surreal architectural compositions as well as creating brand identities. These works allow me to push the boundaries of reality and explore the interplay between structure and imagination.

I enjoy working with digital tools like Photoshop but I also love experimenting with traditional print techniques such as screen printing or generally different paper textures.

In the evenings after a good day outside. Coming home and explore on my own how I can transform buildings through my photography and editing techniques.

Some kind of freedom, calmness and happiness.

When my designs are realized, I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. It's rewarding to see my imaginative concepts come to life and resonate with viewers.

A design is successful when it captures attention, evokes emotion, and challenges conventional perceptions. It should invite viewers to see the world in a new way. Simplicity is key.

I first consider its visual impact and originality. The design should be thought-provoking and technically well-executed.

Designers have a responsibility to inspire and innovate while considering the social and environmental impact of their work. Ethical and sustainable practices are essential in the design process.

I just recently had one in London (8th June 2024) which was really exciting. Next one will need to be planned soon.

My inspiration comes from urban landscapes, modern architecture, and geometric forms. I feed my creativity by traveling, exploring new cities, and continuously experimenting with new techniques.

My design style is surreal, minimalist, colourful and geometric – a little bit ‘Accidentally Wes Anderson’ like. This style evolved from my graphic design background, I love colours and shapes and creating a surreal world.

I’m originally from Berlin, Germany but moved to London in 2016 to broaden my horizon. I guess there’s a certain element of organisation and symmetry in my work due to being German?

I collaborate with companies by understanding their vision and translating it into visually compelling and imaginative designs. Effective communication and a shared creative vision are key to successful projects.

My design process involves exploring architectural spaces, photographing interesting structures, and then manipulating these images digitally to create surreal compositions.

Art and design are two different things and everyone that is in the creative industry should ask themselves the question of whether you come first or your client. If you’re willing to put your clients/business needs first, be a designer, if you want to express yourself through your work, be an artist.

I mean I love what I do. Work not always feels like it’s work. Sometimes however putting the client first (and not me) can still feel hard. Tight deadlines are always challenging as well.

My golden rule is to stay true to your creative vision and not be afraid to challenge conventional norms. Innovation often comes from taking risks and exploring new territories.

My toolbox includes my camera, any Adobe Software and a lot of scrolling through design blogs for inspiration.

I manage my time by setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, and being consistent in my process, everyday a little bit. Coming back with fresh eyes in the morning is key.

The timeline for designing a piece can vary, but typically it involves weeks of exploration, photography, and post-production editing for a series in my case.

Can you just ‘quickly’ help me with something, it’s real quick, just 5 minutes…

ADOBE, DELL, SLG CREATIVE AGENCY MANCHESTER

A new exhibition would be great but first I want to finish a new series. I’m currently looking into a new series of surreal budlings in surreal landscapes, I want to combine a bit more nature photography I did during my last long holiday in America with my buildings. There’s a lot of Photoshop work to be done still.

In my day-to-day job I collaborate with many people but the photographs are done alone.

See question 36

People can contact me through my website https://www.heysupersimi.com email heysupersimi@gmail.com or social media @heysupersimi.

Porto’s architecture has a charm that feels almost frozen in time. The pattern of the tiles give the buildings such a unique character. When you’re in the city you can feel the surreal, dreamlike atmosphere and I wanted to capture that within my work.

The pastel palette mirrors the light-hearted spirit of Porto and its colorful facades. I chose these tones to bring out Porto’s vibrant charm and create an inviting, dreamlike world within each frame.

I left the buildings quite raw and gave them only a minimal retouch. So pretty much every imperfection is still visible to the viewer, the background/sky however is strongly retouched which creates the dreamlike atmosphere.

I looked for structures that offered unique perspectives, such as inspiring stonework around the windows, repetitive shapes or unexpected patterns. These compositional elements allowed me to create striking images that are both true to the architecture and reimagined in my own visual language.

Working in narrow, bustling streets was a challenge, but it encouraged me to adapt. You get to be creative with your point of view, having a zoom lens is key. Sometimes there is a better view to a building a bit further away when you least expect it.

The clouds contribute to the dreamlike atmosphere, lending an ethereal, almost weightless quality to the buildings. By incorporating a soft sky and subtle cloud details, I was able to elevate the series from simple architectural photography to a more evocative, surreal interpretation of Porto.

I didn’t have to remove things from the buildings, the raw shot of them are beauty in itself. I removed the surroundings to isolate each building so the viewer is only focused on just one building at the time. Of course there is always some tiding to do, such as remove wires, lamp posts or tree branches.

The golden gutters were a way to add a subtle layer of magic to the images. Porto’s architecture has such rich textures and ornate details, and by accentuating certain elements in gold, I could play with viewers’ expectations and draw attention to smaller, often-overlooked features. This touch of whimsy aligns with my vision of Porto as a city of hidden wonders, enhancing the fairytale quality of each photograph.

Wes Anderson’s meticulous symmetry and unique color schemes have always inspired me, but I wanted to interpret these elements in a way that felt authentic to Porto. I took inspiration from his style in terms of colors, but I stayed true to my minimalist aesthetic and passion for surrealism. This balance allowed me to create images that nod to Anderson’s style while distinctly reflecting my own artistic voice.

I hope this series inspires other photographers to see historical architecture as both documentation and artistic expression. By blending minimalism, surrealism, and storytelling, I aim to contribute to a fresh perspective on architectural photography. For Porto, I hope these images offer an enduring, imaginative record of the city’s beauty and heritage, encouraging viewers to appreciate its unique architecture through a new, more poetic lens.